In 1879, John Bright MP told his Birmingham constituents that Russia’s distrustful attitude towards the West was entirely understandable, as the West had been treating Russian badly for a long time. Friendship among nations, he said, was fostered by nothing so effectively as trade, and trade by friendship; and Russia was an ideal trade partner for British consumers.

Trade with Russia, said Bright, would never flourish while Russia imposed such high tariffs on imports; but we could hardly complain. given our own ungracious and hostile attitude towards Russia. It was up to Britain to propose a free trade agreement, to cement our friendship and so calm the tensions which led to so much wasteful military spending.

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