POLITICS CORNER

[Whyperion]

The US has been wary of the UN , Trump more so (see last time out).

The Guardian suggests Labour Policy on Ukraine is wrong in terms of Ukraine Victory unrealistic. It didnt want negotiations with Russia nor NATO boots on ground to kick Russia and thus was wholly dependent on Ukraine Population fighting Russia (and its allies) using only (weak) sanctions as wider bargain.
This now leaves Ukraine under threat of extinction of its culture and people BBC Report from Jeremy Bowen.

In The UK , with the recently announced 6percent rise in Electric Costs - way above increases in benefits / pensions (and also nearer absolute bigger rises as low percent on a low number is less than 6 on a high nearly.

Labour is losing support fastest among voters who feel economically insecure, according to a report urging Keir Starmer to focus on boosting living standards, rather than on culture wars and immigration.

“A party that delivers on economic security – supporting people by bringing down costs and giving people a chance to restock their savings safety net – can feel much more secure in their electoral prospects too. Without it we’re likely to see much more political volatility and further electoral fragmentation.”

Labour shot itself in the foot with the not letting all pensioners get the winter fuel allowance and is in real disarray that it wont face up to.

[Tizer]

This must be the biggest reverse ferret in the history of the UN.

Yes, it's goodbye America, the `special relationship' is ended - at least as far as the Trump regime is concerned. But cracks are appearing and widening in that regime and between it and government employees who are receiving mixed messages. Trump told reporters at the White House that Musk's demand was a "genius" move. "There was a lot of genius in sending it," he said. "We're trying to find out if people are working and so we're sending a letter to people, please tell us what you did last week. If people don't respond, it's very possible that there is no such person or they're not working." "And then if you don't answer like you're sort of semi-fired or you're fired because a lot of people are not answering because they don't even exist," Trump said. (BBC)

Despite pushback from agencies led by Trump appointees, the White House insisted, "Everyone is working together as one unified team at the direction of President Trump". "Any notion to the contrary is completely false," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. The statement did not explain why different government agencies were giving different recommendations.

[Whyperion]

Switching Foreign Aid to Defence (and the 13bn uplift seems at odds with the actual maths) . Well you cannot eat a bomb. But some of the spend on at the end of the day people will flow back into the economy. Some seems like a change in the budget line rather than the activity changes. We need to know what can be funded though .- new Jet Aircraft, additional ships , nuclear replacement , boots with people in them

UPDATE from America

Republican lawmaker Mike Johnson was asked for his opinion on claims Donald Trump has made in the past week or so about Ukraine, its leader and the war with Russia.

You start any arbitration process by "meeting individually with the two parties", Johnson said, and current talks are "very productive". He also praised Trump for talking about getting Ukraine "back to a posture of peace"

- Well that looks good (and makes Ukraine look the aggressor -- its a funny old world )

[Whyperion]

Starmer had better beware , war costs money. In WW2 the US nearly did to the UK what it is doing moneywise to Ukraine. Wonder if all that Gold in fort knox will end up with Musk and Trump ?

Ukraine has agreed mineral terms with the US (not signed yet) no security guarantees so I dont see Trump binding himself to it if he can have Russian ones too .

[Stanley]

That's a very fair assessment Peter and I agree with it.
I shan't be shedding any tears about the 'special relationship'! It never existed and was like the other oft repeated phrase 'punching above our weight' simply hot air.
See THIS report about the former Labour MP who was gaoled.
MP Mike Amesbury has been urged to quit as it emerged he will still get paid while serving time in prison for repeatedly punching a man in his Cheshire constituency. The Runcorn and Helsby MP, who has been suspended from the Labour Party, was jailed for 10 weeks at Chester Magistrates' Court on Monday after admitting the assault, which was caught on CCTV footage. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called on him to resign or face recall so his constituents can have a new MP but said the government had no remit relating to MPs pay. The Independent Parliament Standards Authority (IPSA), which regulates MPs' pay, said the rules mean that until a member is suspended as a result of a House of Commons disciplinary procedure they must be paid their salary.
That wouldn't arise if he was a bus conductor.... Why should MPs be any different?

[Whyperion]

Do we need to spend Anything on Defence. If the US doesnt share our values, are we at best in a weak pact with effectively the EU ? What are we defending ? How can we actually do it ? Japan might be thinking itself in a similar way (though some are saying East Russia/Siberia would like a form of regional , or more, independence from Moscow).


