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Johnson promises 'overhaul' of post-Brexit foreign policy as he launches review Johnson promises 'overhaul' of post-Brexit foreign policy as he launches review
(about 5 hours later)
The UK is to "overhaul its approach to foreign policy" as part of a government review, Downing Street has announced.The UK is to "overhaul its approach to foreign policy" as part of a government review, Downing Street has announced.
No 10 says insights from internal and external experts will challenge "traditional Whitehall assumptions".No 10 says insights from internal and external experts will challenge "traditional Whitehall assumptions".
The diplomatic service, tackling organised crime, the use of technology and the procurement of military supplies will all be looked at.The diplomatic service, tackling organised crime, the use of technology and the procurement of military supplies will all be looked at.
The review will also seek "innovative ways" to promote UK interests while committing to spending targets.The review will also seek "innovative ways" to promote UK interests while committing to spending targets.
The 2019 Conservative manifesto promised that the UK would continue to spend 0.7% of gross national income on international aid. The party also said it would exceed the Nato target of spending 2% of gross domestic product on defence.The 2019 Conservative manifesto promised that the UK would continue to spend 0.7% of gross national income on international aid. The party also said it would exceed the Nato target of spending 2% of gross domestic product on defence.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out the details of the review, how long it will take, and who will be involved in a written statement later. Boris Johnson's new government faces a number of foreign policy challenges including securing a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.
His new government faces a number of foreign policy challenges including securing a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian recently predicted the two sides would "rip each other apart" during negotiations which are due to begin on Monday.French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian recently predicted the two sides would "rip each other apart" during negotiations which are due to begin on Monday.
The UK is also hoping to secure a trade deal with the US but relations have been strained by the prime minister's decision to use Huawei to build the 5G network in the face of US opposition.The UK is also hoping to secure a trade deal with the US but relations have been strained by the prime minister's decision to use Huawei to build the 5G network in the face of US opposition.
The government is also keen to strengthen ties with China, but some of the prime minister's own MPs - including Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Tom Tugendhat - have cautioned against allowing Chinese companies' heavy involvement in projects such as the 5G network and HS2.The government is also keen to strengthen ties with China, but some of the prime minister's own MPs - including Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Tom Tugendhat - have cautioned against allowing Chinese companies' heavy involvement in projects such as the 5G network and HS2.
'Constructive challenge''Constructive challenge'
Setting out details of the Integrated Review - first announced in December's Queen's Speech - No 10 said Brexit presented "new opportunities to define and strengthen Britain's place in the world". Setting out details of the Integrated Review - first announced in December's Queen's Speech - Number 10 said Brexit presented "new opportunities to define and strengthen Britain's place in the world".
Its remit, as set out by the government, is to:Its remit, as set out by the government, is to:
The review is expected to conclude later this year with input from Whitehall departments, including the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence. In a written statement, the prime minister said a cross-Whitehall team in the Cabinet Secretariat and a "small taskforce" in Number 10 will report to him and the National Security Council during the review.
"The review will be closely aligned with this year's Comprehensive Spending Review but will also look beyond it," he said in the statement.
Experts "beyond Whitehall" in the UK and "among our allies" will be consulted, Mr Johnson said, and Parliament will be kept "fully informed".
The review is expected to conclude later this year.
The government says it will "utilise expertise from both inside and outside government for the review, ensuring the UK's best foreign policy minds are feeding into its conclusions and offering constructive challenge to traditional Whitehall assumptions and thinking".The government says it will "utilise expertise from both inside and outside government for the review, ensuring the UK's best foreign policy minds are feeding into its conclusions and offering constructive challenge to traditional Whitehall assumptions and thinking".
Mr Johnson said the UK could not "rest on our laurels" adding: "We will be judged by how we respond to the opportunities ahead.
"As the world changes we must move with it - harnessing new technologies and ways of thinking to ensure British foreign policy is rooted firmly in our national interests."
The UK's last full-scale security and defence review was completed in late 2015, before the UK voted to leave the EU.The UK's last full-scale security and defence review was completed in late 2015, before the UK voted to leave the EU.
But Mr Tugendhat suggested it had been more than 20 years since a British government comprehensively reviewed its foreign policy objectives and the "tools" needed to achieve them.But Mr Tugendhat suggested it had been more than 20 years since a British government comprehensively reviewed its foreign policy objectives and the "tools" needed to achieve them.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today it would premature to speculate on whether any "rejigging" of defence and aid priorities would result in cuts to manpower in any of the armed services.He told BBC Radio 4's Today it would premature to speculate on whether any "rejigging" of defence and aid priorities would result in cuts to manpower in any of the armed services.
"We all know that the fundamental decisive factor in battle, whether that is in sea, land or air, is people. It is basically draining the resources of your enemy and undermining their ability to fight," he said."We all know that the fundamental decisive factor in battle, whether that is in sea, land or air, is people. It is basically draining the resources of your enemy and undermining their ability to fight," he said.
"That can be done in different ways - sometimes it is done by infantry soldiers... sometimes it is done by ships denying access to areas or protecting convoys and sometimes it is done by RAF pilots flying drones... All of these are different tools.""That can be done in different ways - sometimes it is done by infantry soldiers... sometimes it is done by ships denying access to areas or protecting convoys and sometimes it is done by RAF pilots flying drones... All of these are different tools."