Lady Mayor warns against isolationism as global tensions dominate City banquet

On Wednesday 9 April 2026, the Lady Mayor of the City of London, Susan Langley, used a major diplomatic gathering in the Square Mile to warn against protectionism and short-term decision-making, as international tensions continue to shape economic and political debate.

Speaking at the annual Easter Banquet in the City of London, alongside Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Langley addressed ambassadors, high commissioners and senior political figures, setting out a case for cooperation at a time she described as “uncertain and unstable”.

Her remarks come against a backdrop of strain within Western alliances and wider global instability, where conflict, economic disruption and technological change are increasingly intertwined.

“We meet at a time when the world feels more uncertain and unstable than ever before,” she said. “Conflict is building. The rules that once governed global trade are being tested or cast aside.”

Langley said the pressures facing governments and economies could not be addressed in isolation, adding that “none of us can navigate this moment alone. Not one nation, not one economy, not one system.”

The Lady Mayor pointed to London’s role within this wider landscape, particularly the strength of its financial and professional services sector. She highlighted the growth of the city’s insurance market, which has expanded significantly over the past decade and continues to underwrite risks ranging from geopolitical instability to climate-related events.

“The challenges we face – international security, economic stability and growth, technological change, climate change – are too vast and intertwined to demand anything other than a shared response,” she said.

Her warning against inward-looking policies formed a central part of the speech. “Protectionism, isolationist policies, short-term decisions, these things offer the illusion of control, but, in the long run, they weaken us all.”

The Easter Banquet, a longstanding fixture in the City’s calendar, brings together senior diplomats and policymakers each year, reinforcing London’s role as a meeting point for international dialogue, as outlined by the City of London Corporation’s work with global partners.

In setting out her position, Langley placed emphasis on the City’s ability to connect capital, expertise and policy at a time when those links are under pressure. Her message was less about immediate policy change and more about the direction of travel, with cooperation presented as a practical necessity rather than a political choice.

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[Image Credit | Reuters]

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