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Foreign Affairs Committee

The latest news and comment on the Foreign Affairs Committee

Articles
End of the ‘golden era’? The growing calls for a ‘decoupling’ from China
Coronavirus
By Sebastian Whale
End of the ‘golden era’? The growing calls for a ‘decoupling’ from China
The Chinese Ambassador to the UK last week warned that increasingly vocal criticisms of Beijing from Conservative Members of Parliament risked “poisoning” UK-China relations. What’s behind the rift, and how should the UK approach one of the key foreign policy challenges of the coming decade? Sebastian Whale reports
Foreign Office boss U-turns and says he was wrong to claim ministers made ‘political decision’ not to join EU ventilator scheme
Coronavirus
Foreign Office boss U-turns and says he was wrong to claim ministers made ‘political decision’ not to join EU ventilator scheme
The Foreign Office’s top civil servant has retracted his claim that it was a “political decision” by ministers not to take part in an EU scheme to buy medical equipment to fight coronavirus.
Coronavirus: UK made ‘political decision’ not to join EU ventilator procurement scheme, says Foreign Office boss
Coronavirus
Coronavirus: UK made ‘political decision’ not to join EU ventilator procurement scheme, says Foreign Office boss
The UK’s failure to take part in an EU scheme to buy ventilators was a “political decision” by ministers, according to the Foreign Office's top civil servant.
Chinese ‘disinformation’ on coronavirus costing lives, say MPs
Coronavirus
Chinese ‘disinformation’ on coronavirus costing lives, say MPs
Chinese “disinformation” about the coronavirus pandemic has “already cost lives”, an influential group of MPs has warned.
In an era of hybrid warfare, departments must work together to protect Britain
Defence
By Alicia Kearns MP
In an era of hybrid warfare, departments must work together to protect Britain
The Integrated Review demands innovation and forward thinking – and it must focus on keeping our people safe.
Reviewing Britain's approach to the world must be about much more than defence
Foreign affairs
By Tom Tugendhat MP
Reviewing Britain's approach to the world must be about much more than defence
Government must not limit itself to military matters. It must rediscover the lost art of strategy at the heart of Whitehall – and foreign affairs is a key part of that.
EXCL Foreign Office labelled 'preposterous' for spending £6k on designer furniture
Foreign affairs
EXCL Foreign Office labelled 'preposterous' for spending £6k on designer furniture

The Foreign Office spent almost £6,000 on a designer sideboard and side table “to advance British interests around the world”, PoliticsHome can reveal.
As chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I would ensure all voices are heard
Foreign affairs
As chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I would ensure all voices are heard

We need to look at how we engage with both partners and those who challenge us as we face up to the changing foreign policy challenges of the 2020s, writes Tom Tugendhat MP
To properly scrutinise the Foreign Office, we must take crucial steps to understand the department better
Foreign affairs
To properly scrutinise the Foreign Office, we must take crucial steps to understand the department better

The Foreign Affairs Committee needs to be more free-thinking. As chair, I would share responsibility and work with other committee chairs on our work abroad, writes Bob Seeley 
Chairing the Foreign Affairs Committee would be the culmination of my Parliamentary career
Foreign affairs
Chairing the Foreign Affairs Committee would be the culmination of my Parliamentary career

I’d base my recommendations for the Foreign Affairs Committee on the evidence, without half an eye on my political future, writes Crispin Blunt MP
The Foreign Office needs to be re-empowered for the Brexit age
Foreign affairs
The Foreign Office needs to be re-empowered for the Brexit age

The FCO is being short-changed. We must restore its value as the hub of British foreign policy and bring trade and aid under its control, writes Tom Tugendhat MP
Tom Tugendhat MP: “I’ve come across nothing quite so childish as British politics and parliament”
Foreign affairs
Tom Tugendhat MP: “I’ve come across nothing quite so childish as British politics and parliament”

As chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat is well-practiced in scrutinising Boris Johnson’s actions. He sits down with Anoosh Chakelian to discuss prorogation, Parliament’s “childish” behaviour, and maintaining the UK’s global standing in the meantime
Some politicians are among the worst culprits for intimidating journalists
Home affairs
By Tom Tugendhat MP
Some politicians are among the worst culprits for intimidating journalists

Those who abuse the media must be publicly shamed, and even targeted with sanctions by the FCO, even if they are governments, writes Foreign Affairs Select Committee Chair, Tom Tugendhat MP. 
The Foreign Office must be the engine of our foreign policy once again
Foreign affairs
The Foreign Office must be the engine of our foreign policy once again

Stripped of its responsibility for aid and trade, and having lost out in a tug-of-war with the Cabinet Office, the Foreign Office hasn’t been in charge of foreign policy for many years. With new threats emerging and the old international order creaking, we urgently need a revolution at the heart of government, writes Tom Tugendhat
Foreign Affairs Committee chief says Boris Johnson should have more power over Brexit
Brexit
Foreign Affairs Committee chief says Boris Johnson should have more power over Brexit

Boris Johnson should have a greater say over Brexit as part of a major Whitehall shakeup, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee is set to declare.
Tom Tugendhat: 'I got into politics to serve. That’s the only reason I’m here'
Brexit
Tom Tugendhat: "I got into politics to serve. That’s the only reason I’m here"

Conservative colleagues and Labour opponents alike see Tom Tugendhat as a star of the future. Just two years into his Westminster career he secured an overwhelming mandate to chair the Foreign Affairs Committee. Is there any limit to his potential? By Sebastian Whale
Foreign Affairs Select Committee chair: Candidates' elevator pitch
Foreign affairs
Foreign Affairs Select Committee chair: Candidates' elevator pitch

The Foreign Affairs Select Committee will not be short of issues to investigate in the coming parliament. The three Tory candidates for the post set out their stall below.