British Politics
Been on holiday for a few weeks, surprised to find no general discussion of British politics so though I'd kick one off.
Tory leadership contest is quickly turning into farce. Trump has backed Boris, which should be reason enough for anyone with half a brain to exclude him.
Of the other candidates Rory Stewart looks the best of the outsiders. Surprised to see Cleverly and Javid not further up the betting, but not sure the Tory membership are ready for a brown PM.
https://www.oddschecker.com/politics/bri...
Regarding the LD leadership contest, Jo Swinson is miles ahead of any other candidate (and indeed any of the Tory lot). Should be a shoe in.
Finally, it's Groundhog Day in Labour - the more serious the anti-Semitism claims get, the more Corbyn's cronies write their own obituary by blaming it on outlandish conspiracy theories - this week, it's apparently the Jewish Embassy's fault...
I don't think it's stupid given USA have been there for so long. But Trump has changed the game, and its time to adjust. I think Europe, or I at least hope Europe, can see that.
I dont really fathom that way of thinking. The risks were obvious.
The risks of dependency would have been real even if the usa was fairly reliable. But they have had bush and then trump before among much else. This risk warnings have been flashing red for decades.
There are no precious metals to sign away, it was all a lie to allow Trump to save face and claim he recouped money for americans
It's not precious metals, it's 'critical minerals' and 'rare earth elements' essential to industry, particularly new tech. Ukraine is believed to be sitting on, among other things, one of Europe's largest deposits of lithium, in high demand for batteries. It already accounts for about 7% of the world's titanium output, important for the aerospace sector. Long ago the 'wooden' de Havilland Mosquito of WW2 had small titanium panels behind its exhausts to take the heat. In the 1960s the US had to use Soviet titanium, bought through frontmen in Switzerland, to build the triple-sonic Blackbird spy plane. The USSR included Ukraine at the time.
It's not precious metals, it's 'critical minerals' and 'rare earth elements' essential to industry, particularly new tech. Ukraine is believed to be sitting on, among other things, one of Europe's largest deposits of lithium, in high demand for batteries. It already accounts for about 7% of the world's titanium output, important for the aerospace sector. Long ago the 'wooden' de Havilland Mosquito of WW2 had small titanium panels behind its exhausts to take the heat. In the 1960s the US had to u
yes i am aware it's about "rare Earths".
but those aren't actually rare. it's just about the heavy environmental toll for their extraction. it's, as usual, about the green psychotic approach to reality that makes abundant stuff scarce.
and Ukraine doesn't have many. at some point a grotesque "7 trillions" in value for minerals circulated, I think because it actually played well both for pro Ukraine and pro Russia narratives (purportedly those minerals are mostly in the donbass or nearby).
lithium as well is extremely abundant and lost more than 80% of it's value in a few years recently in international markets, when markets realized how abundant it is.
what I am saying is that Trump used that narrative to invent an excuse to cover for zelensky with MAGA. the (completely absurd) idea that america was going to recoup it's "investment" in Ukraine.
a blatant bullshit lie but enough for Trump to be able to claim to his base that he was winning. a smart lie for us if zelensky hadn't ****ed up
Yeah, it's a starting framework. Still better than 'sign away your precious metals, then maybe we can talk peace between you, who we don't like, and Putin, who's our buddy.'
Exactly this. Asking for Russia to agree a ceasefire is a smart move and obvious trap for Trump. The MAGA narrative is all about "finding out of Russia are serious about peace", which fails the sniff test if they won't stop murdering innocent civilians.
I've been advocating for reducing links/dependency on the US for a very long time. Now it's up to Europe (not only the EU) to step up and assume responsibility for its future.
This is true. Unfortunately, right now Europe needs to prepare for war.
If we do, we might avoid it. If we don't, we will end up in it.
This is true. Unfortunately, right now Europe needs to prepare for war.
If we do, we might avoid it. If we don't, we will end up in it.
I am not sure which scenario you envision of war even without further preparation, with France and UK nuclear weapons existing, that can touch NATO members within our borders.
Basically you think Russia will attack because you thinks both France and the UK aren't willing to use nuclear weapons for NATO allies? while we would be willing to send hundreds of thousands of troops if we had them?
I am not sure which scenario you envision of war even without further preparation, with France and UK nuclear weapons existing, that can touch NATO members within our borders.
Basically you think Russia will attack because you thinks both France and the UK aren't willing to use nuclear weapons for NATO allies? while we would be willing to send hundreds of thousands of troops if we had them?
You have an extremely limited understanding of what war could look like and how it would develop.
Given your tendency to double down, and also considering how your recent infatuation with Trumpism reeks of parroting social media talking points, there is no merit to discussing this with you.
reform civil war
rupert lowe had a pop at farage yesterday, said he wasnt sure if he (lowe) would still be in reform come election time. seems to be mad that farage calls all the shots
today he (lowe) is referred to the police by reform over some workplace bullying allegations
flat denial by lowe
I'd guess that 90%+ of Reform MPs and councillors have something related to harassment/bullying/discrimination in their recent past, and its members probably aren't a lot better.
Don't know if that includes you, BOIDS.
you sound unhappy
You should be so lucky. Reform tearing itself apart is very funny in an inevitable way, but carries the risk of helping the Tories.
no i mean in general
Anyone happy with the state and direction of travel of the world is either a total **** or in cloud cuckoo land.
It is quite funny, though. Reform is a disruptive element, capable of making other parties dance to its tune out of fear, so any exposure of its wonky oddball nature is welcome. The US is now in the grip of disruptive politics and we could frankly do without that.
Meanwhile in Liverpool:-
As Neil Kinnock put it, 'A Labour council, A LABOUR COUNCIL...'
it is nostalgic to see hatton in the news again.
As I wrote somewhere else today, Hatton was always a wrong 'un, obvious from the cut of his suits (and his jib).
