https://www.politicshome.com/foreign-affairs/rssenhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/less-18-months-old-socalled-soft-power-council-drifting-towards-oblivion-failTue, 26 May 2026 10:00:00 GMTLaunched with fanfare but sinking without trace, the Soft Power Council appears to be an object lesson in how the UK fails to leverage its cultural, sporting and educational assets, reports Ben GartsideBen Gartsidehttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/less-18-months-old-socalled-soft-power-council-drifting-towards-oblivion-failForeign Secretary David Lammy and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy ahead of the Labour Party Conference in 2023 (PA Images / Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/maritime-chokepoints-get-worse-strait-hormuz-closureMon, 25 May 2026 10:00:00 GMTSupply chains have been badly hit by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, but – as Noah Vickers reports – the worst could still be to come.Noah Vickershttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/maritime-chokepoints-get-worse-strait-hormuz-closureIllustration by Tracy Worrallhttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/vital-extradition-protections-lost-new-crime-policing-actThu, 21 May 2026 13:47:00 GMTA quiet change in the Crime and Policing Act 2026 has removed an important safeguard for British citizens convicted abroad without even knowing their trial had taken place.Lord Carter of Haslemerehttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/vital-extradition-protections-lost-new-crime-policing-acthttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/china-clean-energy-britain-swapping-one-dependency-anotherThu, 21 May 2026 10:00:00 GMTAs the conflict in Iran highlights Britain’s exposure to fossil fuel markets, Zoe Crowther examines fears UK’s shift towards clean energy might mean replacing one dependency with anotherZoe Crowtherhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/china-clean-energy-britain-swapping-one-dependency-anotherIllustration by Tracy Worrallhttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/hormuz-shown-vulnerability-emerging-challenges-chokepoints-like-dover-straitThu, 21 May 2026 09:00:00 GMTThe UK’s prosperity has always depended on the sea.Rear Admiral Iain Lowerhttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/hormuz-shown-vulnerability-emerging-challenges-chokepoints-like-dover-straitA ferry going to Port of Dover after crossing the English Channel (David Vilaplana/Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/japanese-ambassador-hiroshi-suzuki-enjoying-good-local-ale-bitter-huge-joy-meThu, 21 May 2026 09:00:00 GMTDiplomacy is having a lean period as wars rage on, but it has found a star in Hiroshi Suzuki. Japan’s ambassador to the UK tells Ben Gartside about his love of the UK, the power of social media and travels with his stuffed toyBen Gartsidehttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/japanese-ambassador-hiroshi-suzuki-enjoying-good-local-ale-bitter-huge-joy-meHiroshi Suzuki tastes some 'original recipe' Irn-Bru in Glasgow in 2025 (PA Images/Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/brexit-scars-uk-political-instability-temper-brussels-enthusiasm-eu-resetWed, 20 May 2026 09:00:00 GMTThe European Commission and national leaders can see the benefits of a rapprochement but Brexit scars, unresolved disputes and uncertainty over who will be in No 10 are tempering Brussels’ enthusiasm, finds Christian SpillmannChristian Spillmannhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/brexit-scars-uk-political-instability-temper-brussels-enthusiasm-eu-reset(ZEN - Zaneta Razaite/Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/emily-thornberry-i-wanted-keir-opportunity-himselfTue, 19 May 2026 09:00:00 GMTForeign Affairs Committee chair Emily Thornberry tells Sienna Rodgers Labour needs ‘bold and brave and open leadership’ – from radicalism at home to the EU reset and British soft power around the worldSienna Rodgershttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/emily-thornberry-i-wanted-keir-opportunity-himselfEmily Thornberry (Photography by Tom Pilston)https://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/global-partnerships-conference-opportunity-show-labour-standsMon, 18 May 2026 19:47:00 GMTAmid the political upheaval of recent weeks, a post from a former colleague caught my eye.Laura Kyrke-Smith MPhttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/global-partnerships-conference-opportunity-show-labour-standshttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/labour-cannot-rely-eu-reset-rejoin-pledge-win-votersMon, 18 May 2026 11:00:00 GMTCould an EU reset save Keir