The only full TV debate of the campaign last Thursday, a day of world drama, underscored a pivot towards the parochial. “The UK was once famous for punching above its weight in global affairs, but perhaps the country no longer really matters much – if only because it does not want to matter,” the former Conservative Party chairman and European Commissioner said. “While much of the world seems to be going to hell in a hand basket, there has been little talk about Britain’s international role and responsibilities,” Chris Patten, Britain’s last governor of Hong Kong, said in a Project Syndicate commentary. Many diplomats say this reflects Britain’s shuffle from the global stage and a self-inflicted downgrading of its military and diplomatic muscle.

It’s not unusual for British elections to be dominated by schools, hospitals and taxes, but foreign policy debate has rarely been so slight as before the May 7 vote.

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron delivers a speech during an election campaign event in Bristol, south western England, April 6, 2015.

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