Explore short, accessible pieces of analysis, research and commentary, on topical issues related to foreign policy and our changing world.
In Search of our Mojo: Tackling Pessimism in UK Foreign Policy
Mick Jagger is one of the latest big names to share his rather pessimistic thoughts on UK foreign policy, in his case via song. Significant changes, both at home and abroad, have set in action an inevitable reshuffle in our foreign policy. But whilst a realistic and adequate response to the risks the UK faces is necessary, would a less fatalistic approach would help us all?
Funding international research collaboration focussed on UK priorities
The leading edge of research and technology innovation is tied to international collaborative research. It is therefore essential that UK science policy enables continuing participation in this network at the highest level, with a targeted and cost-effective management structure.
UN reform and the UK’s role
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up? In my case – and assuming the kids are enjoying a rare bout of combined slumber – I check my smartphone and scroll through Twitter. A bad habit, but an addictive one. And just one example of how technology has uprooted the habits of previous generations.
Conservatives: Manifesto pledges on UK foreign policy
The BFPG’s Tom Cargill has taken all the foreign policy relevant sections of the 2017 Conservative manifesto and grouped them in one document to make it more accessible for everyone interested in UK foreign policy. He has also provided a short summary analysis of the foreign policy approach which emerges from the manifesto
Labour: Manifesto pledges on UK foreign policy
The BFPG’s Tom Cargill has taken all the foreign policy relevant sections of the 2017 Labour manifesto and grouped them in one document to make it more accessible for everyone interested in UK foreign policy. He has also provided a short summary analysis of the foreign policy approach which emerges from the manifesto
Liberal Democrats: Manifesto pledges on UK foreign policy
The BFPG’s Tom Cargill has taken all the foreign policy relevant sections of the 2017 Liberal Democrat manifesto and grouped them in one document to make it more accessible for everyone interested in UK foreign policy. He has also provided a short summary analysis of the foreign policy approach which emerges from the manifesto
Absolute Control: Brexit and Number 10’s growing hold on foreign policy
Nine months into office Theresa May has appeared increasingly to centralise foreign policymaking back in No.10. Long gone are the days of the laissez-faire approach of David Cameron, which was often represented by a high level of ministerial autonomy reinforced by collective decision-making. Instead May’s premiership has so far been embodied by a controlling caution which inevitably reflects both her personality and the mood of the country as we are propelled towards Britain leaving the European
#GE17: Bring on a Foreign Policy Election
We need to use this election as citizens to chart a bold path for the UK through a volatile world. This means discussing in practical terms about what we, as British citizens, need from the rest of the world, what we have to offer in return, the values we wish to project, and what we’re prepared to do to maintain our interests, lifestyles and security. This is the debate the British Foreign Policy Group has been established to support.
Gibraltar “Affair”–The Spanish View and a Lesson in Modern Diplomacy
This latest Gibraltar affair has shown how dramatization by some UK commentators can potentially undermine the broader diplomatic efforts of the UK. This includes the undermining of our international profile as an intelligent and reasonable actor, as seen by Spain’s Minster for Foreign Affairs, Alfonso Dastis, showing surprise at our “uncharacteristic lack of traditional British calm and composure”.
UK risks underestimating the dangerous signal that withdrawal from the ECHR would send to Russia.
During a conversation in December 2016 with a representative from the Council of Europe it was noted that Russia’s 2015 ruling allowing its courts to override judgments handed down by the ECtHR should be seen in a broader context of non-compliance amongst certain signatory states.
Indyref2 & UK Foreign Policy – Ever Decreasing Circles of Influence
The Scottish Nationalist Party’s (SNP) decision last week to call for a second independence referendum will have serious implications for the UK’s foreign policy. At the time of the 2014 referendum, much was said about how independence would affect Scotland and to a lesser extent the effects on the UK or the remainder of the UK (RUK). However, this time round there is the additional upheaval threatened by the vote to leave the European Union (EU). Regardless of the outcome of the Scottish refere
UK International Defence Engagement Strategy: A Balancing Act with Little Impact?
With Britain edging ever closer to negotiating our departure from the EU, the UK’s defence and security represents perhaps the most critical policy area which could see a significant shakeup. It was therefore in timely fashion that the UK’s International Defence Engagement Strategy (IDES) was published on February 17th laying out ‘how defence engagement contributes to delivering our vision of security and prosperity with strengthened influence to further our interests across the world’.
UK & US hand in hand: Values vs Interests in the Trump Era
Theresa May’s positive efforts to strengthen the ‘special relationship’ and the ensuing negative reactions in the UK are a sign of the significant challenges that the UK will face in implementing ‘Global Britain’. The Prime Minister’s visit to the US has raised questions in the UK about how the UK should balance an important alliance with the risk of a “guilt by association”, a challenge anticipated in a previous article published through the BFPG. Trump’s apparent vigour to fulfil campaign prom
Video: Introduction to the BFPG
Tom Cargill, Executive Director, introduces the BFPG, highlighting its work, aims and objectives, and why the UK needs the British Foreign Policy Group.
Theresa May’s Brexit speech underscores need for British Foreign Policy Group
The Prime Minister’s Brexit speech has inevitably attracted a huge amount of attention to the broad terms of the UK’s negotiating position with the EU 27. Somewhat less attention has been given to the broader vision for the UK post-Brexit -a ‘Global Britain’ – ‘a great global trading nation’ which seeks to ‘get out into the wider world’. This is perhaps inevitable given the level of interest and concern over the terms of Brexit, but it is another reminder of how such relentless focus on our rela
Foreign Secretary’s first policy speech: Strong on sentiment, weak on rationale
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson spoke on Friday morning in the first of a series of foreign policy speeches he intends to make to lay out his vision for ‘Global Britain’ – a UK that is outward looking, assertive and engaged internationally and that ‘refuses to be defined’ by the decision made to leave the European Union. Overall the speech was useful in that it was a rousing call for greater UK engagement internationally but it also demonstrated the distance we still have to travel in putting fl
Brexit makes Gibraltar even more important to the UK
Brexit has been a catalyst for the UK to re-think and re-establish its role in the world. It has also led Spain to continue pushing forward it plans for joint sovereignty of Gibraltar with renewed vigour. Gibraltar, much like the rest of the UK’s overseas territories, represents a unique asset that plays a crucial part in maintaining and developing the UK’s role in the world. There are 4 primary reasons why we should care.
PM’s vision for a global Britain needs to be backed by resources
It is telling that precious little news coverage of Theresa May’s foreign policy speech at the Mansion House on Monday referred to her central theme. The Prime Minister spoke about her support for globalisation, but the need to humanise it in a manner which many on both left and right would largely recognise and embrace.
Conserving the UK’s strategic interests in the case of a Trump presidency
A Trump presidency would require a radical re-think of the UK’s relation with the US. The UK cannot afford and indeed would not want to make any knee-jerk reaction to its relationship with our most important ally.
Beyond Brexit – Addressing The UK’s Capacity to Engage Globally
The vote to leave the European Union has understandably caused deep emotive reactions, and many of the initiatives, interventions and ideas promoted amongst prominent supporters on both sides demonstrate this, being calls to either find ways of maintaining as many links with the EU as possible – as with Common Ground, or to defend and maintain the aspirations and aims of those who led the leave campaign as with Change Britain
