Audio problems aside, the China - Taiwan discussion was the most sober, nuanced and knowledgeable one I've heard out there. Fraser Nelson's blog on the problems at No. 10 was the same.
@@corrocot1 You are entirely wrong. China is an autocracy with terrible human rights, no rule of law, bullying attitude towards it’s neighbours. Taiwan is a separate and very very different country, democratic, believes in the rule of law, believes in human rights, and should be supported by any right thinking person. Thank you.
I'm looking forward to this session. I don't know where else one would have such an excellent line up of contributors:-) Just finished listening. Excellent!! Oh the joy of listening to informed opinions shared in a civilised setting.
It's very good but it's not necessarily the best and it certainly is not the only one! Abby Martin said "never rely on one source". In that respect, the internet is our friend.
Question,the Irish government are intending to check movements of solid fuels between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland does this constitute a hard border?
There are plenty of controls over the Irish Land Border, Alcohol, Cigerettes, VAT, Income Tax, Sales of Vehicles, Fuel, Corporation Tax, medicines. One more is no big deal.
I issue, is not controls as such, the issue is the divergence of controls. There have allways been controls but they were the same, now with divergence of controls, the problems arise.
She made it clear that she welcomes civilized dialogue. This protest was not that. The problem those radicals have is what they don't have: a logical argument based on evidence.
I don’t think anyone has a problem with politicians having 2nd jobs it’s when they are claiming expenses to line their pockets when they own property in London it’s greed and sets poor moral values
No problem at all as long as we stop paying taxpayers cash in salary and expenses and audit them for tax purposes. It'd save us a shed load on the public purse
Whatever their intention, the radical LSE students have given us ordinary citizens a chance to see what a nice, reasonable lady the Israeli Ambassador is and what shrill, intolerant people they are.
Emma Ashford needs to get real. There WILL be a problem with China over Taiwan and their needs to be a concerted approach/plan to deal with that problem.
American government needs to stay out of Asia. They didn't want Russians helping Cuba right off their shore yet the US government constantly meddles around the world, including in Asia.
@@jamessmith1652 Not at all. China's neighbours are America's ALLIES and want the US military there. As for Russia, ask former Soviet countries (Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, etc) what they think of Russia.
@@paulwally9007 America's allies how? Free from pressure, coercion, subsidy, blackmail, threats? Come on, you know those are not equal alliances and never have been. American government has been meddling in Asian country's affairs for decades, imperialists since the 15th century! None of these allies has been free from these influences in half a millennium. By the way, there is not a single country in the world that wants the US (or any other country's) military there, they all prefer something better. Nobody wants these hundreds of overseas bases, they only serve the US government's military industrial complex and line the pockets of the rich and powerful.
The Israeli ambassador complains that she is the only ambassador who faces protests and then goes on to celebrate the bilateral relationship between the UK and Israel. That's the reason Israel is singled out - not because of antisemitism. If the UK sent military aid to Iran or China then you might see protests against their ambassador. For the same reason there have been steady protests against the UK relationship with Saudi Arabia and its bombing in Yemen. She is a religious bigot who is vocally pro-settler (even though that goes against the UK preference of a two state solution) and she was selected by the Netanyahu regime in a deliberately provocative and obnoxious act of "diplomacy".
When local councillors are earning more than the Prime Minister, something is seriously wrong. Downgrade wages for councillors and upgrade wages for MP's so that you attract public minded doctors, businessmen, lawyers etc. Nursing was to some extent ruined when it was made a career rather than a vocation. There will be no shortage of candidates for MPs if they earn well and feel they are serving their country. A house of parliament full of lawyers is NOT desirable. Absolutely not.
@@benwilson6145 Councillors only have to run services in one relatively small area, not a whole country and their day to day performance is not minutely examined by the media. You think someone running recycling services for a town of, say, 60K people is even vaguely comparable to someone doing the same thing for 60 million?
