IT is somewhat refreshing that the outcome of today's US presidential election remains too close to call.

Contrary to the assumption of many of us, the campaign has demonstrated that there is no slavish adherence to the foreign policies of George Bush. His conduct in Iraq and Afghanistan, and his outlook on the wider world, are subject to the fullest scrutiny.

If he is re-elected, it will not be with a ringing endorsement of the American people.

Nevertheless, the signs are that, no matter how slender the margin of victory, President Bush will not change course.

There is no momentum in the President's foreign policy. The regeneration of Iraq is stalling; the battle against al Qaida is stalling; the Kyoto agreement is stalling; the Middle East peace process has stalled.

The world needs a fresh impetus from the United States, and that impetus can only come from a new incumbent in the White House.

No-one disputes the threat to world order from international terrorism. But the threat will never be defeated by unilateral action, even if that action is taken by the world's most powerful nation.

There is a need for consensus, a consensus which is agreed rather than imposed.

John Kerry has promised to construct a genuine coalition of nations to tackle terrorism, and to restore peace and security in the world's trouble spots by more than just military might.

In President Bush we face the prospect of four more years of policies which have failed to make the world a safer place.

In Senator Kerry, we can at least look forward to the next four years in the knowledge that the American people have delivered a mandate for dialogue.