Why does Britain seem unable to look inward rather than outward?
Short answerThe real choice is not simply inward or outward: Britain must balance nearby commitments with global interests and can gain by acting as a bridge between them.
NotesThe familiar continental-versus-blue-water debate is a tension between local and global commons. Britain looks outward in both cases; the difference is whether policy emphasizes nearby European neighbours or relationships farther away. Treating the options as a zero-sum choice misses the advantages of connecting them. A bridge role needs enough freedom of manoeuvre to work with close neighbours while remaining relevant at distance.