John Baron MP raises soft power during FCO Questions

MP disappointed by cuts to BBC World Service and British Council

Today in the House of Commons, during Foreign and Commonwealth Office questions, John Baron MP raised the issue of ‘soft power’. Quite separate from traditional ‘hard power’ – such as military action, economic sanctions or a UN Security Council veto – soft power is intangible and much more abstract. Centred around the ability to attract and co-opt others to ‘want what you want’, it aims to inform opinions, and shape or frame the debate about an issue of importance.

In the Chamber, John asked,

“Given Britain’s historic strength in soft power, and its potential to further our foreign policy objectives, has the time not come for the Government to reconsider its funding cuts to our soft power institutions, such as the BBC World Service and the British Council, amongst others?”

The Minister, Rt Hon Hugo Swire MP, responded that Britain projects soft power better than any other country, and said he believed the British Council was well-funded. He added that the BBC World Service is now funded by the BBC Trust.

Afterwards, John said,

“Soft power is a valuable and scarce resource, and many countries would give their eye-teeth to match our strength. It is therefore disappointing that this Government is cutting our capabilities.”

“Only a rearguard action by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee mitigated damaging cuts to the BBC World Service, whilst many have concerns the British Council is having to overly rely on commercial activity to keep afloat. Soft power has the potential to pay for itself many times over in helping to prevent conflict.”