In a letter to the editor, Professor Mark R Sanderson argues that the British Council remains a crucial strategic asset for the United Kingdom in the post-Brexit era. He warns against the ongoing hollowing out of the organisation, particularly in Europe, where it has historically served as one of Britain's most effective instruments of soft power.
Soft Power Under Threat
The British Council has long been instrumental in teaching English, fostering cultural and scientific exchanges, and building long-term goodwill that no advertising campaign could replicate. However, the proposed sale or downsizing of well-established teaching centres in Madrid, Milan, and Naples, along with the loss of dedicated skilled staff, would result in irreparable damage. These properties were acquired when city-centre real estate was affordable; replacing them at a similar cost would be impossible.
Loss of Libraries and Cultural Presence
Professor Sanderson highlights the disappearance of the council's excellent libraries in Paris, Rome, Athens, and Lisbon—collections amassed over decades that were once central to Britain's cultural footprint in Europe. Since Brexit, the British Council has lost access to EU programmes that previously supported a significant portion of its European operations. Combined with the financial shock of the pandemic, this has led to closures, redundancies, and a retreat from a continent where the UK once had a strong cultural presence.
A Call for Stable Funding
This retrenchment is occurring precisely when Britain needs more international engagement, not less. The British Council is not a luxury; it is a strategic asset that deserves stable funding and a clear role in Britain's post-Brexit foreign policy. Professor Sanderson urges policymakers to recognise its value and ensure it is properly funded rather than hollowed out.