@@benwilson6145 I agree that BJ is rubbish but there is no way councillors should be out-earning the Prime Minister. That's like having the bottom of the bill get paid more than the headline act.
The radicals shouldn’t be in charge of the discourse? This ambassador doesn’t believe Jewish and Palestinian people should be allowed to marry each other. She’s completely radical!
I can see how she would say that as part of her practice as an Orthodox Jew, since in Judaism, Jews are only permitted to marry other Jews. Which doesn't mean the state should interfere and stop people from making their own choices.
He who pays the the piper calls the tune. Twas forever thus. People, quite simply, don't give money to political parties out of the goodness of their hearts. State funding of ALL political parties needs to be looked into in some form or another.
Yep TSMC needs to be on neutral ground, I was disappointed that it was not mentioned. There new fabs being made in the US must be part of the deal for defence.
These MPs only work because they make more money. Why not introduce term limits and pay more? Moreover, how many hours are these MPs working to have 2 jobs? The media elite are amusing as well in this debate. It is like 1 big echo chamber at the trough
You can demand MPs don't have second jobs but you'll just get people who did politics at uni and are only worth £80k (so not even the good ones who did politics at uni). There should be careful patrolling for corruption but they should be allowed to work outside the House.
@Chase Williams Being an MP should be seen as a vocation. It’s very simple. If you’re not willing to live on what is a very reasonable salary and put your entire focus on good governance and supporting your constituents then you shouldn’t be in parliament. It is a privilege to be a member of parliament. It should not be a stepping stone to titles or wealth. If constituency parties choose inexperienced politics graduates, versus rounded experienced people, to stand, and they get elected, then we will get the government we deserve. There is simply no argument other than maintaining professional qualifications, which could easily be regulated, for having second or third jobs as an MP. Perhaps if we had only full time MPs this country wouldn’t be in the mess it is in right now.
Disappointing. Elbridge Colby was barely challenged at all. He was basically facilitated, just like his guest column in the magazine. At least you offered an "alternative" view, albeit from a DC think tank! Try inviting Daniel Dumbrill. I can guarantee it will generate a lot of social media engagement for you.
What is objectionable is undue influence, conflict of interest, lobbying for money. Anyone who doesn't immediately understand this is utterly tone deaf to what normal people think.
All these years and I misguidedly imagined that being an Member of Parliament was a full-time job. Of course I'd love to significantly boost my salary by having two full time jobs, but unfortunately I can't split myself in two and nevermind that there wouldn't be enough time in the week to do so.
No matter how good of a LEADERS YOU are! That's only acheved BY HAVEING a good trustworthy TEAM behind YOU! A TEAM leader is menny things but its important TO mack your TEAM FEAL needed evrey single one?.
BJ a great mayor? The proposed Garden Bridge that practically nobody else wanted: £50 million spent, and nothing to show for it. It would be interesting to know exactly where this money went. Where ought it to have gone? On renovating Hammersmith Bridge.
Much as I cannot stand Hotovely (believe me, I don't like her one bit), I also cannot stand this truly vile phenomenon of many student parties in different parts of the world (mainly Canada, america, England and Scotland) attempting to intimidate (often successfully) those offering alternative viewpoints from their own. Who was it who said "I may not like your politics but I'll stand in front of a train to enable you to talk about your politics" - I'm pretty sure that's not an exact quote.
@Chase Williams which is the problem across all parties nowadays. The growing rift between parliament and the people will effect turnout for elections, which should be of concern for democracy. I'm thinking.
@@Bobmudu35UK Israeli crimes against humanity are supported by our government and all of the media - that is the difference. Show me another murderous regime that is treated the same in the UK.
@@jeeperscrikey8269 What crimes? Israel is a multicultural democratic nation protecting itself from a terrorist state who are in my opinion squatting on Jewish land and taking every opportunity to promote antisemitism and hatred, both from within Israel and without.
