ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the Labour Party's traditional diplomatic thoughts, and tries to explain the origin and development of the 'ethical dimension' in Blair's political philosophy. It then analyses the influence of the 'ethical dimension in the several military operations which Blair's government lias undertaken. When the Labour Party first came to power its members may have expected some changes in the relationships that the UK forges with other nations, changes that might give the government a more ethical image. With Blair in office, however, Britain soon took part in five international military operations, and continued to export a large amount of military weapons, which went against the Labour Party's ethical foreign policy. The Labour Party holds that the UK should keep its status as a major weapons exporter, and should maintain a powerful defence industry. Arms sales are an important financial resource for the UK, whose economy has been sluggish, and no government would forego such a profitable sector.
