James Earle

Former adviser No 10, FCDO and DIT. Tweeting about what interests me. Views very much my own.

[Simon Clarke @SirSimonClarke]

Great to be out supporting the outstanding @CarolineElsom, Noel Dube and John Pain in #WandsworthTown this evening!

Polls close at 10pm - don’t miss your chance to have your say!

#VoteConservative

[Kathryn Porter @KathrynPorter26]

While the UK blocks it's ears and pretends its oil and gas resources aren't worth bothering with, Norway has just launched its latest licensing round with 70 new blocks in the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea

"The oil and gas industry is crucial for Norway and for Europe. The government is today announcing new exploration areas in the APA to further develop the petroleum sector, so that it can continue to create great value for the community, lay the foundation for good jobs throughout the country, ensure our common welfare and contribute to Europe's energy security and safety" says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre

Pity @ed_milband refuses to accept the same is true for the UK and @Keir_Starmer lets him do whatever he wants, regardless of the consequences

@clairecoutinho @andrewbowie_mp

https://t.co/3gjtW3GIQd

[Jordan Schneider @jordanschneider]

meanwhile tyler cowen out here blogging about symphonies

[University of Leicester @uniofleicester]

Leicester expert’s tale of ancient library makes The Telegraph’s greatest books of 2025 list

👉 https://t.co/LVAMiqwKZV

#CitizensOfChange | @LSWisnom

[Christian Turner @CTurnerFCDO]

Honoured to be nominated to serve as the UK’s Ambassador to the USA 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 @UKinUSA

https://t.co/50ZQ6dJk5t

[Stefan Schubert @StefanFSchubert]

The UK has the biggest tax rate difference between top earners and average earners in the developed world, writes @jburnmurdoch

https://t.co/LdQro5JEj9

[Erik Hoel @erikphoel]

John von Neumann has become a symbol of a pop-hereditarianism that is as annoying as the blank slatism it once criticized.
So I investigated. Turns out all the main John von Neumann legends are based on pop-sci book slop. https://t.co/qlfrycar7M

[Thomas Drew @TomDrewUK]

C’est officiel. I’m now formally Ambassador.

[Moorland Association @MoorlandAssoc]

Birds of Prey Are Thriving - So Why Are Some Organisations Desperate to Talk It Down? 🦅

🦅 Hen harrier numbers in England are at a 200-year high with 80% of nests on grouse moors.
🪶 Golden eagles, buzzards, red kites and even sea-eagles are all increasing across the UK.
🌾 Grouse moors, just half of hen harrier habitat, are delivering the vast majority of breeding success.
📊 Natural England reports that both Special Protection Areas for hen harriers have now hit favourable status.
🛡️ Gamekeepers are also protecting vulnerable ground-nesting birds like curlew and lapwing.
📉 Despite frequent accusations, just 3% of bird crime is linked to gamekeepers - with zero convictions last year.

We should be celebrating the recovery of birds of prey - not downplaying success.

📲 Read the full story - link in replies 👇

[Alex Boyd @James_Alex_Boyd]

This looks like it was done by the local Lib Dems

[Alex Boyd @James_Alex_Boyd]

How BYD caught up with Tesla in the global EV race 👇🏻
https://t.co/fjEAZ97cRD

[Freedom and Fairness for Northern Cyprus @FFNCyprus]

Today, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar, met the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson.

[Simon Clarke @SirSimonClarke]

Let’s have an informed debate about Greenbelt/Greybelt release in London.

- There is enough Greenbelt land within the boundaries of Greater London – 32,500 hectares – to build 1.6 million houses at average densities.

- Only 22% of that land is public access and environmentally protected. The rest ranges from golf courses to garages to utilities.

Today’s very belated shift by the Mayor of London is a vindication for brave, principled campaigners like @Siobhain_Mc.

Let’s build the homes we need, where we need them most, AND protect the countryside. It can be a win on all fronts.

[Alex Boyd @James_Alex_Boyd]

V welcome news that DBT has landed the FTA with India, a major breakthrough with a key partner. India’s a tough and difficult negotiator, so getting this over the line is no small thing. On first glance, the package looks respectable but lots of detail still to come out.

[James Earle @JamesAWEarle]

@TomDrewUK A wonderful and much deserved appointment. Félicitations!

[Joanna Roper @JoannaRoperFCDO]

Extremely proud moment as my husband @TomDrewUK is announced to be the UK’s Ambassador to France starting later this year.

🇳🇱 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 @FCDOGovUK

[Thomas Drew @TomDrewUK]

I feel very privileged to be appointed His Majesty's Ambassador to France – such a critical partner for the UK at this time of global change and a country I first lived in over 45 years ago.
https://t.co/ePC1sj9trz

[Alex Boyd @James_Alex_Boyd]

More questions than answers for allies following Trump’s abrupt 90 delay to tariffs. Not clear what the US wants, nor what happens should 90 days expire without agreement. But countries now see Bessent as the person to talk to, not Lutnick or Greer. https://t.co/CrzIxoTdTF

[Alex Boyd @James_Alex_Boyd]

This is possible but Lighthizer and others who may decide policy don’t think like this. They think tariffs should be used *as they serve domestic political objectives* and should not be bargaining chips for wider foreign policy goals. That said, trade with UK seen as more balanced than EU esp Germany (autos), Ireland (pharma), France (ag) and Italy so tariffs as balancing tool may not be sought in same way.

[Alex Boyd @James_Alex_Boyd]

Largely unworkable, incredibly complex, and fiendishly difficult to implement. Suspect we will see examples made of some pour encourager les autres rather than a serious attempt to put in place an across the board applied tariff based on pure reciprocity, which would create huge burdens and bureaucracy.