@@jeeperscrikey8269 yet these protesters absent from China, Saudi, Iranian, or ANY other regime by your definitions embassy. But you ARE CORRECT! Only nations friendly to the UK are targeted by these simps. I wonder why that is???
I watched the piece on the NIP and the interview with Sir Ivan Rogers. All he ever has to say, is the same old negative stuff about BREXIT / EU negotiating tribulations that he always censures the UK with. After every Remoaner sentence, I ended up thinking, well he would say that, wouldn't he. Yawnsville...........
I was expecting exactly what you describe, but that's not what I heard. I would say (rather to my surprise) that on this occasion, his contribution was entirely useful.
Red Ken brought in bendy buses, it was Boris who got shot of them. Or are you trying to say the bendy buses were a good thing and Boris should've kept them?
I only know about the routes I travelled on, but the 29 that I caught in the West End up to Camden, was a madly popular route, the bendy bus full at all times of the day, very successful type of bus, for that type of route.
@Chase Williams Once the press get an idea in their head, covid is the black death, Megan is nasty, that idea is taken to its extreme. No idea whether the bendy buses were any more likely to have accidents than other buses. The 29 zoomed about, packed to the gunnels, accident-free whenever I was on it.
It's always the ECJ. There is an alternative solution which would be for the Republic of Ireland to leave the EU.... That would solve a lot of problems.
People voted out. No mention of with a deal. If it was simply out then a series of deals would be in place by now. Political meddling on all sides.😒 has caused this mess.
A talk about the lack of importance of Taiwan when they make a large percent of the worlds slicon for computers etc? If Taiwan was invaded there will be a massive world wide shortage of slicon that may last for years, if the Fab's go back online will we ever be able to trust the slicon? I cant tell if Emma is just being misleading or has no idea what's going on. The west was not dependent on Taiwan we'd not support them, it is that simple.
Lords Reform - a definite enigma, but however it would be done it should (i) have a different electoral structure to the commons, (ii) have a different electoral timeframe to the commons, (iii) be time limited - ie max no of terms. Ideally it would also have a different makeup to balance the population disparity and 'extreme' positions that may hold sway. Now I do realise that this would block things such as brexit that had popular support (perhaps formal referendums should be made mandatory for Govt's to enact?), but reform is desperately needed, each consecutive party packing political allies at the end of their careers to sway the Lords votes. This makes a mockery of the idea of a revision chamber. Personal preference: 4-600 'Lords' (id keep the title for the role - history and all), split with 1/4 representing each of the four nations (this gives disproportionate representation to the smaller nations - enabling a possible veto. While this seems to fly against democracy, this is a revision chamber, not initiating legislation) with elections for each nation's lords done by PR (to offset the winner takes all of FPTP), off set from 'General Elections' (perhaps every 7 years). Personally to offset the accumulation of power I'd prefer term limits (2 terms?). Anyways thats my thoughts....
I think Douglas is an incredibly intelligent and astute journalist and author. However, his lack of solutions to The House of Lords is surprising, How about it consisting of about 100 people of unique knowledge and experience, like one former Met police commissioner, one former chair of the General Medical Council, one former chair of the TUC, one former chair of the nurses union, one former chair of the teachers union, one former chief officer of the armed forces etc etc, all on ONE fixed five year term when they then are replaced by their successor. Then add to this 300 ordinary people, selected from around the country similar to jury service, but randomly by computer, also on ONE 5 year term. Although you should be able to opt out. Wouldn't that be fairer, more democratic and better reflective of society than the current second chamber?
It is not antisemitic to criticize criticize Israeli apartheid policies. Western governments claims to support human rights, but not when it comes to Palestinians.
Until now, The Spectator has always been most erudite - "pushing the envelope", to coin that old meme; it is fast crawling up its own fundament, as are all previously trusted elements in our discourse. Punditry is simply not enough. Johnson and said organ both need to get a grip...but Johnson won't, and I fear that neither will our beloved. Fraser, Boris is your mirror; seven years bad luck is better than eternal damnation. It's your choice. Wake up and get real.
