Mark Sedwill

Crossbench Peer | Chair | Strategic Adviser | Former Cabinet Secretary and National Security Adviser |

[Mark Sedwill @marksedwill]

So very sad to have learnt of the untimely death of a great friend and colleague, Sir Alex Younger. We were at St Andrews University together, had parallel careers and retired together in autumn 2020. He was an outstanding national security leader. I will miss him terribly. Love and condolences to Sarah and the family.

[Mark Sedwill @marksedwill]

NATO as a protected enterprise is finished. US won’t keep the sea lanes open alone. Britain’s answer is expeditionary forces — anchoring NATO’s northern flank and reaching the Gulf and Indo-Pacific. My latest @spectator:

https://t.co/myC0TmdwIK

[Mark Sedwill @marksedwill]

Five structural forces. US-China rivalry. Hormuz — the largest energy market disruption in history. Taiwan. And one verdict for business.
https://t.co/CBjE5kNbUb https://t.co/0oJVcVjLY6

[Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound]

Further to Blair. Literally every honest sensible person in all the main parties privately agrees with all these propositions:

- welfare spending is too high and is throwing good people on the scrapheap
- defence spending is too low
- the triple lock is unsustainable
- without cheap energy we cannot exploit the AI revolution
- we should be investing in EVERY form of energy: renewables, nuclear and the North Sea
- migration needs to be controlled to boost social cohesion and because the boats look like a huge failure of the state
- any new relationship with the EU will be imposed on us until we are stronger and cannot involve the closeness some desire without freedom of movement
- we are deeply embedded with America in ways which the public does not understand and cannot be told and however joyous it makes us feel to hate Trump, disengagement at the deep state level is not only wholly unrealistic but also undesirable
- Whitehall needs a total overhaul so specific project expertise and political appointees can be brought in quickly

Blair basically says all that.

The one thing he doesn’t say and which the same group of people agree on is this and it’s something Blair left behind:

- judges and quangos have too much power, are unaccountable and without redressing the balance in favour of parliament it is very difficult to do anything big fast
- the bare minimum that needs to change in this regard is to reform judicial review and planning law so we can put building and economic growth ahead of newts and NIMBYs

None of that above really ought to be up for discussion. It is all common sense but not one of our politicians will publicly say all of it

Whatever you think of Blair, engage with what he’s saying not how he makes you feel. The bare minimum we should expect from any leader is that they have an analysis of the current situation and a plan to deal with it which is as coherent and realistic as his intervention. Pretty well every critique I’ve read so far has failed to meet this requirement.

Over to Andy and Keir and Kemi and Nigel and Zack and all the others

[Emily Thornberry @EmilyThornberry]

Following Sir Olly's evidence, the Foreign Affairs Committee has today requested that Cat Little, Ian Collard, Sir Philip Barton and Morgan McSweeney attend and give evidence.

Cat Little will give evidence tomorrow at 9am.

Morgan McSweeney will attend Tuesday.

[Steven Swinford @Steven_Swinford]

Exclusive

Sir Keir Starmer should retract his accusations against Sir Olly Robbins and reinstate him, former cabinet secretary Lord Sedwill says

In a letter to The Times he points out that the PM appointed Mandelson against official advice, without conducting security vetting and was 'well aware' of the issues surrounding Mandelson, including his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein

'In his evidence to the foreign affairs committee, Sir Olly Robbins displayed the calm integrity and intelligence which have characterised his distinguished career of public service

'The prime minister appointed Peter Mandelson against official advice, announced that appointment without security vetting having been completed and claims that he would have changed his mind had he been told that the vetting process had raised the concerns about Mandelson’s previous conduct of which he was already well aware.

'As Robbins explained yesterday, the question for him was not whether to tell the prime minister what he already knew, but whether those issues could be mitigated enough to allow Mandelson access to the secret intelligence necessary to do his job. He made the professional judgment that they could

'Unwisely as it turned out, he shouldered his responsibilities rather than shunting them

'The prime minister should retract his accusations against Olly Robbins and reinstate him to the job the country needs him to do of getting the diplomatic service into shape for the second quarter of the 21st century.

[Mark Sedwill @marksedwill]

Olly Robbins acted with the calm integrity and intelligence that have defined his public service. His job was to judge whether #Mandelson’s risks could be mitigated, not tell the PM what he already knew. Starmer should retract his accusations and reinstate him.

[The Times and Sunday Times @thetimes]

Olly Robbins stays civil as he laments how his service got him sacked https://t.co/n50zh5y8X0

[BBC Radio 4 Today @BBCr4today]

“President Trump is clearly particularly exercised by the enriched uranium and that could be the most difficult factor in this.”