Starmer – or indeed the Labour Party? Taking a look at the evidence, political strategist and pollster Scarlett Maguire is not convincedScarlett Maguirehttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/labour-cannot-rely-eu-reset-rejoin-pledge-win-votersIllustration by Tracy Worrallhttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/confessions-election-observer-viktor-orbans-defeatMon, 18 May 2026 09:30:00 GMTLabour MP Rupa Huq shares her diary from Hungary, where she led a team of international MPs examining the elections that saw Viktor Orbán defeatedRupa Huq MPhttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/confessions-election-observer-viktor-orbans-defeathttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/mu-sochua-cambodian-politician-urging-uk-action-scam-centresThu, 14 May 2026 12:00:00 GMTMu Sochua is on an international mission to rid Cambodia of its industrial-scale ‘scam centres’. Noah Vickers speaks to her as she brings her message to WestminsterNoah Vickershttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/mu-sochua-cambodian-politician-urging-uk-action-scam-centresMu Sochua speaking in Tokyo in Feb. 2024 (Newscom/Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/going-need-bigger-stick-britain-seeks-ai-sovereigntyMon, 11 May 2026 09:00:00 GMTBritain has now made clear that it wants AI sovereignty, of a kind. But there are numerous hurdles in the way, reports Matilda Martin. For a seat at the table with the US and China, say experts, we’re going to need a bigger stickMatilda Martinhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/going-need-bigger-stick-britain-seeks-ai-sovereignty(Collectiva/Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/visa-brake-will-punish-students-conflict-affected-areasWed, 06 May 2026 16:55:00 GMTThe blanket ban on certain overseas student visas will do little to tackle the asylum backlog, while harming the prospects of young people in some of the world's most dangerous countries.Flora Alexanderhttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/visa-brake-will-punish-students-conflict-affected-areashttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/fall-orbn-opportunity-ensure-seizedWed, 29 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMTThe fall of Viktor Orbán is good news not only for the EU but for the western Balkans, and for Bosnia and Herzegovina in particular.Baroness Helichttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/fall-orbn-opportunity-ensure-seizedMilorad Dodik with Viktor Orbán in 2023 (Associated Press/Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/mcsweeney-says-mandelson-epstein-friendship-knife-through-soulTue, 28 Apr 2026 13:05:00 GMTKeir Starmer's former chief of staff has described the moment when he realised the depth of Lord Mandelson's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein as having “a knife through my soul”. Tom Scotson and Harriet Symondshttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/mcsweeney-says-mandelson-epstein-friendship-knife-through-soulMorgan McSweeney appeared before MPs in parliament on Tuesdayhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/no-10-uninterested-mandelson-security-vettingTue, 28 Apr 2026 10:45:00 GMTThe former head civil servant in the Foreign Office has told MPs that Downing Street showed an "uninterested" attitude towards the security vetting of Lord Mandelson.Nadine Batchelor-Hunthttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/no-10-uninterested-mandelson-security-vettingFormer foreign office permanent secretary Philip Barton appeared before MPs in parliament on Tuesday. (Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/time-for-serious-conversation-about-rejoining-euSat, 25 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMTThe current government's approach to rebuilding ties with Europe is welcome and beneficial. But this alone won't come close to reversing the damage of Brexit.Mike Clancyhttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/time-for-serious-conversation-about-rejoining-euhttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/defence-sir-olly-robbinsThu, 23 Apr 2026 09:59:00 GMTIt was, without risk of hyperbole, humbling to sit behind Olly Robbins as he gave his evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday.Dave Penmanhttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/defence-sir-olly-robbinsSir Olly Robbins appearing before the Foreign Affairs Committee, April 2026 (PA Images / House of Commons/UK Parliament / Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/britains-partnership-mongolia-matters-growth-securityWed, 22 Apr 2026 16:30:00 GMTLast month, I made my first visit to Mongolia