Is Trump smarter than we think ? Is the falling over some words the sign of a brain working faster than he mouth can ? Baddenoch didnt get the accounting trick uplift in defence spending over five years(we need ammon, new rifles, and new tanks) to stick on Starmer - Trump might which I hope Starmer is prepared for.

BBC Report Ukraine War Estimate of Russian Deaths . Reminds me of the Oxford University Class of 1913 where talent got wasted.

[Whyperion]

Ukraine War . Starmer would like some kind of peacekeeping force if needed , with the US providing some kind of (military) reassurance
Trump say "We will be on the land and that way there is going to be automatic security because nobody is going to be messing around with our people." and this is in respect of mineral deal. which in a way makes sense , however
Russian Peace - dont be surprised If a lot of Russians come into Ukraine to "help" with the mineral work etc , there is more than one way to change a country and if right wing people in UK suggest illegal immigrants are coming to UK to turn it into an islamic state much the same would be true in a way to complete a Russian focused state of Ukraine.

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report on the Chagos Islands.....
The Chagos Islands deal will not go forward without the support of US President Donald Trump, the foreign secretary has said. David Lammy told ITV's Peston programme, the UK had "a shared military and intelligence interest" with the US "and of course they've got to be happy with the deal or there is no deal". The UK is in talks with Mauritius about handing over the territory but continuing to lease one of the islands, Diego Garcia, which contains a UK-US military airbase.
Lammy still hasn't come clean.... I told you that the US Base on Diego Garcia is one of their most important intel gathering sites because of its position and no way will the US allow anyone to take control, not even us. That's why Trump has to agree to the terms of any settlement.

[Tizer]

`What an AI-generated video of Gaza reveals about Trump tactics' BBC Verify

[Whyperion]

Normally when the UK PM meets the US President it is some kind of mutual love-in with warm words from both sides.

"A True One Off in Town as a New Leader" Starmer Quoted as Saying ( actually in reference to Peter Mandleson )

Starmer's speeches seem written by Civil Service with a full on Sir Humphrey coding.

Apparently there is a difference between trade statistics between UK and USA (2023 Trade Surplus for UK 71Billon GB) and USA and Great Britain (Trade Surplus USD 15billion in US Favor) Differences appear to be how stats are calculated and where for trade the Isle of Man Falls. I am surprised the UK sells the US so much stuff. I assume it is insurance/re-insurance via the City of London for a lot of the trade flows and aircraft servicing Rolls Royce contracts / Airbus sales possibly one off 2023 specific, also UK Oil is needed by the US for blending and refining purposes.

Starmer reminds Trump UK aid to Ukraine was gifted , not loans (Pity we need our share of the rare metals)

[Tripps]

I'm watching a meeting of Pendle Council. It's to set the budget, and some large amounts of money are being discussed. They have just adjourned (for the second time this meeting) to what at one time would have been a "smoke filled room" - no doubt to cobble together something they don't want the good citizens of Pendle to hear about. Not too democratic I'd say. It should all be in public session and on the record.

I've just noticed that there is not a single elected councillor who is a member of the ruling Labour Party - just Conservative, Liberal, Indpendent and Pendle True Independent. (As opposed to Pendle False Independent? )

Must go they're back. . . .

Later that same evening -
The motion for the Budget proposed and seconded by the Whipp gang, has been heavily defeated, by 20 votes to 4 with one abstention. They don't seem to know what to do next. David Whipp has helpfully pointed out that they can't set the Council Tax until the Budget is approved, so it's quite important. He has already threatened them with a 3.00 am finish if there is no agreement.

This seems to come as a surprise - especially to the Leader who has done very little if any, leading that I've noticed. That's the cue to adjourn back to the smoke filled room, (for the third time of asking), and do a deal without the pesky public hearing what they really think.

The Head of Policy, solicitor Howard Culshaw, looks stressed, and as if he could do with a break for Yoga.

I await round three. . . .

11.20pm - They have now agreed to drop the £2.21 million for a new waste transfer station since they probably don't need it as the one they have isn't too bad, and the waste system is probably going to be reorganised anyway. This is passed comfortably though David Whipp intervenes and says that isn't really what he meant.

A series of proposals for expenditure from David Whipp follow. A new subtansive motion is defeated, and there follows a series of proposals for smaller projects. Many members seem not to know what they are voting for, and if it has already been voted on. Some or all this is probably unconstitutional, but that's to be argued tomorrow. I've had enough. . .