Lord Mark Sedwill, former British diplomat and National Security Advisor, gives us his analysis of the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the US.

[BBC Radio 4 Today @BBCr4today]

President Trump has criticised western allies and called on them to 'build up the courage' to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Former national security adviser Lord Sedwill says the Gulf countries do not agree with the comments, but do want other nations to help get the route open.

[Deborah Haynes @haynesdeborah]

Given the understandable focus this weekend on the UK’s lack of air defences, I’m reposting a link to The Wargame podcast

Last April, we simulated a Russian ballistic and cruise missile attack on the UK and how a fictional government COBR might respond

https://t.co/7Zvq7Z8jnB

[Mark Sedwill @marksedwill]

My article in The Independent. We need armed forces designed for Global Britain as well as NATO First. That means expeditionary forces operating worldwide but ready to fight in Europe if deterrence fails. But right now we need to sort out the erosion of our existing force an avoid the embarrassment of taking over a week with heroic efforts by the Navy to get one serviceable destroyer en route to the Med. Political commitments must become delivery programmes. Now. Fast.

https://t.co/8Ceu9Hz1C6

[BBC Radio 4 Today @BBCr4today]

Does the UK pay a price for the delay in military deployment amid the war in the Middle East?

Former National Security Adviser Lord Sedwill says yes, and that 'there will be consequences' including frustration from the US and allies in the Gulf.

[PoliticsHome @politicshome]

Trump’s Iran war aims are far from clear – but the UK cannot afford to use international law as an alibi

✍️ Lord Sedwill
https://t.co/GPMISLpDiV

[Mark Sedwill @marksedwill]

@AmbJohnBolton Interesting piece from my friend, Trump critic and arch neo-con John Bolton. The key question is whether the Trump Admin has a real “day after” plan or whether this is “hit and hope”.

[Mark Sedwill @marksedwill]

As voting closes later today for the next Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, it is truly an honour to be considered for the role.

The University is entering a demanding decade. Funding pressures are real. Global competition is intense. Technology and AI are reshaping teaching and research. Academic freedom requires steady defence in a noisier public climate.

The Chancellor does not run the University. But the ambassadorial role matters to strengthen alumni bonds across generations, support fundraising and partnerships, represent St Andrews credibly at home and overseas, and work with counterparts in other leading universities to protect and promote academic freedom and freedom of speech.

St Andrews transformed my life. I want future generations to have the same experience and opportunities. I have really enjoyed the engagement with alumni, students and academic colleagues during my campaign. If I’m asked to serve as Chancellor, you can count on that same energy and commitment.

[Mark Sedwill @marksedwill]

Congratulations to ⁦@AntoniaRomeoUK⁩. CabSec #15. She will bring dynamism, confidence and a reform agenda to the public service. https://t.co/DnfTPFuIDy

[Mark Sedwill @marksedwill]

As voting opens today for the next Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, it is truly an honour to be considered for this role.

St Andrews transformed my life. I arrived here as a state-educated, first-in-family student and found a place of demanding teaching, strong values, broad horizons and a close community. It gave me confidence and judgement that shaped everything that followed.

I am standing because I believe the University is entering a demanding decade. Funding pressures are real. Global competition is intense. Technology and AI are reshaping how we teach and learn. Academic freedom and serious scholarship require active defence in a noisier public climate.

The Chancellor doesn’t run the University. That responsibility rightly rests with the Principal and her team. But the Chancellor can make a difference by representing St Andrews credibly at home and overseas, strengthening alumni bonds across generations, supporting long-term fundraising and partnerships, and being a clear public voice for academic freedom and freedom of speech.

It’s also, I realise, the first time I have stood for election since becoming President of the St Andrews Athletic Union all those years ago. And I‘ve enjoyed every moment of the opportunity to engage across the St Andrews community. I am deeply honoured by the support and encouragement from alumni, students and academic colleagues.

Voting runs from today until Sunday. If you registered to vote, please do take part. I hope I have earned your vote.

Thank you again to everyone who has supported me. If asked to serve, I will do so with energy, enthusiasm and commitment.

[Mark Sedwill @marksedwill]

3 priorities for St Andrews.

#EverToExcel

[Mark Sedwill @marksedwill]

Grateful to @thetimes for the opportunity to set out why universities, especially St Andrews, are a strategic national asset 👇

https://t.co/fpWQU2mgxc

[Mark Sedwill @marksedwill]

St Andrews transformed my life.

If I can help ensure future generations of students have the same opportunity as I did, I offer my service.

#EverToExcel