With tensions between the West and Russia on a knife-edge, Sir Keir Starmer was a man on a mission in Washington.
He sought to persuade President Joe Biden that Ukraine should be allowed to fire long-range missiles deep inside Russia.
The PM deserves huge praise for his resolve in wanting to help president Volodymyr Zelensky take the fight to Moscow.
Permitting Kyiv to use Storm Shadow and other missiles might be a turning point in the war. President Zelensky could strike command and control centres, ammunition depots and air bases far from the frontline, blunting Russia’s ability to attack.
Sir Keir Starmer with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The PM deserves huge praise for his resolve in wanting to help president Volodymyr Zelensky take the fight to Moscow
With tensions between the West and Russia on a knife-edge, Sir Keir Starmer was a man on a mission in Washington. He sought to persuade President Joe Biden that Ukraine should be allowed to fire long-range missiles deep inside Russia
The possibility of the US and UK lifting restrictions has clearly rattled Vladimir Putin. He has expelled UK diplomats from his country and again resorted to threats, warning that the West will be ‘at war’ with Russia if it gives Ukraine the green light.
Many will be alarmed by his bloodcurdling rhetoric. But the dictator, eternally the victim in international relations, has made menacing statements in the past. Each time it has been nothing more than bluster.
The West must decide whether it really does wish to help Ukraine defeat Russia, or merely conspire in a bloody stalemate.
But Britain has gone it alone before in the extent of its support for our ally. It should not be afraid to do so again.
Logic up in smoke
The High Court ruling which quashes permission to open Britain’s first deep coal mine in 30 years is both damaging and illogical.
Whitehaven Colliery in Cumbria would have created hundreds of jobs in an area desperate for an economic boost.
However, the judge ruled that when giving it the go-ahead, the previous Tory government failed to take into account the polluting effects of burning that coal.
The green lobby is happy. But whether or not a mine can open should be a decision for elected politicians, not the courts. This is another depressing example of judicial creep.
Whitehaven Colliery in Cumbria (pictured: artists impression) would have created hundreds of jobs in an area desperate for an economic boost. The judge ruled that when giving it the go-ahead, the previous Tory government failed to take into account the polluting effects of burning that coal
Crucially, the coal wouldn’t have been for domestic heating or electricity generation. It was coking coal exclusively for the steel industry. Much as we might wish otherwise, it’s not yet possible to produce new steel commercially by cleaner methods.
So it’s surely better to use British coal than import it from halfway across the world in gas-guzzling freighters, which would increase emissions far more. In what addled brain does that make sense?
As such, the High Court’s decision is devastating – for the economy, for industrial security and for the environment.
Ill will of unions
It’s all so predictable. Having sprayed public money at other NHS staff in a bid to end strikes, the Government is now faced with GPs demanding similar largesse.
The Left-wing British Medical Association says unless ministers give family doctors (average earnings: £140,000 a year) more generous funding, they’ll down tools – inevitably causing harm to patients.
It’s all so predictable. Having sprayed public money at other NHS staff in a bid to end strikes, the Government is now faced with GPs demanding similar largesse. British Medical Association says they want more generous funding or they’ll down tools
Sir Keir has vowed to ‘take on’ the health unions. Will he live up to his tough talk – or, as usual, spinelessly capitulate to the barons?
Environment Secretary Ed Miliband says it is ‘deeply disappointing’ that Petroineos is closing Grangemouth, Scotland’s last oil refinery, with the loss of 400 jobs.
But when he himself is introducing policies designed to destroy the North Sea oil industry in his reckless pursuit of Net Zero, what did he expect?
He is either a hypocrite and a fool or he is crying crocodile tears.
Please could he tell us which one?