as Minister for the Indo-Pacific.Seema Malhotra MPhttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/britains-partnership-mongolia-matters-growth-securityhttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/cut-pensions-fund-defence-electorally-unwise-socially-irresponsibleWed, 22 Apr 2026 09:00:00 GMTThe call from a handful of Labour ministers, peers and backbenchers to fund higher defence spending via welfare cuts ignores the purpose of our social security system.Neil Duncan-Jordan MPhttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/cut-pensions-fund-defence-electorally-unwise-socially-irresponsible(Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/former-foreign-office-chief-accuses-no-10-dismissive-approach-mandelsons-vettingTue, 21 Apr 2026 10:34:00 GMTFormer Foreign Office permanent secretary Olly Robbins has said No 10 had a "dismissive approach" to Lord Peter Mandelson's vetting.Zoe Crowtherhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/former-foreign-office-chief-accuses-no-10-dismissive-approach-mandelsons-vettingOlly Robbins was appointed as Foreign Office permanent secretary in January 2025 (Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/keir-starmer-says-beggars-belief-officials-withheld-information-peter-mandelsonMon, 20 Apr 2026 16:35:00 GMTKeir Starmer has said it “beggars belief” the Foreign Office withheld information over Peter Mandelson's vetting failure.Tom Scotsonhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/keir-starmer-says-beggars-belief-officials-withheld-information-peter-mandelson(Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/pm-says-staggering-unforgiveable-wasnt-told-mandelson-vetting-failureFri, 17 Apr 2026 11:40:00 GMTKeir Starmer has said he is "absolutely furious" that he wasn't told that Lord Mandelson failed security vetting before being appointed US ambassador.Matilda Martinhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/pm-says-staggering-unforgiveable-wasnt-told-mandelson-vetting-failure(Alamy UK)https://www.politicshome.com/members/article/we-seek-power-transfer-power-iranian-peopleFri, 17 Apr 2026 10:09:00 GMTAs conflict and instability intensify, Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, sets out a proposed path from regime collapse to elections, and insists the country rejects both theocracy and monarchy as competing ...Alliance for Public Awarenesshttps://www.politicshome.com/members/article/we-seek-power-transfer-power-iranian-peopleMaryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iranhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/keir-starmer-sacks-foreign-office-permanent-secretary-mandelson-vetting-rowThu, 16 Apr 2026 23:25:00 GMTThe most senior civil servant in the Foreign Office is leaving his role over the Lord Mandelson vetting row.Adam Paynehttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/keir-starmer-sacks-foreign-office-permanent-secretary-mandelson-vetting-rowhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/why-iran-war-is-making-food-in-uk-more-expensiveWed, 15 Apr 2026 09:15:00 GMTFuel and energy are not the only essentials impacted by the Iran war, with experts warning that grocery prices could rise sharply in the next 12 months.Nadine Batchelor-Hunthttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/why-iran-war-is-making-food-in-uk-more-expensiveThe British Retail Consortium expects food inflation to rise sharply to around six to eight per cent by next year. (Alamy)https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/ed-davey-interview-hillary-clinton-stand-up-bullies-reform-ukSun, 12 Apr 2026 20:00:00 GMTFormer US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton privately urged Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey to “stand up to bullies” like Reform UK during a recent visit to London.Zoe Crowtherhttps://www.politicshome.com/news/article/ed-davey-interview-hillary-clinton-stand-up-bullies-reform-ukhttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/government-must-be-bolder-energy-crisisSun, 05 Apr 2026 09:55:00 GMTThis Labour government must emulate the boldness shown by Gordon Brown nearly two decades ago and convene an International Energy Summit.Polly Billington MPhttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/government-must-be-bolder-energy-crisishttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/uk-learn-switzerland-rebuilt-public-trust-asylum-systemThu, 02 Apr 2026 10:30:00 GMTThere is no magic bullet for running an asylum system, but the Swiss example demonstrates that a much better way of doing things is possible.Jonathan Thomashttps://www.politicshome.com/opinion/article/uk-learn-switzerland-rebuilt-public-trust-asylum-system