John Baron MP says Commonwealth could be an even greater force for good following Committee report

MP highlights the importance of UK – Commonwealth relations

Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Select Committee, of which John is a member, today released a report on the role and future of the Commonwealth. The report is the result of a wide-ranging set of inquiries looking at the role and function of the Commonwealth, both today and in the future, as well as Britain’s relationship with the 54-country group which encompasses 2 billion people.

Whilst praising the Commonwealth for its achievements, the Committee concluded that the organisation needs to strengthen its diplomatic performance, especially since it has recently appeared less active and publicly visible. The report also noted that, although the Government had many warm words for the organisation, it did not appear to have a clear strategy for approaching the Commonwealth.

John said,

“The Commonwealth has the capacity to be an even greater force for good in this uncertain world, especially since it includes some of the world’s fastest-growing economies as well as its youngest populations. However, it is not yet realising this potential.”

“Britain needs to play its part. The Government needs to match its warm words with substantive actions. The Foreign Secretary talks of the Commonwealth being the cornerstone of our foreign policy, and yet we have closed diplomatic missions, reduced Commonwealth scholarships and cut funding for the BBC World Service.”

“The Commonwealth is a wonderful asset for the mutual benefit of all members, yet an asset we risk squandering.”