The French are sticking to Thers over the immigrants coming over the channel ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂HOW MUCH OR we British people's paying THE frech?. Steptoe and son had a better set-up than No10 Dowening street? Get THEM OUT GET THEM OUT GET THEM OUT GET THEM OUT GET THEM OUT GET THEM OUT GET THEM OUT GET THEM OUT GET THEM GONE!.
Just amazed at the anti Boris thing from the Speccy all the way from Andrew all the way down the food chain. He Spectator is now worse than the Mirror and Guardian when it comes to this government. You do not speak for the electorate and will be made to look stupid I am no Boris fan and upset about illegal migrants lack of deportations, his green blob and his lack of balls in ghe culture wars but he is still a mile ahead of anyone. Why you drag up Barwell the most useless MP ever and anti Brexit politician I will never know but another own goal from the speccy
Does that criticism go as far as driving a fleet of vehicles through areas of London with large Jewish communities screaming for their men to be killed and their wives and daughters to be taken as sex slaves? The hate mob at the LSE are the same people who did just that several months ago.
Audio problems aside, the China - Taiwan discussion was the most sober, nuanced and knowledgeable one I've heard out there. Fraser Nelson's blog on the problems at No. 10 was the same.
Taiwan is a part of China, end of story.
Usa has too many balls in the air...some of them will inevitaply fall. If it goes Asia it will lose Europe.
@@corrocot1 You are entirely wrong. China is an autocracy with terrible human rights, no rule of law, bullying attitude towards it’s neighbours. Taiwan is a separate and very very different country, democratic, believes in the rule of law, believes in human rights, and should be supported by any right thinking person. Thank you.
@@MaBaKar No, you are 100% wrong. Have you never even heard of the one China policy? America has never recognized Taiwan as separate.
@@corrocot1 Who cares what anyone recognizes? Taiwan is not China. End of story. Goodnight.
Very interesting as always. Kate Andrews the best presenter since Andrew Neil.
Problems at No 10? One word, Carrie
Yes people and lightweight cabinet.
And a spineless and clueless PM
For one I am utterly disgusted by the behaviour against the Israeli ambassador, love the content , keep it up,👍
Good to see Kate on the hot seat, again!
I'm looking forward to this session. I don't know where else one would have such an excellent line up of contributors:-) Just finished listening. Excellent!! Oh the joy of listening to informed opinions shared in a civilised setting.
Fascinating as always! 🇬🇧
A marvelous fount of facts and excellent analysis. Should be on everyone’s “must read/listen” list.👍🏻✌🏻
Once again an excellent episode. Kate. Brilliant!
Tzipi Hotovely huh? "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."
Absolutely the best political analysis you will find on the internet, period. Balanced, considered, rational .... no shouting.
It's very good but it's not necessarily the best and it certainly is not the only one! Abby Martin said "never rely on one source". In that respect, the internet is our friend.
Question,the Irish government are intending to check movements of solid fuels between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland does this constitute a hard border?
Perhaps you should ask in a forum where someone actually gives a stuff. The DUP and/or TUV channels might be more relevant.
There are plenty of controls over the Irish Land Border, Alcohol, Cigerettes, VAT, Income Tax, Sales of Vehicles, Fuel, Corporation Tax, medicines. One more is no big deal.
I issue, is not controls as such, the issue is the divergence of controls. There have allways been controls but they were the same, now with divergence of controls, the problems arise.
At the moment N Ireland is in the EU trade zone, in trade there is a hard border between N Ireland and the rest of the UK.
By the by, but the GFA does NOT preclude a border on the island of Ireland. Just for clarification.
Why don't you deal with the migrant crisis, the main stream media ignore it, I expect more from the spectator
Gb news definitely doesn't ignore it.
At last - Boris Johnson's ardent supporter at the Spectator finally engages with Johnson's unsuitability for the role of PM in the 21st century.