Someone from Specsavers in the foyer, sellingt bifocals would do a good trade,

[Stanley]

Lovely David.... Thanks for that!

Look at THIS.....
A trade deal between the US and UK could happen "very quickly", President Donald Trump said at a joint press conference with Sir Keir Starmer. Speaking during the prime minister's visit to the White House, Trump envisaged "a real trade deal" which could see the UK avoid the kind of tariffs the president has been threatening on some of the US's other trading partners.
In other words, if we give him full access to the NHS he won't punish us..... All Trump is interested in is 'what's in it for me?'

[Whyperion]

I have never understood why waste collection was the responsibility of the parish - presumably related to local electricity generation and burning of waste ( which at one time there was not that much other than waste food ) . Maybe it should be a county wide operation.

[Whyperion]

Sunday sees a european leaders defence summit, in England. Wonder who is writing the agenda.

Can anyone make sense of the word salad of Trump and Vance in the early meeting / press conference at the White House today ?
Will Charles rescind the invitation to Trump to come to UK?

[Stanley]

The politics feed is dominated by THIS
Ukraine's president had been hoping to leave the White House on Friday after positive talks with Donald Trump, capped with the signing of a minerals deal giving the US a real stake in his country's future, if not an outright security guarantee. Instead Volodymyr Zelensky faced an extraordinary dressing down in front of the world's media, after President Trump and his Vice-President JD Vance demanded that he show more gratitude for years of US support. The Ukrainian president pushed back at suggestions from his more powerful partners that he should work harder to agree a ceasefire with Vladimir Putin. They responded that he was being "disrespectful". Zelensky was eventually told to leave the White House early before he and Trump could even take the stage for a scheduled news conference.
The words that come to my mind are arrogance, disrespect,bullying and chaos and none of them refer to Zelensky.

[Whyperion]

Someone asked where are the Presidents (of the US) , unfortunately the three main past ones are Democrat plus Bush , not exactly a combination to stand up for the American Constitution. Trump apparently has deep animosity to the Democrat ones including a virtual price on Obama.

With Respect to the Oval Office Meeting Was it Vance or Rubino who suggested that some things had been said prior to the meeting (presumably about the agreement ?) Rubino afterward has accused Zalensky of wasting everyone's time - There is more than Zelensky in the negotiating team as such and such little niggles should have been ironed out. Trump alas going for effect and one up on the Democrats etc .

Should Starmer actually speak to the nation, or at least the Commons on Monday ?

[Stanley]

I've been giving what happened in the Oval Office a bit of thought and I think that one scenario is that Zelensky fell into a trap set by Trump who used his attack dog Vance to push the Ukrainian President into a position where Trump could come in and make his points, that he wants peace and is trying to put right Zelensky's mistakes. Then in effect he accuses him of 'disrespect' of the venue, the sacred Oval Office and he will only be let back in when he wants peace. In other words when he will grovel and give Trump a better deal than what was on the table yesterday. Remember the Trump manifesto, 'What's in it for me?'
(But what the hell do I know about it.... )

[Whyperion]

The UK Prime Minister has resisted commenting publicly on yesterday’s row. Downing Street says Keir Starmer has spoken to both presidents.
Zelenski is in London now for a Meeting with Starmer, and will stay for the European Defence Summit ( no Baltic States ) on Sunday. Starmer is on Kunesburg on BBC1 at 9am, expect evasive answers. Most of Zelenski's speaking seems reasonable. I could see Trump saying the same things to the UK in 1940 in the same manner. (And as a thought How did Adolf hang on for so long - well until 1943 ? there was care and support from Russia / USSR including a messy Ukraine Situation where everyone wanted independence and ended up getting strongarmed to fight (and die) for someone else.

[Tizer]

BBC 16:30 Breaking news
King Charles III will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tomorrow, the BBC understands.
We'll bring you the latest on this as we get it. Stay with us.

Well done Charles, that's a poke in the eye for Trump!

[Tripps]

Big big mistake.


I can't imagine his mum doing that.

[Whyperion]

Too many Summits ?
The rocky journey to finding peace in Ukraine continues. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has invited European leaders to London tomorrow (Sunday) ahead of a summit in Paris on 6 March.

Leaders from France, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Turkey, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Romania have all been invited - as well as the presidents of the European Council, European Commission and Nato Secretary General.

