Trump Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.... I would like to acknowledge the vital role of the United Kingdom in assisting and coordinating efforts that have led us to this historic day in Israel. In particular, I want to recognize the incredible input and tireless efforts of National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell.
The Chinese government also want to thank Jonathan Powell for the incredible input and tireless efforts on their behalf.
You can't seriously think there's anything in this 'spy scandal' ****, surely? I'd trust the Chinese more than I would Trump's US anyway. Choose your authoritarian. Pure fascism in the USA right now.
Afraid I do. The two accused dickheads of course would only be supplying low level crap that was virtually publicly available. Jonathan Powell is a creature of Tony Blair, who loves to rub himself up against powerful dictators, the Chinese included. These venal Kissinger disciples would protect power at the cost of morality every day of the year. They think they are clever and playing a long term geopolitical game ‘in our interests’ but they have sacrificed all vestiges of integrity in the process. Starmer appears to be as thick as pig **** and blindly following the last voice he heard. If you really think the US is as authoritarian as China I suggest you visit China and try to protest against Xi, like the No King protests yesterday. US is definitely going in the wrong direction but it’s not a fraction of what China has always been.
Of course the US isn't as authoritarian as China right now, but I'd say 'going in the wrong direction' is a significant understatement as to what's actually happening there. Regarding the 'spy scandal', I was at a wedding yesterday and was talking to my nephew's wife, who's a DCS in the counter-terrorism unit of the Met Police. She's currently working on something connected to the China spy case, but was sadly not allowed to give me any info. I ventured that I thought the spy thing was a lot of fuss about nothing and all she could do was give me an inscrutable knowing smile. Frustrating, but I got her to promise to give me the inside story once it's all finished.
China has spent much of the 21st century spreading it's tentacles around the globe, particularly in Africa and South America, with massive investment in many poorer countries in areas such as infrastructure, tech & communications and mining of key minerals. They have given massive lines of credit enabling them to gain influence and often political alignment. Looking at what is happening here it would seem Labour are desperate to woo them but at what price? The Tories took a step back from some of our agreements with them after also having been happy to give them a free rein so we're in a difficult place at present but you get the feeling Starmer can't afford to upset them now...
**** me I’m tired of hearing about that nonce ‘Prince’ Andrew. I hope someone smashes his face in. More effective than dicking around with his nonsensical titles. Phillipson saying that the government will be ‘guided’ by the royal family. Great principle - let families deal with their own criminal members, bound to be appropriate. **** democracy. **** justice.
Bloody Turks taking the chocolate out of our chocolate biscuit's How dare they Enjoy your chocolate flavoured chocolate
I was going to say that cocoa prices went up a silly amount a couple of years ago and never really went back down but they’ve actually dropped a lot since I last had to worry about them. So the choc manufacturers will say it’s a necessary move- which it kind of is- but obviously won’t be improving the chocolate if cocoa stays relatively low. I’ve tried the fake chocolate that’s been worked on for a while and subtly used in certain products as a trial for a year or so probably by now. It’ll get better. But still a shame.
Need to get to the pommie shop and get me some club biscuits before they become palm oil flavoured chocolate tasting
While Starmer may not be the most appealing of guys, I think you have made an inaccuarate assessment as Trump has the intelligence of a centipede. The only way he asserts himself is by shouting, taking over someone and sneering. Macron and Starmer have far more intelligence than Trump and just let Donny Boy have his moment!
Sadly intelligence doesn't always equate to leadership. For all his faults, and they are endless, it took someone to bulldoze those parties into an agreement and Trump had the clout to pull it off. The ceasefire is fragile and I doubt it will last, Hamas by their nature are totally untrustworthy and you only have to see what's happened in the first few days to see where it's heading. As for Starmer & Macron you only have to look at the mess they've made of running their own countries to see how inept they are...
To be fair to Starmer, who has been weak on some issues, he inherited an absolute binfire. With Reform chipping away on one end of the spectrum and the random alliance of nutters at the other in a social media age where everyone has to have a loud and polarised opinion on everything I don’t think anyone could have done much in terms of making the country less divided. Throw in the Palestine cult and it’s a pretty impossible job even if he’s looking more Graham Taylor than Bobby Robson.
Not sure how to provide a link to another thread, but as I was logging in just now my eye was caught by a thread on the Charlton board entitled 'Modern London in One Pic'. Intrigued, I clicked on it. Jesus ****ing wept.
