On the 17th April 2024, The British Foreign Policy Group was privileged to host Mr Rüdiger Bohn, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, London, for a closed-door roundtable focused on some of the biggest challenges facing both the UK and Germany. The event brought together a group of UK-based experts, policymakers, business- and thought-leaders with an interest in the bilateral relationship and European security more broadly. The roundtable was run under the ‘Chatham House’ rule and stimulated an engaging conversation around Germany’s own perspectives on ..read more

The British Foreign Policy Group (BFPG) is delighted to host His Excellency, Mr Jukka Siukosaari, Ambassador of Finland, for a public event on the future of UK-Finnish relations and Finland’s role in the world. Precipitated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Finland joined NATO last year in a major departure from its traditional approach to foreign policy. This event will provide an insight into Finland’s approach to NATO and European security and reflect on wider shifts in its defence, security and foreign policy. Moreover, with UK-Finnish cooperation currently covering all areas of bil ..read more

Evie Aspinall spoke to Sky News about the state of UK-China relations – Sky News BFPG Director Evie Aspinall spoke to Sky News about the state of UK-China relations following recent allegations about Chinese state-backed cyber attacks on UK democracy. You can watch the clip here. The post Evie Aspinall spoke to Sky News about the state of UK-China relations – Sky News appeared first on British Foreign Policy Group ..read more

Earlier this week, BFPG Director, Evie Aspinall, gave oral evidence to the International Development Committee on the importance of bridging the financing gap in order to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. The session focused on both the opportunities and risks associated with mobilising private finance to meet these needs, and potential opportunities to better leverage private capital in pursuit of our development goals. Evie was joined in giving evidence by Ian Mitchell, Co-Director, Europe and Senior Policy Fellow at the Centre for Global Development, and Romilly Greenhill, Chief ..read more

On the 27th March 2024, The British Foreign Policy Group was privileged to host Her Excellency Ms Simona Leskovar, Ambassador of Slovenia to the United Kingdom, for a closed-door roundtable focused on some of the biggest challenges facing both the UK and Slovenia. The event brought together a group of UK-based experts, policymakers, business- and thought-leaders with an interest in the bilateral relationship, the wider Western Balkan region, and European security more broadly. As Slovenia marks the 20-year anniversary of accession to NATO and the European Union, we explored how cooperatio ..read more

For 75 years, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) has endured, shaped, and adapted to the tumultuous shifts in the global security environment, and helped define the environment itself. It remains a key cornerstone and essential provider of Euro-Atlantic security. April 4th 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of NATO’s founding, and will see foreign ministers of the allied states convene to commemorate, ahead of larger commemorations at the 75th anniversary Summit in Washington DC in July. The meeting, and indeed July’s Summit, are crucial opportunities for allies and partners to reinfor ..read more

On the 21st March 2024, The British Foreign Policy Group was privileged to host His Excellency Mr Viljar Lubi, Ambassador of Estonia to the United Kingdom, for a closed-door roundtable focused on some of the biggest challenges facing both the UK and Estonia. The event brought together a group of UK-based experts, policymakers, business- and thought-leaders with an interest in the bilateral relationship, the wider Baltic region, and European security more broadly. The roundtable was run under the ‘Chatham House’ rule and stimulated an engaging conversation around Estonia’s own perspectives on s ..read more

Labour’s Deputy Leader and the Tax Row – BBC Newsnight BFPG’s 2023 Annual Survey polling on Britons’ support for defence spending is discussed on BBC Newsnight. You can watch the clip here. The post Labour’s Deputy Leader and the Tax Row – BBC Newsnight appeared first on British Foreign Policy Group ..read more

London Playbook PM: 1922 problems – POLITICO The appointment of Conservative SpAd Daniel El–Gamry, and civil servant Matthew Otubu, to BFPG’s new Advisory Board is announced in POLITICO’s London Playbook PM newsletter. You can see the announcement in POLITICO’s newsletter here. The post London Playbook PM: 1922 problems – POLITICO appeared first on British Foreign Policy Group ..read more

Ministers rarely make public statements which go beyond established policy and appear to be arguing for change. So when two Ministers, Anne-Marie Trevelyan (formerly Defence Secretary and now in the FCDO) and Tom Tugendhat (Security Minister in the Home Office and a former Army reservist) published an article arguing for increased defence spending, it was bound to attract attention.    There’s plenty we could discuss here. What is the increased threat the UK faces and what specific measures should be taken to address it? How to prioritise between conventional forces, the nuclear ..read more