He'll meet for talks with President Zelensky and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni before Sunday's summit aimed at securing “lasting and enforced” peace in Ukraine.

I presume Zelensky then heads to Norfolk to meet Charles at Sandringham ? before flying out from Stanstead (or is he on to Paris as well ?) I am not sure what UK Gains , or loses, by playing the King again. Given Starmer has spoken to Trump and Zelensky by phone already he must have an informed opinion for the decision.

Starmer plays Russian Roulette with British Taxpayer Money
The UK and Ukraine have agreed a £2.26bn loan to support Ukraine's defence capabilities, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko says.
Volodymyr Zelensky and Sir Keir Starmer, together with Chancellor Rachel Reeves, held a video call with Marchenko this evening.
Marchenko wrote on social media, external that the funds are "ensured by frozen Russian assets".


Didnt realise Canada and EU ministers together today , summary from another leader of the free world

[Stanley]

I have to agree with David. Uncomfortably close to dabbling in politics....
See THIS analysis of Anneliese Dodds resignation, worth reading I think.
Keir Starmer has lost four senior ministers since coming to power last July. Although she was not a high profile minister, the departure of Anneliese Dodds is the most significant so far. She is the first to resign over policy. Although she says she will support the PM from the backbenches, her letter of resignation, external delivered a coruscating critique. She - along with most Labour MPs – recognises defence spending needs to rise, but she disagrees with how it is being funded. She suggests that Britain's reputation will be damaged - but she is also denting her leader's. In effect, she is saying he is being misleading over the effect of the cuts, which will "remove food and healthcare from desperate people". And that while he has made a tactical decision – essentially, using a defence spending hike to grease the wheels of his meeting with President Trump - she maintains that the PM has made a strategic error which could bolster Russia and China's global influence.

[Whyperion]

The politics feed is dominated by THIS
Ukraine's president had been hoping to leave the White House on Friday after positive talks with Donald Trump, capped with the signing of a minerals deal giving the US a real stake in his country's future, if not an outright security guarantee. Instead Volodymyr Zelensky faced an extraordinary dressing down in front of the world's media, after President Trump and his Vice-President JD Vance demanded that he show more gratitude for years of US support. The Ukrainian president pushed back at suggestions from his more powerful partners that he should work harder to agree a ceasefire with Vladimir Putin. They responded that he was being "disrespectful". Zelensky was eventually told to leave the White House early before he and Trump could even take the stage for a scheduled news conference.
The words that come to my mind are arrogance, disrespect,bullying and chaos and none of them refer to Zelensky.

Thats what I thought, but this longer 50 mins full event from Forbes shows a different style for the first 25 mins with Trump being modest aiming to be an honest broker to try to end the war. I think having it as a open press event caused confusion and a lack of what the meeting was actually trying to achieve when both parties have a difference of view (not least as one of them is being bombed daily) . It has been suggested that Trump worked out he couldnt bring a peace and thus sent the meeting to blame others for this failure. Vance correctly points out feeding a war effort hasnt really worked so worth trying something different. but a better VP who actually could see (and care) for both sides , might have been able to call the meeting back to order with simple question re commercial shared interests being a security guarantee and thus a meaningful stage of next implementation.
I am understanding that there was three days of negotiations about the US Ukraine Deal so I am baffled that the White House timetable was not signing of the deal then questions afterwards.

[Whyperion]

UK to build defence missiles for Ukraine funded by UK export credits. Items to be made in Belfast, which presumably has explosive experience. Not sure if the IRA was funded by Soviets for destabilisation of the UK in the past.

Why does Trump want Peace ?
A) He Wants to Get Back to Normal Relations with Russia
B) He specifically wants to do an aluminium deal with Russia , to bypass Canada as an (expensive) supplier of ore etc

[Stanley]

I am no fan of Sir Kier Starmer as you all know but I approve THIS way of appro0aching the Ukraine problem with Trump who is entirely unpredictable.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK and France will work with Ukraine "on a plan to stop the fighting" with Russia - and will then "discuss that plan with the United States". Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is attending a summit of European leaders, two days after a fiery exchange with US President Donald Trump in the White House. Sir Keir told BBC One's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that his "driving purpose" right now was to act as a "bridge" between the two men. Asked about how he felt watching the spat in the White House, Sir Keir sought to play down the incident, saying "nobody wants to see that" and admitted he felt "uncomfortable".