By prioritising the Commonwealth, the UK can build stronger, more secure trade networks while reinforcing its leadership within this global community. The post Joshua Forrester: The Government should look to the Commonwealth for growth, not China appeared first on Conservative Home.
Joshua Forrester is Chair of the Conservative Friends of the Commonwealth and a London Conservative activist.
Last month, Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, visited the UK and announced a £4 billion investment in a project that will create over 30,000 jobs in the Bristol area. This is in contrast to the Chancellor’s visit to Beijing, which resulted in just £600 million in agreements, a figure both overshadowed by Malaysia’s commitment while also being accompanied by concerns over human rights, cybersecurity, and geopolitical risks linked to China.
This disparity underscores the overlooked economic potential of the Commonwealth as a driver of growth and development for the UK. The Commonwealth family of nations has shared historic and cultural ties with Great Britain and, in many cases, inherited our democratic parliamentary systems that foster transparency, rule of law, and economic reliability. These attributes make the Commonwealth a far more secure and promising partner for long-term collaboration and one that shouldn’t be overlooked.
The Commonwealth is a vast economic market, comprised of 56 countries with a combined population of 2.5 billion people and a collective GDP of over $13 trillion. Intra-Commonwealth trade is projected to reach $2 trillion by 2030, offering significant opportunities for growth. India, the Commonwealth’s largest economy, is expected to become the third-largest economy in the world by 2027. Meanwhile, nations like Australia, Canada, and South Africa bring significant resources, advanced industries, and strategic influence.
Malaysia’s recent investment is an example of growth opportunities from within the Commonwealth. As the 2025 ASEAN Chair, Malaysia is uniquely positioned as the UK’s partner to spearhead growth in Southeast Asia, a region already emerging as a global economic powerhouse. The UK’s engagement with Malaysia not only strengthens bilateral ties but also offers a strategic gateway to ASEAN’s dynamic markets, where opportunities for trade, technology, and infrastructure development abound.
With its rapidly expanding middle class and booming technology sector, India is a prime example of a Commonwealth country that has solidified its position as a global economic leader. Like many Commonwealth countries, India’s large English-speaking population significantly reduces trade friction between our nations.
Similarly, African Commonwealth members such as Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda are becoming hubs of innovation and entrepreneurship. These countries not only share a historical connection with the UK but also exhibit a strong commitment to deepening economic partnerships within the Commonwealth framework and charter.
The Commonwealth’s shared language, and legal frameworks, further reduce the friction of doing business. The “Commonwealth Advantage” is estimated to reduce trade costs between member nations by 21 per cent, making economic partnerships within the bloc significantly more efficient and lucrative than those with non-Commonwealth countries. This advantage, combined with the bloc’s young and dynamic population, ensures a ready workforce and consumer base for future growth.
If the Chancellor is looking abroad for growth, she would be wise to shift towards leveraging the Commonwealth’s vast potential as opposed to strengthening adverse nations with patterns of hostile behaviour. These nations’ alignment with British values, combined with their economic and geopolitical stability, should make them our preferred partners for fostering prosperity and mitigating risks associated with over-reliance on nations like China.
Focusing on the Commonwealth also allows the UK to diversify its trade relationships, reducing dependency on a single market and enhancing resilience in the face of global challenges. Truly allowing us to embrace the Global Britain, we have pursued since 2016.
By prioritising the Commonwealth, the UK can build stronger, more secure trade networks while reinforcing its leadership within this global community. The Government must recognise that the Commonwealth is not just a legacy of the past but a cornerstone for the future. By tapping into the Commonwealth’s immense potential, the UK can secure a path toward sustainable growth, mutual prosperity, and enduring global influence.
The post Joshua Forrester: The Government should look to the Commonwealth for growth, not China appeared first on Conservative Home.
