More than four long years after the seismic EU Referendum, the United Kingdom stands ready to reveal the substance of its ambitions for the Global Britain project. The international landscape into which the UK will be unveiling its new foreign policy mission has been fundamentally altered during the period of our reflection – not least of all in terms of the nature of the threats we face, and the relationships we depend upon. The challenge is also deeply domestic – how can the British people be brought together around a common vision for the nation’s future, after such a bruising period in our politics and in the midst of a global pandemic?

The BFPG was delighted to host the Shadow Foreign Secretary, Lisa Nandy MP, in conversation with the BFPG’s Director, Sophia Gaston, to discuss how the Labour Party is approaching the development of its own unique foreign policy agenda, and how Labour plans to hold the Government to account on the Integrated Review. They explored the obstacles (and opportunities) to building public consent for an internationalist and open foreign policy, how the UK’s foreign policy-making can become more inclusive, and how Labour hopes to restore trust and confidence in its plan for the UK’s role in the world.

Lisa Nandy MP is Shadow Foreign Secretary and the Labour MP for Wigan. During her time in Parliament, Lisa has served on the front bench in a number of roles, including Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Shadow Children’s Minister and Shadow Minister for Civil Society. Lisa is also the co-founder of the think tank Centre for Towns which was set up to ensure priority is given to the viability and prosperity of Britain’s towns.

Sophia Gaston is Director of the British Foreign Policy Group. A social and political researcher specialising in public opinion, her research particularly explores populism, nationalism and the rise of anti-establishment movements, as well as broader threats to governance in Western nations.

Please contact matt.gillow@bfpg.co.uk with any enquiries.