The perfect match? On foreign policy there is more uniting the two leadership candidates than separating them

As the two-man contest to become the next PM comes to a close, what might the UK’s foreign policy under their leadership look like? For a contest between a current and a former Foreign Secretary, foreign policy (Brexit aside) has been surprisingly absent for the most part.

When President Trump criticised the UK Ambassador to the US, Sir Kim Darroch, Johnson refused to condemn Trump whilst Hunt did. This propelled foreign policy to the forefront of the debate and showed a potential difference in approach to the US.

Big Ideas

The substance of their foreign policy positions has been relatively similar: a realisation that the upcoming departure from the EU will affect the UK’s international standing. Johnson’s maiden speech as Foreign Secretary introduced ‘Global Britain’, an outward-looking UK engaged internationally. Hunt’s maiden speech was about the “invisible chain” of the UK linking the world’s democracies, with soft power a central feature of his tenure.

Departmental Structures and Funding

The responsibility for the UK Government’s foreign policy has been shared across a growing number of departments – FCO, MOD, DIT, DfID, with Cabinet Office and DExEU also involved. Johnson has not hidden his dislike of the current system and previously pushed to merge DfID back into the FCO. A recent BFPG report by Sam Goodman showed the historic decline in FCO funding; neither candidate has made strong public calls for more FCO funding, though Hunt has called for defence spending to rise from 2% to 2.5% of GDP.

Regional Focus

Both foreign secretaries visited key European allies. Hunt chose strategic partners like China, the US, and growing African nations, as well as the Gulf states. Johnson visited allies like Australia and New Zealand, but also opted for parts of the world where the UK might want stronger post-Brexit ties, such as Thailand and Latin America – the first Foreign Secretary visit to Argentina in 25 years and to Peru in 50.

Iran, Russia, China and Saudi Arabia

Johnson and Hunt have largely similar stances. Hunt has appeared slightly more bullish on Hong Kong and Iran, though this can largely be explained by the crises he faced as Foreign Secretary. Both allowed UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia to continue. On Russia, both have been firm, with Hunt pledging to increase defence funding.

The US

Both candidates have talked up the special relationship. For Johnson, the Darroch episode was an opportunity to show himself as a true Trump ally, perhaps thinking ahead to his relationship with the US president.

Conclusion

There could be small differences in substance and style: Hunt a traditionally diplomatic yet strategic approach; Johnson more ‘Global Britain’, with a possible return to more traditional, liberal rhetoric. Yet on most issues there is consensus. Ultimately, their primary concern as PM will be delivering Brexit – a significant foreign policy challenge in itself.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the views of the BFPG.