Think if has started in 1932 it would have changed Hitler's calculations...

suspect the Treasury would make similar one now...assumes though that fiscal hair shirt is always vital component and that adversaries will wait around while you delay rearming..destroys deterrence..Hitler felt enabled by British military weakness..

Elegant, by @philipstephens.bsky.social

The UK faces a security emergency.

Fiscal fetishism will kill us.

So will shredding what’s left of our social contract, or “just spending” regardless of stoking excessive inflation.

A major economic reorientation, very much involving Europe, is required.

History doesn't repeat itself but Treasury's effort to scupper a real strengthening of Britain's defences holds up pretty clear mirror to 1930s when it blocked rearmament until it was too late to credibly deter Hitler's expansionism. All in the cause of a balanced budget. For Baldwin read Starmer?

Ref Mandelson...As I hear it security vetting outcomes sent to relevant Whitehall department (in this case FCDO) are not framed as pass or fail..rather as there no risks or here are the risks we found...the pass/fail judgment is then made by department. None of reasoning can be passed to ministers

Or maybe the rules prohibited the sharing of any vetting information with ministers, including the prime minister. And maybe the security services flagged up risks but did not make a "recommendation" that Robbins "over-ruled". Once Robbins made his decision he could not discuss any dimension.

Had the same thoughts this morning listening to that story. If you decide to make a headline story about that kind of inflammatory accusations you shd have a few more facts to support that claim.

So did Meloni pay Trump to launch his attack on her?

Pollster friend tells me informal (unscientific) surveys show much higher proportion of working age reform voters on benefits than mainstream parties …is this turkeys and Christmas? They

Completely agree. This is an appalling shirking of responsibility. George Robertson is right to make his criticism public

Starmer accused of ‘corrosive complacency’ on UK defence by former Nato chief Lord George Robertson, author of British military review, says premier is not willing to make the necessary investment

This is a real failure of leadership on Starmer's part. Security is the first duty of government. The Treasury says Britain cannot afford to defend itself. The prime minister's job is to tell the Treasury to find the money.

www.ft.com/content/88b1...

Opinion | Orban’s defeat shows the Achilles’ heel of populist power Formerly ascendant European right-wing parties are in retreat, a possible omen Trump’s MAGA movement.

Facing electoral repudiation, populists resort to changing the political rules and repressing dissent to hang onto power. That was a successful strategy for Orban until the amount of voter dissatisfaction became too great to repress using the methods of soft authoritarianism. bit.ly/4mr52EH

Trump’s Erratic Behavior and Extreme Comments Revive Mental Health Debate

Finally the NY Times publishes a substantial story about Trump’s mental unfitness.
Peter Baker writes: “Never in modern times has the stability of a president been so publicly and forensically debated.” That’s an interesting statement, considering that NYT has tiptoed around the issue. (Gift link)

What was it the Taliban used to say.....The Americans have the watches, we have the time....

JD Vance backs Orbán's re-election bid in Budapest visit and hits out at EU US Vice-President JD Vance intervenes in the campaign to give Orbán a ringing endorsement in Budapest.

Beautiful to see the effect of JD Vance's endorsement ... 👀

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyv16lq2rp1o

Europe’s far right questions merits of Trump ties after Orbán defeat Alternative for Germany quarrels about Maga after Hungarian election fiasco

some bright minds at work here

as.ft.com/r/b0ed5f53-6...

Almost everything (add his expressed anti-semitism) that British voters need to know about Nigel Farage and Reform as they approach the May elections.

Trump is wailing, Putin is gnashing his teeth, Hungary has a democratic government. There are bright spots …

Richard Tice tax row is 'minor administrative error', party claims A property company owned by the Reform UK deputy leader failed to pay £91,000 in tax on dividends, according to the Sunday Times.

Dubai Dickie not paying tax? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I spent 16, SIXTEEN years fighting this crap.

I can’t believe it 😭

One thing I’m thinking about this evening is the extent to which the enormous bravery and sacrifice of the Ukraine people in facing down Russian threats - first electorally & subsequently militarily - blunted the appeal of pound-shop autocrats with a line to the Kremlin and revealed their corruption

As as European I am thrilled by the return of democracy to Hungary. As an individual I can't wait to book a visit to Budapest.

That should be "rational"...

Trump announces naval blockade of Strait of Hormuz as Iran peace talks fail Reopening the critical waterway is a sticking point in negotiations as oil supply bottlenecks prompt a global energy crisis

Iran has shut off most of the oil. Unless it lifts its blockade, Trump promises the US navy will make sure NOTHING gets through! He's never rationale, but the mullahs have got seriously under his skin....

www.ft.com/content/49fb...

Thank you Helene! I spend a great deal of time saying this.

The FT's bosses knew that when the paper reported on a major hedge-funder that litigation would ensue. You have to be brave to face the possibility of a £79m lawsuit and shelling out over £10m in costs. The FT's confidence in its excellent reporting paid off. Well done. www.ft.com/content/6966...

The Telegraph just gave a convicted criminal a two-page spread to explain why he's pumping £4 million into Reform UK. They tucked his criminal record away in the small print. So as a former financial crime specialist I’ll do their job for them👇

Sorry..this is it!

www.ft.com/content/6966...

Apologies..earlier had incorrect link!

www.ft.com/content/6966...

Hear hear