Tom Tugendhat Interviewed by Alec Russell

Conservative politician and foreign affairs expert Tom Tugendhat discusses Britain’s foreign policy in the wake of the debacle in Afghanistan and at a time of pressing threats from China, Russia and elsewhere – and outlines a way ahead for the Conservative Party.

Tugendhat chairs the influential House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee and has earned a reputation for his principled and outspoken views. His Commons speech in August last year on the withdrawal from Afghanistan drew applause after he famously said: ‘This doesn’t need to be defeat, but right now damn well feels like it.’ Tugendhat served in the army during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He has described his role as defending the values of freedom, democracy, the ability to challenge authority and the ability to trade and travel globally. He said in February he would consider running to be Conservative Party leader if Boris Johnson stood down.

Tugendhat became MP for Tonbridge and Malling in 2015 and has been chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee since 2017. Here he talks to FT Weekend editor Alec Russell.

An FT Weekend at the Bodleian event.