Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Soft Power

Monday 1 February 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • John Baron inquired about the plans for soft power's contribution to the UK's international defence engagement.
  • The Minister highlighted the UK armed forces' role in providing security and humanitarian assistance globally.
  • John Baron suggested that soft power can significantly enhance international trust and reduce conflict likelihood.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Baron Con
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

No specific context provided other than an emphasis on the importance of soft power in relation to defence.

Question

What plans he has for the contribution of soft power to the UK's international defence engagement.

Answer from Ben Wallace

Our armed forces are a force for good, providing security, humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping and defence engagement across the globe. They have a proud track record on the frontline of our national response to humanitarian disasters the world over, from Ebola in west Africa to hurricane seasons in the Caribbean.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Plans for integrating soft power into international defence engagement were not specified.

How: Provided A General Statement About Armed Forces' Role

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Q2 John Baron Con
Defence Foreign Affairs
Context

The question builds on the initial query and highlights the importance of including soft power considerations alongside traditional hard power during the government's international engagement assessment.

Question

As chair of the British Council all-party group, I suggest that soft power can pay for itself many times over by building links and improving trust and understanding, all of which makes conflict less likely. As the Government assess our international engagement, does my right hon. Friend agree that soft power must be a consideration alongside traditional hard power? Will he assure me that he will make the case for soft power when it comes to the Government's integrated review?

Answer from Ben Wallace

I congratulate my hon. Friend on his work on the British Council all-party group. The British Council is an outstanding institution around the world—indeed, in my opinion there is not enough of it around the world. The integrated review will enhance defence engagement, ensuring that our armed forces are more forward, present, and active around the world, and involve changes to operational development structures, defence diplomacy and allowances. I completely agree that alongside hard power must come soft power. It can be delivered by the military, as well as by those excellent non-governmental organisations, and organisations such as the British Council. The best way to not get into a conflict is to avoid one in the first place by understanding each other's issues, and by helping nations and people's economies to build.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer agreed on the importance of soft power but did not provide specific commitments or timelines for its inclusion in the integrated review.

How: Acknowledged Soft Power'S Importance But Did Not Commit To Concrete Actions

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