Dave Sumner Smith

In a remarkable U-turn, Trump now wants the Epstein Files to be released in full.
Why do you think that has happened?

Ten EU countries currently have compulsory military service for men (Austria, Cyprus, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark & Sweden - the last 2 also have compulsory service for women).

With war clouds gathering, should the UK & others follow suit?

Leaked documents reported by WhichUK reveal Meta reckons 10% of its earnings in 2024 came from fraudulent ads for scams & banned ads.

It seems the owner of Facebook, Instagram, Threads & WhatsApp made $16 billion through its role in criminal activity.

Are you surprised?

Wouldn't it be great if the BBC was to find & release a fully unredacted copy of the Epstein Files for their next documentary - together with the film recordings of guests & victims?

The far right seeks to destroy two British institutions:

● The @NHS for personal financial gain through further privatisation.
● The @BBC to give even more control to right-wing media corporations.

Both have their faults, but they should be defended with all our strength.

Do you agree?

Ironic, isn't it?
The integrity of the BBC is called into question by an inveterate liar & convicted felon who doesn't merely twist the facts, but has built his political career on an incessant string of lies...

When will things start getting better again?

The BBC was once the best & most balanced broadcaster in the world.

Then, the Conservatives installed their people in its senior management.

Now the extreme right wing want to take it down completely.

Can we turn the clock back?

Is the BBC facing a coordinated, politically motivated attack?

Are things REALLY bad in the UK?

Or is it just a popular narrative cultivated by right-wing media owners, influencers & politicians?

The move to EVs has created another tax black hole.

Fuel duty revenues will fall by £9 billion a year by the end of this parliament.

So, is it fair that EV owners should have to pay a 3p tax for every mile they drive?

Aren't you glad to have a Chancellor taking longer-term perspectives rather than looking for quick, political fixes?

Is Rachel Reeves a frank, straightforward Chancellor who is taking a longer term perspective & will "do the right thing" to address the UK's economic problems inherited from the Conservatives?

Brilliant - as always!

Are you banging on about illegal immigrants?
If you voted for Brexit, you got what you wanted.
Get over it.
And, yes, we told you so.

Strange how the Brexiters have changed their tune, isn't it?

Are things about to get even worse?
The governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, warns that recent events in US private credit markets have worrying echoes of the sub-prime mortgage crisis that kicked off the global financial crash of 2008...

The top UN court rules today on whether Israel has been blocking humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described this case as "part of a systematic persecution & delegitimisation of Israel".

Is he right?

'Populist' politicians are more accurately described as 'exploitative'.

Why? They whip up anger & feed simple solutions to naive, ill-informed voters.

The solutions (eg Brexit) don't work, but the leaders win power - and that's all they want!

It's great that hostages are coming home, but while eyes are on Gaza, Smotrich is pushing to annex 82% of the West Bank & revive the E1 plan, thereby cutting it in half.

This is what keeps the conflict alive. If the world ignores the West Bank settlers, this “peace” won’t last.

Let's all be glad for the Gaza ceasefire & congratulate the US for (finally) threatening economic pressure on Israel to stop the genocide.

Let's hope for
● Rapid aid deliveries
● Rebuilding of Gaza
● Two state solution
● Settlers are expelled from West Bank
● All the war criminals face justice

The UK government banned Palestine Action as a proscribed terrorist organisation from 5 July 2025, following the security breach at RAF Brize Norton & vandalism of a plane.

Wasn't that rather excessive?

The Conservatives
● Undertook the disastrous Referendum to settle an internal dispute
● Agreed a disastrous Brexit deal that increased immigration
● Demolished the NHS & social care systems
● Wrecked the UK economy
● Had many hopeless leaders

How can they hope to ever form a future government?

Russia is engaged in a hybrid war with many European nations.
One of its tactics is to cultivate social & political unrest.
Russia is funding Reform & Nigel Farage in its war on the UK.
The ultimate irony? Reform supporters believe they're 'patriots'!

It's not just the Labour Party that's in "the fight of it life" against Reform, is it?

It's the entire country.

Is it important for a national leader to be 'charismatic' and 'inspirational'?

I don't play golf & have little interest in it. But the 2025 RyderCup is great to watch.
It's a shame about all those drunken, boorish American louts masquerading as sports fans, though, isn't it?

Every other country in Europe uses ID cards, (apart from Ireland & Denmark) without significant difficulties.

So what's the problem with introducing them in the UK?

According to Wikipedia, "Some psychiatrists and reporters have speculated that Trump may have mental health impairments, such as dementia (which runs in his family) or narcissistic personality disorder".

Do you think they're right?