I increasingly wonder historians will look back on the Chagos debacle as as totemic as Suez.
In raw geopolitical terms it might not be as significant. But in terms of what it illustrates about the current guiding philosophy behind UK foreign policy, and in the humiliation it continues to cause us on the world stage, it feels to me a disaster of equal proportions.
The government are somehow managing to:
- imperil a vitally important national security asset;
- anger our closest ally;
- undermine the self-determination rights of the Chagossians;
- risk causing environmental damage to a precious marine reserve; and
- have British taxpayers pay billions for the privilege.
All at the same time. Quite impressive really.
@TimesRadio The police in the past were often prejudiced, but they were meant to follow laws that were not. Now, the actual guidance they are given is asking them to be racist, to treat some groups differently to others.
@TimesRadio I voted for PR in Welsh devolution. But have grown to hate it. Party lists of political placepeople, deals done between parties behind the scenes and in the latest results Reform surged, so, Labour, Lib Dem, Greens moved to Plaid, so, it felt just like FPTP.
@TimesRadio He is not a 'royal historian' he is a gossip writer who relies on the way the royals don't sue to say all sorts of things that are not being said about the other VIP men involved with Epstein.
@valleysqueenx It doesn't. People in England who have that view are expressing their belief that a union UK would be better governed as one union with one shared parliament only. I voted for devolution but that view of theirs is perfectly logical.
@DemetaeCymru Fine as long as they make that clear before people vote for them. But once they have done it, that can't complain about anything Westminster passes as a law if they didn't bother to debate and vote on it in Westminster.
@benphillips76 I think on the whole political parties shouldn't try to claim the nation's anthem as theirs in big political, as opposed to ceremonial, moments.
@PaulBrandITV London should call a referendum today in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Call all their bluffs. And once they decide say no more for 25 years.
@TimesRadio Reform are the story of this election. They won in England. They created the Plaid win in Wales, it was an anti-reform vote, and they came clear second. And they even came joint second in Scotland, imagine saying that 5 years ago!
@TimesRadio The Welsh constituency results are historic. Reform have gained more than any other party, from a low base, and have more seats than Labour, Tory, Lib Dem and Greens combined. Who could have predicted that?
@TimesRadio If a far right person stabbed two immigrants this week and then a right wing march was to be held today in London, everyone would demand it was banned. But when it is a left wing march......