Reform can’t keep its councillors | The Observer Disillusioned, overwhelmed, or dogged by scandal, nearly 70 councillors have quit, stood down or been kicked out since last May

How about this for a remarkable rate of local councillor attrition!

observer.co.uk/news/politic...

Hegseth provides yet another example of the calamitous effects of journalist-politicos - following the precedents of Gove and Johnson in the UK. Partisan commentary doesn't begin to translate into effective statecraft. Indeed, more often at the extreme end of embarrassing.

Whenever the nationalist far right establish state control, financial corruption follows as surely as night follows day. A common factor in the Orbàn-Putin-Trump nexus. We're seeing this very same pattern taking shape with Farage, even before he gets his hands anywhere near the levers of power.

Rollout of Covid vaccines extraordinary feat - inquiry report Covid vaccines saved hundreds of thousands of lives, but a small minority harmed need better support, says report.

Infamous Gove assertion that we had all had enough of experts; one of the few positives to emerge from the Covid inquiry is the remarkable role of science in coming to the rescue to save lives.

BBC News - Rollout of Covid vaccines extraordinary feat - inquiry report
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The lid is being lifted to confirm just how pivotal Orbàn's Hungary was to the organisation, collaboration and funding of far right international and European networks. That's why all those associated political figures flocked to the country during its election, not least JD Vance.

Good to know you are still in circulation, Dianne.

Orbàn evicted from power in Hungary. Trump struggling and diminished both domestically and internationally, heading for a drubbing in November's mid-terms. Putin stalled as the stalemate in Ukraine grinds on into its fifth year. Is it premature to be a little more optimistic about the future?

Every signature policy initiative launched by Trump has left a trail of chaos or humiliation in its wake: DOGE; ICE; tariffs; pressurising Ukraine to capitulate to Putin; Greenland fiasco; Iranian offensive. Way beyond a story of failure; this a presidency in full meltdown.

Hungarian voters have the opportunity to inflict the second humiliation on the Trump règime within a week, following foolish interference in that election by Trump's henchman, JD Vance.

It's TACO again! But nothing can erase from the public record Trump threatening genocide in another country. This man glorifies in violence, domestically and internationally. Yet, he can be outstrategised by virtually anyone because of his foolish impulsiveness.

Trump threats cause dilemma for US officers: disobey orders or commit war crimes Legal experts say attacking Iran’s infrastructure would constitute a war crime – but would military officers be held responsible?

Surely senior US military commanders are obliged to make a stand when ordered to attack Iran civilian infrastructure by Trump and Hegseth in breach of international law.

www.theguardian.com/law/2026/apr...

Happy Easter.

Blessed are the peacemakers.

Is the US committing war crimes by targeting Iran’s civilian infrastructure? International law experts ‘seriously concerned’ about ‘strikes on schools, health centres and homes’ in contravention of Geneva conventions

It would appear that Trump is intent on joining Netanyahu and Putin in the ranks of the world's international war criminals.

www.theguardian.com/law/2026/apr...

No doubt you've heard the gist of Starmer's press conference this morning. As a result of Trump's antics a reset of our relationship with the EU will be accelerated.

If anything the opposite, Paul. Shows that we will continue to act as the adults in the room.

It will at least accelerate the re-set of our European relationship. The fly in the ointment there, though, is Orbàn - Europe's Trump equivalent. If he manages to rig the imminent election, Hungary should be evicted from the EU.

Trump continues to rage, demanding x, y and z. But guess what; nothing happens any more. He is shouting into a void. The whole Trump edifice is crumbling; his credibility shot to pieces.

Will remind Trump that UK is a sovereign not vassal state!

Pope seems to rebuke Hegseth in remarks about leaders with ‘hands full of blood’ Pontiff’s unusually pointed comments come after US defence secretary’s prayer for violence against enemies ‘who deserve no mercy’

Poignant in Holy Week. A rebuke from the Pope for grotesque evangelical hijacking of Christianity within Trump circle to justify gratuitous violence and wars of choice.

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

Show of strength by Reform MPs at PMQs turns into a cameo appearance | John Crace A well-timed jibe by the prime minister at Nigel Farage’s side-hustle seemed to provoke the party leader into staging a mass walkout

All Farage good for - disruptive antics. Repeat performance of his past behaviour in European Parliament. Baulks at idea of running financially challenged Worcestershire County Council, let alone taking on Whitehall with its on-going externally generated crises.

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

The Brexit so closely linked to Farage denied reality of interdependence; that's why it's done so much damage to the British economy. Trump's unilateralism flies in the face of very same interdependence; hence havoc currently impacting global economy. The nationalist Right are impoverishing us all!

Trump prides himself on burning through other people's reputations. But now Netanyahu has been allowed to irreparably damage Trump's political reputation, such that it was. What happens when foreign policy is sub-contracted to your son-in-law and a golfing buddy.

NATO countries should ignore Trump's latest rant. He threatens all sorts yet, just like Putin, he can't even successfully prosecute the one conflict he's already initiated.

When evaluating Premierships context is so crucial. Starmer inherited a flatlining economy, crumbling public services and constraints of high public borrowing levels. Internationally, a major European security threat in Ukraine and, within months of taking Office, an unhinged US President. Daunting!

Truss and Trump both object lessons in the price we all pay for stupidity in high office.

'Trumpflation'. That epiphet will be Trump's legacy for the remainder of his days in Office.

Iran threatens Gulf energy facilities after Israeli attack on its largest gasfield Revolutionary Guards say they will strike infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar after South Pars field hit

US-Israel Middle East military strategy just becomes more and more bizarre and self-defeating.

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

Whereas Trump - and those around him - are increasingly viewed as incompetent goons outside US, courting global disaster, Starmer is highly regarded on the international stage. Even more so given his patience over Trump's school playground invective directed towards him.

Contrary to promises, Reform politicians when they take control raise everyone else's taxes, whilst going to considerable lengths to avoid paying taxes themselves. Could explain why, as a Tory defector, Zahawi was welcomed with open arms.

Trump's spell broken. Alienated so many former US allies. His foolishness writ large for all to see. Unable to sustain consistent policy positions from one 24-hour period to the next. Nepotism, cronyism and corruption rife in his règime. What former strategic hegemons are like when unravelling.