UK Soft Power

Part of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – in the House of Commons at on 26 November 2024.

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Photo of Andrew Mitchell Andrew Mitchell Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)

May I wish the new shadow Foreign Secretary, my right hon. Friend Priti Patel, every success in her role? May I also wish the Minister and the entire Government foreign affairs team courage and wisdom as they deal with a world more dangerous than at any time in our lives? When it comes to soft power and development, I remind them of the importance of the words best articulated by former US Defence Secretary Mattis: “If you cut development spend, you have to order more ammunition.”