The Role of the Policy Planning Staff in British Foreign Policy: Historical Lessons and Contemporary Insights

Kettle, Louise

Abstract

This article challenges the traditional approach to studying the creation of foreign policy within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Whilst most historical and contemporary research has focused upon the role of the Foreign Secretary, Permanent Under Secretary and senior overseas representatives, this article argues that an overlooked department – the Policy Planning Staff, and its contemporary successor, the Policy Unit – has had significant influence over the debate and direction of British foreign policy. Drawing upon documents received under the Freedom of Information Act, archival documents and interviews conducted with current and previous members of the Staff and the wider FCO, this article reveals the rationale for the planning department, its roles, structure, staffing and influence on foreign policy over time. It concludes that the department has been, and remains, a crucial part of the policy-making process and, therefore, warrants further attention from historians and those interested in contemporary foreign policy analysis.

Citation

Kettle, L. (2020). The Role of the Policy Planning Staff in British Foreign Policy: Historical Lessons and Contemporary Insights. Diplomacy and Statecraft, 31(3), 487-508. https://doi.org/10.1080/09592296.2020.1782675

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 25, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Aug 19, 2020
• Publication Date: Aug 19, 2020
• Deposit Date: Mar 27, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 20, 2022
• Journal: Diplomacy & Statecraft
• Electronic ISSN: 1557-301X
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 487-508
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09592296.2020.1782675
• Keywords: Foreign Policy; Diplomatic History; Foreign and Commonwealth Office; FCO; Policy Planning; British Foreign Policy; Foreign Policy Analysis; Policy Unit
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4210438
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09592296.2020.1782675
• Additional Information: Kettle, L. (2020). The Role of the Policy Planning Staff in British Foreign Policy: Historical Lessons and Contemporary Insights. Diplomacy & Statecraft, 31(3), 487–508. https://doi.org/10.1080/09592296.2020.1782675