How foreign affairs could shape votes at home

In a lecture in London, David Miliband went much further.

He said a Labour government should indeed forge a new security pact with the EU.

But it should deal not just with defence and foreign affairs but also climate security, food security, health security and energy security.

He said the UK should agree a new high-level political declaration with the EU, setting out a framework for future cooperation.

That could involve regular dialogue between British and EU foreign affairs officials, the foreign secretary attending some meetings of EU counterparts, joint peacekeeping operations and defence procurement arrangements.

The problem is that while diplomats in London told me they liked much of Lord Cameron’s speech, they also know he might not be in office for long.

The foreign secretary is trying to score fast diplomatic runs before he loses his wicket. But will his policy ideas survive the general election?