Tim Dowse

Between this, the new tariffs, Ms Maxwell's prison conditions and firing the Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner, I've lost track of what is supposed to be a distraction from what.

Well, this is depressing. Are US employment statistics going to become as dubious as those of China?

At least they are not yet being labeled a state secret, like Russian demographic figures.

Has any governnent stopped using X for its messaging? So long as it reaches a large global audience, I doubt many will do so: tweets are less labour-intensive than TikTok or Instagram posts.

Doesn't explain the apparent reluctance to use Bluesky, which can't involve any significant extra resource.

A demographic breakdown would be helpful. Strongly suspect that those choosing the 1997 election over the 1979 one are too young (or maybe too old) to remember the 1980s. Though I'd vote for neither of the two.

The options are far too limited anyway.

It would be interesting to know if this represents an increase in the number of people posting this stuff on X, or an increase in activity by the previous user base.

If Lord Milford Haven, Major Sir Francis Fetherston-Godley and Sir Evelyn de la Rue are not characters from PG Wodehouse, they should be.

The sort of story that could be hard to explain to those brought up in the age of mobile internet. (But Gen Z probably aren't much interested in Maxwell anyway).

Yes. Also, protracted procurement processes make it questionable whether sone of the more eye-catching budget allocations (eg Germany's) can actually be spent in the envisaged timeframes.

Feels to me like a genuine attempt to square a very awkward political and diplomatic circle - but by trying to offer something to all* sides it will probably end up pleasing no-one.

*Other than supporters of Hamas, Ben-Gvir/Smotrich etc.

Yes indeed.

Strong implication that HMG hopes Israel will do enough fir ut not to have to recognise. But the likelihood is that this simply kicks the can (of diplomatic and legal worms) down the road.

But if/when it comes to recognition, what is the answer to the question: within what borders?

Clever use of the recognition card as leverage, avoiding (for now) the impression of gesture diplomacy which makes us all feel better but doesn't bring a resolution closer.

But if the card has to be played, the question will arise again: recognition within what borders?

Exactly. For those who care about Israel's future security, it's worth noting that the Allies behaviour in victory did not breed a new generation of young Germans bent on revenge.

Yes. In 2015 I heard a German pastor give the Remembrance Day sermon at the Anglican church in Copenhagen. She spoke very movingly of how, as a child in 1948, she had watched RAF and USAF planes delivering food to Berlin, only three years after WW2 ended.

In the UK some food was still rationed.

Within what borders?

Still, tricky for China which has been steadily thickening up its relations with Thailand. Expect calls for restraint by both sides.

I see Cambodia has chosen to appeal to the UN Security Council rather than seek ASEAN mediation. Perhaps because that gives their sponsor China a locus?

This has been brewing for weeks. So far, a surprising passivity from ASEAN in the face of a dispute between two of its members.

I had to delete and then reload the app recently. That fixed a glitch where it refused to go back to the start of a programme.

Not exactly proposing: “Many experts will consider this too risky”.

I recall reading a copy of this letter! (At the time I was responsible in the Cabinet Office for overseeing all-source assessments of Russia and the FSU.)

Thanks, understood: but not because the voters think Reform will fix it, just as a general expression of discontent.

My question was prompted by the comment that local closures are a "predictor" of support for Reform.

So a generalised protest, which wouldn't necessarily translate into votes at an election.

How do people think Reform would prevent the closure of local shops and bank branches?

8/10 - best ever result! Need to brush up on my knowledge of rap and Irish history.

While stuck in a massive traffic jam to get into Brands Hatch for the 1974 British Grand Prix, my schoolfriends and I noticed that the car queuing alongside us was being driven by Nicholas Parsons. (I don't remember what he said, but I recall it was a rather smart Escort estate with Rostyle wheels).

Excellent thread. The cartoons are quite extraordinary: it's nice to be reminded that at least in some ways we have made social progress in the past century.

"This is a historic day for German-British relations" – Chancellor Merz

Germany and the UK have signed a landmark friendship treaty at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

@germany.diplo.de | @aussenminister.diplo.de

Not surprised by this at all. There might be room for debate over how long the super-injunction was maintained, but the reason it was obtained by the last government and retained by the present one is entirely understandable. Lives were at risk.

Also unwise to make it a party political issue.

Fair point: he inclined towards the mistaken “Stalin v hardline faction” explanation for Soviet misbehaviour. But he was under no illusions more widely:

“Wherever these Bolsheviks think you are afraid of them, they will do whatever suits their lust and cruelty” [to Eden, 2/6/45].

Plus ca change.