Procurement rules and UK diplomatic cars

The FT draws attention to a matter that has probably excited the UK motor industry since it first came into existence: the fact that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not buy more British-made cars for overseas diplomatic missions. But, legally, the FCO does not have a completely free hand: a spokesman said

“The procurement of vehicles for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is based on achieving value for money, normally by competition and in a manner that conforms with appropriate UK regulations and EU procurement directives.”

Procurement law being too European for the present state of integration of the Union, then. While there remain national interests to promote, rather than a single European Union interest, rules that insist on setting aside national preferences will be at odds with what many people want to do. Including, as the article explains, the French.