Another energy fail. Unlike oil, gas trades at regional rates, not global rates. Gas from the UK North Sea is piped to our shores. Most of it stays in the UK. A small amount goes into the European system. The more that comes out of the North Sea the bigger the dampening effect on domestic prices because it is cheaper than LNG. But the real benefits are security of supply (the government has ultimate control over it via licenses), more taxable revenue (to cut fuels bills), fewer imports, stronger sterling, more jobs, smaller carbon footprint than LNG. What’s not to like? Why create jobs in Stavanger when you could be creating them in Stonehaven.
@EmmaforWycombe He's presiding over one of the fastest declines in economic performance we've ever had
His high taxes and high energy costs are destroying the economy
He bangs on about growth while implementing policies designed to do the opposite
“We’re entering Disenlightenment where we de-learn all the stuff that seemed so important to us in the 18th century: knowledge, scientific truths, democratic debate. No room for doubt, only the recital of certainties.”
Rod Liddle on fine form:-
https://t.co/FUhzHhnSuo
Well, thank God also for free and open debate.
Having visited Ukraine every year but one since 2011, I think I have an informed and realistic view.
I repeatedly criticized the Biden administration for its failure to deter Putin in 2021 and failure to end the war while Ukraine still had some leverage.
I have said more than once in the past three years that the war would not have happened if President Trump had been reelected in 2020.
I supported his campaign for reelection last year, consistently predicted his and your victory, and welcomed the “vibe shift” that victory represented.
I have also supported the President’s previous calls to negotiate peace between Russia and Ukraine.
So I am not sure I really qualify as a globalist.
In fact, I agree with all five of the points you make. Indeed, I praised your Munich speech.
But I simply cannot understand the logic of beginning a negotiation this difficult by conceding so many crucial points to Russia.
As I understand it, before negotiations have even begun, NATO membership for Ukraine has been taken off the table and the loss of 20% of its territory has in effect been conceded. Correct me if I am wrong.
I have read also (though it may not be true) that “American officials are suggesting a different sort of peacekeeping force, including non-European countries such as Brazil or China, that would sit along an eventual ceasefire line as a sort of buffer.” China? Seriously?
On Wednesday, President Trump accused Ukraine of having “started it,” meaning the war.
He also cast doubt on the legitimacy of President Zelensky’s government.
It is not “moralistic garbage” but a hard and realistic lesson of history that wars are easy to start and hard to end.
As for “historical illiteracy,” here are some facts.
It took 1 year, 10 months, 25 days for Woodrow Wilson to negotiate an end to World War I (it helped that the Allies won);
2 years, 18 days to negotiate an end to the Korean War;
3 years, 5 months, 24 days to negotiate an end to the Vietnam War;
And 5 years, 5 months, 1 day to negotiate peace between Israel and Egypt.
I earnestly hope that the Trump administration can negotiate an end to this war. But if we end up with a peace that dooms Ukraine first to partition and then to some future invasion, it will be a sorry outcome.
To repeat, I agreed with most of your criticisms of Europe at Munich. I would add that the Europeans have talked for “strategic autonomy” for too long without making a serious attempt to achieve it.
But you and President Trump campaigned last year with a slogan that dates back even further than George H.W. Bush’s words that I quoted. That phrase was “peace through strength.”
I wish you luck.
Question: why would @bphillipsonMP refuse to congratulate the best state school in England?
Answer: because it stands for strong discipline, a knowledge-rich curriculum and teacher-led instruction - and therefore confounds her dogma.
Sad, but revealing.
Sandy signs off
Goalkeepeer Sandy Wood departs Balmoor with our thanks and appreciation for the role he has played at Peterhead FC. One of the most popular characters in the dressing room with staff and players, Sandy has always been hugely supportive of everyone within the club. With a wealth of knowledge and experience on and off the pitch, he will be a miss to all and welcome back any time at Balmoor 🔵⚪️💙
Squad update to follow in the next couple of weeks!