What a terrific analysis of the week, a great way to gain a better understanding of current political issues. 👍
Thanks all so pleased to watch this always look forward to Thursday’s upload thank you for all you do proper journalists! 😀👍
Poor Tzipi Hotovely - being shouted at by angry protesters. How will she ever feel safe again?
Yes, it was a disgusting display of antisrmitism and it should be condemned.
I can't tell whether you're being sarcastic or not
She made it clear that she welcomes civilized dialogue. This protest was not that. The problem those radicals have is what they don't have: a logical argument based on evidence.
@@marielaveau8761 they are Facists
The religous right wing views of the Israeli Ambassidor are widely known and extremly confrontational.
I don’t think anyone has a problem with politicians having 2nd jobs it’s when they are claiming expenses to line their pockets when they own property in London it’s greed and sets poor moral values
No problem at all as long as we stop paying taxpayers cash in salary and expenses and audit them for tax purposes. It'd save us a shed load on the public purse
"If you keep on governing like this you will lose your reputation for competence." I wonder what reputation that was, then?
Whatever their intention, the radical LSE students have given us ordinary citizens a chance to see what a nice, reasonable lady the Israeli Ambassador is and what shrill, intolerant people they are.
Great discussions. Thank you.
Emma Ashford needs to get real. There WILL be a problem with China over Taiwan and their needs to be a concerted approach/plan to deal with that problem.
You can guarantee she’s a Biden lackey
Exactly. It's a time bomb and a policy of maintaining the status quo -i.e. de facto independence and officially one China -only delays the inevitable.
American government needs to stay out of Asia. They didn't want Russians helping Cuba right off their shore yet the US government constantly meddles around the world, including in Asia.
@@jamessmith1652 Not at all. China's neighbours are America's ALLIES and want the US military there. As for Russia, ask former Soviet countries (Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, etc) what they think of Russia.
@@paulwally9007 America's allies how? Free from pressure, coercion, subsidy, blackmail, threats? Come on, you know those are not equal alliances and never have been. American government has been meddling in Asian country's affairs for decades, imperialists since the 15th century! None of these allies has been free from these influences in half a millennium. By the way, there is not a single country in the world that wants the US (or any other country's) military there, they all prefer something better. Nobody wants these hundreds of overseas bases, they only serve the US government's military industrial complex and line the pockets of the rich and powerful.
The Israeli ambassador complains that she is the only ambassador who faces protests and then goes on to celebrate the bilateral relationship between the UK and Israel. That's the reason Israel is singled out - not because of antisemitism. If the UK sent military aid to Iran or China then you might see protests against their ambassador. For the same reason there have been steady protests against the UK relationship with Saudi Arabia and its bombing in Yemen. She is a religious bigot who is vocally pro-settler (even though that goes against the UK preference of a two state solution) and she was selected by the Netanyahu regime in a deliberately provocative and obnoxious act of "diplomacy".
When local councillors are earning more than the Prime Minister, something is seriously wrong. Downgrade wages for councillors and upgrade wages for MP's so that you attract public minded doctors, businessmen, lawyers etc. Nursing was to some extent ruined when it was made a career rather than a vocation. There will be no shortage of candidates for MPs if they earn well and feel they are serving their country. A house of parliament full of lawyers is NOT desirable. Absolutely not.
The councillors are usually competent unlike the PM.
@@benwilson6145
Councillors only have to run services in one relatively small area, not a whole country and their day to day performance is not minutely examined by the media. You think someone running recycling services for a town of, say, 60K people is even vaguely comparable to someone doing the same thing for 60 million?
@@mesolithicman164 Competent people should do a job a get payed for it. The incompetent idiots mumbling about Peppa the Pig should be sacked.
@@benwilson6145
I agree that BJ is rubbish but there is no way councillors should be out-earning the Prime Minister. That's like having the bottom of the bill get paid more than the headline act.
