Leading From The Front
The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP
United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary on Britain's Essential Role in Supporting Ukraine
The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP, UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, addressed a private dinner hosted by the International Churchill Society and the Royal United Services Institute.
About The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP
I was born in Lewisham Hospital, my mother worked as a midwife at the hospital where I was born and my father worked to build up a successful small business. Seeing how hard both my parents worked showed me the importance of supporting both businesses and the public sector.
I followed family tradition and joined the army.
At university, I met my wife Susie, and we now have two lovely, lively sons Freddy and Rupert.
In 2012 Boris Johnson appointed me to the Chairmanship of the London Fire Authority. I worked with senior officers to implement reforms to the London Fire Brigade that both saved money and improved performance.
I was appointed as Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Affairs on 6 September 2022.
Watch the Foreign Minister's Remarks
Meet the Evening's Hosts
This event was jointly hosted in London by the International Churchill Society and the Royal United Services Institute.
Chairman
Laurence geller cbe
Laurence Geller CBE is Chairman of the International Churchill Society
chairman
Sir David Lidington KCB CBE
Sir David Lidington KCB CBE is Chairman of the Royal United Services Institute
Director-General
Dr Karin von Hippel
Dr Karin von Hippel is Director General of the Royal United Services Institute
The private dinner was held at the Army and Navy Club in London.
Leading from the Front
On April 3rd, the International Churchill Society (ICS) and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) hosted an exclusive dinner at the Army and Navy Club in London with special guest and keynote speaker The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.
The Foreign Secretary discussed the United Kingdom’s leadership in supporting Ukraine in its war against the illegal Russian invasion. Supplying intelligence, military training, and equipment from the earliest days, the British government has resolutely supported Ukraine from the first days of the invasion.
Invoking the legacy of the Second World War, the Foreign Secretary highlighted the immense importance of a coalition of countries working in partnership to provide Ukraine with the tools its needs to defend its sovereignty.
Winston Churchill
All the greatest things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: Freedom; Justice; Honour; Duty; Mercy; Hope.
14 May 1947, United Europe Meeting, Albert Hall, London
About the Evening
'It was a pleasure to host my friend James Cleverly MP, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs at a private dinner yesterday on behalf of The International Churchill Society (Official) alongside Sir David Lidington KCB CBE, Chair of Royal United Services Institute.
Last year we paid tribute to His Excellency Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his leadership on behalf of the Ukrainian people in the face of Russia’s unprovoked invasion with the Sir Winston Churchill Leadership Award at a ceremony in Downing Street.
This year, we want to reflect on diplomatic efforts at home. The UK's role on the world stage has never been more important, and we can all take pride in the leadership and commitment of our Foreign Secretary and all that work in Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.'
Laurence Geller CBE
Chairman
The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP
The State Of International Security
'The essence of the international security threat that we face today is familiar and indeed would have been familiar to your founder (of RUSI), the first Duke of Wellington. Wellington faced a single, albeit significant empire building autocrats. And now, 200 years later, we face a number of actively hostile states keen on expansion that wish to do us and our allies no good, and beyond the threat that hostile states pose to us and indeed the wider world, we are once again taking part in a global contest.'
Free markets
'The free market approach, which brings goods to market that consumers actually want to buy, has triumphed over the dead hand of the planned economy.
But the advances in democracy and freedom have not kept pace. So that brings you back to hostile state actors. They have become more sophisticated. They have become more ruthless in resorting to brazen acts of terrorism. And potentially, they have become more disruptive and more menacing and more deadly.'
About the Host Organisations
International Churchill Society
The International Churchill Society (ICS), founded in 1968 shortly after Churchill’s death, is the world’s preeminent member organisation dedicated to preserving the historic legacy of Sir Winston Churchill. At a time when leadership is challenged at every turn, that legacy looms larger and remains more relevant than ever.
Royal United Services Institute
As an independent institution, we produce evidence-based research, publications and events on defence, security and international affairs to help build a safer UK and a more secure, equitable and stable world.
Join us for the
40th International Churchill Conference
5-7 OCTOBER 2023
Edinburgh, Scotland
Media Inquiries
Winston Churchill
In this island we have today achieved in a high degree the blessings of civilisation. There is freedom; there is law; there is love of country…there is a widening prosperity. There are unmeasured opportunities of correcting abuses and making further progress.
2 July 1930, Bristol
Mary Churchill accompanying her father Winston Churchill on the HMS Duke of York, shortly before leaving Britain for the US in December 1941. © Imperial War Museum (H 16478)
