Tory Pledge: business Leaders as Ambassadors to Boost UK Exports
MANCHESTER – The Conservative Party has announced a plan to appoint business chiefs as ambassadors, leveraging their expertise to drive UK exports and break down perceived disconnects between diplomacy and trade. Shadow ministers Priti Patel and Mark Griffith outlined the proposal at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, arguing that British embassies should actively serve as launchpads for British businesses seeking new international markets.
The initiative aims to address what Patel and Griffith described as a current imbalance, where competitor nations like France, the Netherlands, and Germany more aggressively utilize their diplomatic networks to bolster their commercial interests. “There are some majestic exceptions but too often there is a disconnect between diplomacy and trade,” they stated. “This must be rectified. Silos must be broken down.” They envision a system where embassies become “the tip of the spear of an aspiring campaign to help our exporters succeed in every potential market.”
The policy proclamation arrives amidst a series of planned reveals at the Conservative Party conference. the proposal also served as a pointed contrast to perceived past practices, with Patel and griffith referencing “crony appointments” made under previous Labour administrations, specifically citing the brief appointment and subsequent dismissal of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US following reports concerning his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
furthermore, the shadow ministers criticized Labour’s approach to post-Brexit trade, alleging the party is “ceding to Brussels powers” regarding tariff-setting and border control.The Conservative Party’s commitment to prioritizing exports through this new ambassadorial approach signals a focus on economic growth and a more proactive role for British businesses on the global stage.