Why do we need political parties? Individual independent representatives are a much better option.
The radicals shouldn’t be in charge of the discourse? This ambassador doesn’t believe Jewish and Palestinian people should be allowed to marry each other. She’s completely radical!
Do you have a link to where she said that?
I can see how she would say that as part of her practice as an Orthodox Jew, since in Judaism, Jews are only permitted to marry other Jews. Which doesn't mean the state should interfere and stop people from making their own choices.
Is it called Carrie Johnson
He who pays the the piper calls the tune.
Twas forever thus.
People, quite simply, don't give money to political parties out of the goodness of their hearts.
State funding of ALL political parties needs to be looked into in some form or another.
Can the Spectator not afford to have more contributors in their studio? The sound quality is really poor and not uniform. A shame…
Ms. Andrews, you are the best! I truly enjoy the Spectator when you are the presenter.
Thankyou again for a excellent program
It's difficult to talk about Taiwan without mentioning TSMC - that's what they're really fighting over
Taiwan called TSMC (and their chip industry) the mountain that guards the nation
Yep TSMC needs to be on neutral ground, I was disappointed that it was not mentioned.
There new fabs being made in the US must be part of the deal for defence.
Sun Tzu The Art of War.
If you know your enemy as you know yourself you need not fear the result of 100 battles?
These MPs only work because they make more money. Why not introduce term limits and pay more? Moreover, how many hours are these MPs working to have 2 jobs? The media elite are amusing as well in this debate. It is like 1 big echo chamber at the trough
You can demand MPs don't have second jobs but you'll just get people who did politics at uni and are only worth £80k (so not even the good ones who did politics at uni). There should be careful patrolling for corruption but they should be allowed to work outside the House.
@Chase Williams Being an MP should be seen as a vocation. It’s very simple. If you’re not willing to live on what is a very reasonable salary and put your entire focus on good governance and supporting your constituents then you shouldn’t be in parliament. It is a privilege to be a member of parliament. It should not be a stepping stone to titles or wealth. If constituency parties choose inexperienced politics graduates, versus rounded experienced people, to stand, and they get elected, then we will get the government we deserve. There is simply no argument other than maintaining professional qualifications, which could easily be regulated, for having second or third jobs as an MP. Perhaps if we had only full time MPs this country wouldn’t be in the mess it is in right now.
Am I correct in thinking the U K in1965? Stated that we saw what is nowTaiwan as being a part of China?
Another fairly decent episode but frankly, the less seen of Barwell the better.
Disappointing. Elbridge Colby was barely challenged at all. He was basically facilitated, just like his guest column in the magazine. At least you offered an "alternative" view, albeit from a DC think tank! Try inviting Daniel Dumbrill. I can guarantee it will generate a lot of social media engagement for you.
What is objectionable is undue influence, conflict of interest, lobbying for money. Anyone who doesn't immediately understand this is utterly tone deaf to what normal people think.
A good airing at the end for Israeli Ambassador to speak of her reception by protestors at the LSE
Dugggie’s bedroom looks like a hotel room!! HAHAHA
All these years and I misguidedly imagined that being an Member of Parliament was a full-time job.
Of course I'd love to significantly boost my salary by having two full time jobs, but unfortunately I can't split myself in two and nevermind that there wouldn't be enough time in the week to do so.
No matter how good of a LEADERS YOU are! That's only acheved BY HAVEING a good trustworthy TEAM behind YOU! A TEAM leader is menny things but its important TO mack your TEAM FEAL needed evrey single one?.
surprised that Mr. Rogers hasn't mentioned that the majority in Northern Ireland are in favour of the Johnson protocol........
High quality content. Low quality production.
I think the media team is only three people big
BJ a great mayor? The proposed Garden Bridge that practically nobody else wanted: £50 million spent, and nothing to show for it. It would be interesting to know exactly where this money went. Where ought it to have gone? On renovating Hammersmith Bridge.
