Can We Be Great Again?: Why a Dangerous World Needs Britain

by Jeremy Hunt

Former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt's World Power is a thought-provoking book about our place in the world in the century ahead.

Looking back at his time as this country's global ambassador, he is Britain a minor player, marginalized by our departure from the EU and dwarfed by the rise of new economies? Or is there a major role for us to play in a rapidly changing international order? If it is the latter, what is the evidence that we were capable of doing that beyond a nostalgic desire for influence and patriotic tub-thumping?

Hunt observes how Britain has continued to exert global influence despite losing its empire and economic dominance. Where does our influence lie in democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights? Or climate change, promoting global health security and dealing with the excesses of the internet? He argues we have acquired authority on the global stage that is about much more than history and informs a positive vision of the future. He writes with passion and clarity, interweaving stories about his time in Government with questions he can now ask publicly about our attitude to China, Tech, Security, Climate Change and all aspects of our global role.

Genres: Politics

Audible Audio

Published June 5, 2025

Reviews

[emaan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I complained a mere hour or two before starting this book to a dear friend on the phone that “I can’t read non-fiction.”

However, I was left dazzled by the engaging, honest, and reflective prose that made this book so easy and enjoyable to read.

Throughout were pragmatic, well-reasoned arguments that offered rational solutions and aspirations for the future (and, thankfully, weren’t weighed down by excessive jargon and statistics.) It was also fun to read the small tidbits that you’d never hear about publicly, namely, the behind-the-scenes of one of my all-time favourite gaffes: “My wife is Japanese.”

The unifying theme of the book was, of course, Britain, and where it stands in the world today. There’s a strange contrast where Britain maintains a respectable and influential role overseas, while, at home, declinist attitudes are (unsurprisingly) taking over. Younger generations (myself included, if only for a little while longer) joke about ‘being cooked’; meanwhile, older generations, I imagine, lament the economic freedoms that they [may] no longer have today.

Obviously, the book isn’t centred on how to fix the issues that exist within our borders (though the book does occasionally connect the two, particularly in the chapter on immigration – and in that chapter, he makes very reasonable arguments that our current government and Prime Minister should take note of). However, I think the way in which we present ourselves to the world starts with how we feel about ourselves at home. I don’t think it’s feasible for his vision of a more powerful Britain to play out if things don’t improve domestically – and I would maintain that the Conservative government of however many years, and of which he played a considerable role, are responsible for much of the relative decline and subsequent disillusionment that exists in Britain today. Perhaps a touch more self-reflection was needed?

Regardless, he did a tremendous job of pointing out where we are ahead of the curve, and why it’s not all cause for doom and gloom – and his general optimism was at the heart of why I enjoyed this book so much. He’s right that education is one of our greatest strengths, and that we must continue to invest in it in order to continue generating and attracting talent. However, I wonder whether he could have thought a bit more about how we retain said talent, since many young Britons (myself included) have left the UK to live and/or work elsewhere.

One his standout themes and chapters was on democracy. Grateful to have always lived in one, I naively pay less attention than I ought to to the alarmingly quiet decline of both democracy itself and support for it. Here, Hunt points out quite rightly how important of a role Britain can (and should) play in supporting and spreading liberal democracy – however difficult it may be.

I think my primary critique was that Hunt was perhaps too generous in his praise of Trump, especially given that part of the way Trump operates seems to stand in pretty stark opposition to his beliefs. I understand the need for cordiality, and, true, he did point out the negatives of Trump’s decisions, but I think there was room for considered critique (that needn’t set off any diplomatic alarms).

Ultimately, I think this book offered a refreshing perspective on the role Britain continues to play globally, as well as ways in which we can do, and be, better.

[Ed O'Ferrall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drawing from personal experience of 4 different ministerial portfolios, Hunt makes a compelling argument for every one of his proposed strategies. These are neither partisan or particularly flashy policies; but are instead thoughtful arguments for how Britain can leverage its unique position in the World to enhance human rights, asylum, industry, and technology both at home and abroad.

Some of the best narrative flow I’ve seen in non-fiction, and very well narrated by the author in the audiobook.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A shining book for rational optimism as a Brit in today's uncertainty. Really enjoyed this one.

[Andrew Braithwaite · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can We Be Great Again is an enjoyable, uplifting and helpful reminder that the UK is one of the best countries in the world: both for its citizens to live in; and as a force for the world. As Gok Wan famously said, ‘it’s all about the confidence’, and we’ve lost ours - but there’s plenty to suggest we shouldn’t have.

Once you get past the irony of a senior government minister for the last 15+ years writing a book on how he would fix the country… the greatest asset of this book is to serve as a concise reminder of all the things the UK is good at (which, one forgets given our constant focus on what we are not good or getting worse at). The UK is literally top 5, and commonly 2nd after the US, across so many crucial league tables: defence, technology ecosystem, universities, life sciences innovation, climate change action, professional services, free press, democratic freedoms, welfare support etc. We should do well to remember this, and be proud of it. There are after all, thousands spending their life-savings and risking their lives every day to reach our shores: they have good reason to try.

An interesting aspect of the book is its reference to the British Empire. Without the empire Britain wouldn’t have a fraction of the soft power it does today, and would not have grown half as prosperous if most of the world did not subscribe to the systems it spread: democracy, free trade, industrialisation etc. We owe much to our empire. Hunt clearly recognises the importance of empire to our success, referencing it often. It would have been refreshing if he didn’t feel the need to say “for all its faults…” (none of which are ever mentioned) every time he credited empire. One thing I would have liked to have seen stated with more confidence is: we should not feel guilt for benefiting off those systems that our ancestors created. Diplomacy and politics, indeed any man-made system must be fair (eg with rules) but not equitable (for we are none of us the same). Take sport as an example - should Michael Phelps feel guilt for being taller and having bigger feet than opponents; should East Africans feel guilty about being better suited to long distance running? Clearly not. And it’s time people stopped feeling guilty about the UK benefiting from the systems it created, in a fair but not (in any way) equitable world order.

I agree completely with the view that the key to growth and reversal of our ‘decline’ lies in technology. And this is the part of the book I’ll ponder the most after reading. We are already a leader, and the government (whose key priority is allegedly growth) should take note and realise that tech growth is the key unlock to a successful 21st century Britain. And if that is the case we need to create a business-friendly and investor-friendly environment (eg don’t put up taxes…again and scare off the rich) and need to start talking about tech in the same national conversation as the NHS, immigration and for two weeks-a-year, Wimbledon.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mostly enjoyable read, and a man that ultimately isn’t afraid to hold his hands up and admit his own shortcomings in government.

But it was difficult to take too seriously, being told how we fix the country by a man that’s been at the highest level of British Government for the best part of 15 years.

I respect Jeremy Hunt, I appreciated a lot of the points made in this book and agree that the key to the future lies in being at the forefront of technology. But I felt it came across as someone who’d been in opposition for the entirety of his political career, as opposed to the reality of where he’s actually been.

[Tom Moody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many political commentators analyse the dire state of the western world, few are willing to offer solutions or directions to something better.

In that sense, Jeremy’s book is an important and positive message in an era of declinism.

[Chris Bullock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this very interesting. It shed light on a lot of areas where Britain is ahead of the field which I was not aware of.

[Tici · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Gripping but also has interesting ideas.