Fascinating discussion but it made me think the main issue is not the money, it’s sorting out defence priorities (we can’t do everything) & procurement. We also need to be clearer on what exactly is the threat from Russia, economically weakened & mired in a long war it seems unable to win.
Shaun Spiers
"Mandelson files reveal Labour party is riddled with doubts and infighting."
Has there ever been a government in British history not "riddled with doubts and infighting"?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
🚨🚨I was lucky enough to pin down the brilliant Frank Ledwidge to talk about the resignation of John Healy and the mess that our armed forces are in. @frankledwidge.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
Documents were published to reveal what ministers knew about his links to Epstein, but instead exposed government rifts
If this Sunday Times story is true, it's very bad news for the UK's credibility as a climate leader, for consumers & for the long term future of the UK car industry. The world is going electric & the UK needs to ensure it's not left behind.
Podcast Episode · Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell · 11 June · 42min
The World at One asks what can be done about Elon Musk stirring up division. How about getting off X, which has become a platform for promoting fascism in the UK and beyond. The same should apply to the BBC and other institutions. #WATO
RIP Roy Hattersley. His memoirs are the funniest, least pompous & shortest I have read by a politician. And “Choose Freedom: the future for democratic socialism” is also well worth reading, though it’s probably too dangerously left-wing for these times.
I don’t think Labour having debates it should have had years ago amounts to the party ripping itself apart. As for Tony Blair, he’s hardly Labour these days. That doesn’t mean he or his funders should be ignored, they have a legitimate point of view. But he’s a bit grand for mere party politics.
Shaun Spiers
I’m sorry the government is losing John Healey, but I don’t understand why the government made a fetish of a single figure for military spending rather than aiming for, say, better defence & better defence spending)ie less waste).
One of the many depressing things about Tony Blair's recent essay was his evidence-free attack on the government's climate policies. It's good to read Keir Starmer's response.
"Investing in clean British energy strengthens our agency..."
keirstarmer.substack.com/p/tony-blair...
Anna Foster on #r4today says the defence sector is calling for more investment in defence. There’s a surprise.
Great news, well done @laurenedwardsmp.bsky.social!