Johnston has been very successful at cutting low taxes! There all high taxes, highest since the end of WW2.
Sadly the eartly election is off, for the time being.
The problem with Boris is his bumbling yellow mop persona no longer washes.
And to think borris has his finger on the nuclear trigger, GOD. HELP US?
Should only be the Clown car horn
Much as I cannot stand Hotovely (believe me, I don't like her one bit), I also cannot stand this truly vile phenomenon of many student parties in different parts of the world (mainly Canada, america, England and Scotland) attempting to intimidate (often successfully) those offering alternative viewpoints from their own. Who was it who said "I may not like your politics but I'll stand in front of a train to enable you to talk about your politics" - I'm pretty sure that's not an exact quote.
It is bamboozling how suddenly border control means everything to the EU when it doesn't seem to register the existence of one with Africa or Asia.
Is being an MP not a full time job?
Its a four-year gig. The temporariness of it necessitates an MP keeps fires burning elsewhere.
Parliament needs normal job holders that are not professional politicos otherwise the gulf between the parties and people will/is broken.
@Chase Williams which is the problem across all parties nowadays.
The growing rift between parliament and the people will effect turnout for elections, which should be of concern for democracy.
I'm thinking.
Isn't it great to hear all these cowards talking about war?
Why is there such vitriol against the Israeli ambassador, I wonder?
Indeed, there are many despotic and tyrannical governments in the Middle East, committing far worse acts than Israel.
It can only be antisemitism!
@@Bobmudu35UK Israeli crimes against humanity are supported by our government and all of the media - that is the difference. Show me another murderous regime that is treated the same in the UK.
@@jeeperscrikey8269 What crimes? Israel is a multicultural democratic nation protecting itself from a terrorist state who are in my opinion squatting on Jewish land and taking every opportunity to promote antisemitism and hatred, both from within Israel and without.
@@jeeperscrikey8269 yet these protesters absent from China, Saudi, Iranian, or ANY other regime by your definitions embassy. But you ARE CORRECT! Only nations friendly to the UK are targeted by these simps. I wonder why that is???
Because she’s a borderline fascist. I know that’s how you right-wingers like your politicians and your governments, but not everyone does.
I watched the piece on the NIP and the interview with Sir Ivan Rogers. All he ever has to say, is the same old negative stuff about BREXIT / EU negotiating tribulations that he always censures the UK with. After every Remoaner sentence, I ended up thinking, well he would say that, wouldn't he. Yawnsville...........
I was expecting exactly what you describe, but that's not what I heard. I would say (rather to my surprise) that on this occasion, his contribution was entirely useful.
Frost doesn’t fold like the rest of the wimps in the FCO
Boris did have some dodgy ideas when mayor you forget water cannon bendy busses hanging on a zip wire
Nothing wrong with water cannon, just the lack of will to use it
Water cannon blasting those glued down idiots sounds hilarious and a great idea
Red Ken brought in bendy buses, it was Boris who got shot of them. Or are you trying to say the bendy buses were a good thing and Boris should've kept them?
I only know about the routes I travelled on, but the 29 that I caught in the West End up to Camden, was a madly popular route, the bendy bus full at all times of the day, very successful type of bus, for that type of route.
@Chase Williams Once the press get an idea in their head, covid is the black death, Megan is nasty, that idea is taken to its extreme. No idea whether the bendy buses were any more likely to have accidents than other buses. The 29 zoomed about, packed to the gunnels, accident-free whenever I was on it.
A bad leader can blame the people around him
It's always the ECJ.
There is an alternative solution which would be for the Republic of Ireland to leave the EU....
That would solve a lot of problems.
Ah yes. Ireland will leave the EU to make life worse the Irish and better for the Brits. I’d love to know what you’re smoking.
Well done on getting the Israel ambassador on the show. I find it hard to believe that she is against "any kind of violence" though...
Lord Frost unelected bureaucrat
People voted out. No mention of with a deal.
