The latest annual Global Soft Power Index was released overnight. It’s run by consultancy Brand Finance which polls 170,000 people globally on perceptions of the 193 UN member state nations on 55 different metrics. It’s good news for Xi…
The UK has always come second to the US in the global league table but is this time pipped to the position by the Chinese who score their highest ever 72.8 out of 100. Progress stemming from initiatives like the Belt and Road…
The UK’s drop to third place “reflects a period of stagnation in its nation brand perceptions” with no progress on the ‘Business and Trade’ as well as ‘Governance’ metrics. This comes as Lammy launches his much-vaunted “UK Soft Power Council” which will help “by bringing together experts from across culture, sport, the creative industries and geopolitics.” Going well then…
As China pulls ahead of the UK Labour is increasingly keen to cosy up to Xi Jinping’s regime and is keen to boost its hard power by handing the strategically-vital Chagos Islands to its ally Mauritius. Nice one…
Asked by Lobby hacks about his past comments on Trump (“any UK politician who gave Trump the time of day should be ashamed right now”) Burnham was blithe:
“Politicians say things throughout their career, but now the important thing is to focus on the moment you are in.”
Were it so easy…