If it was simply out then a series of deals would be in place by now.
Political meddling on all sides.😒 has caused this mess.
Less in touch than Gordon Brown 🤔
A talk about the lack of importance of Taiwan when they make a large percent of the worlds slicon for computers etc?
If Taiwan was invaded there will be a massive world wide shortage of slicon that may last for years, if the Fab's go back online will we ever be able to trust the slicon?
I cant tell if Emma is just being misleading or has no idea what's going on. The west was not dependent on Taiwan we'd not support them, it is that simple.
Lords Reform - a definite enigma, but however it would be done it should (i) have a different electoral structure to the commons, (ii) have a different electoral timeframe to the commons, (iii) be time limited - ie max no of terms. Ideally it would also have a different makeup to balance the population disparity and 'extreme' positions that may hold sway. Now I do realise that this would block things such as brexit that had popular support (perhaps formal referendums should be made mandatory for Govt's to enact?), but reform is desperately needed, each consecutive party packing political allies at the end of their careers to sway the Lords votes. This makes a mockery of the idea of a revision chamber.
Personal preference: 4-600 'Lords' (id keep the title for the role - history and all), split with 1/4 representing each of the four nations (this gives disproportionate representation to the smaller nations - enabling a possible veto. While this seems to fly against democracy, this is a revision chamber, not initiating legislation) with elections for each nation's lords done by PR (to offset the winner takes all of FPTP), off set from 'General Elections' (perhaps every 7 years). Personally to offset the accumulation of power I'd prefer term limits (2 terms?).
Anyways thats my thoughts....
I think Douglas is an incredibly intelligent and astute journalist and author. However, his lack of solutions to The House of Lords is surprising, How about it consisting of about 100 people of unique knowledge and experience, like one former Met police commissioner, one former chair of the General Medical Council, one former chair of the TUC, one former chair of the nurses union, one former chair of the teachers union, one former chief officer of the armed forces etc etc, all on ONE fixed five year term when they then are replaced by their successor. Then add to this 300 ordinary people, selected from around the country similar to jury service, but randomly by computer, also on ONE 5 year term. Although you should be able to opt out. Wouldn't that be fairer, more democratic and better reflective of society than the current second chamber?
It is not antisemitic to criticize criticize Israeli apartheid policies. Western governments claims to support human rights, but not when it comes to Palestinians.
Until now, The Spectator has always been most erudite - "pushing the envelope", to coin that old meme; it is fast crawling up its own fundament, as are all previously trusted elements in our discourse. Punditry is simply not enough. Johnson and said organ both need to get a grip...but Johnson won't, and I fear that neither will our beloved. Fraser, Boris is your mirror; seven years bad luck is better than eternal damnation. It's your choice. Wake up and get real.
The French are sticking to Thers over the immigrants coming over the channel ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂HOW MUCH OR we British people's paying THE frech?. Steptoe and son had a better set-up than No10 Dowening street? Get THEM OUT GET THEM OUT GET THEM OUT GET THEM OUT GET THEM OUT GET THEM OUT GET THEM OUT GET THEM OUT GET THEM GONE!.
Just amazed at the anti Boris thing from the Speccy all the way from Andrew all the way down the food chain. He Spectator is now worse than the Mirror and Guardian when it comes to this government. You do not speak for the electorate and will be made to look stupid
I am no Boris fan and upset about illegal migrants lack of deportations, his green blob and his lack of balls in ghe culture wars but he is still a mile ahead of anyone. Why you drag up Barwell the most useless MP ever and anti Brexit politician I will never know but another own goal from the speccy
Criticizing the State of Israel’s policies is by no means antiseptic.
Antiseptic? you're writing rubbish.
They do far more than criticise the State of Israel .
Does that criticism go as far as driving a fleet of vehicles through areas of London with large Jewish communities screaming for their men to be killed and their wives and daughters to be taken as sex slaves?
The hate mob at the LSE are the same people who did just that several months ago.