Just been watching the Ch4 Blair doc. All that debate and diplomacy before Iraq. UN resolutions, the sense of what Europe thinks being important, the agonising over legality. Different world. And despite ending up with a disastrous decision I'd say a better one.
The extraordinary thing with Blair are his recent comments over the war on Iran.
He looked at his career and decided that his biggest mistake needed repeating in a double or quits.
Yes, i used to think he was just in denial about Iraq. Unable to comprehend how awful a mistake he had made.
But his eagerness to intervene again and again across Middle East is probably something more...
It really seems sub-optimal for the Americans to have elected the worst person in their country president twice, then do nothing about restraining the mad man-baby.
It appears someone somewhere has worked out that Iran's stated closure of the Straits of Hormuz may not have a lot behind it especially at night.
Either that or someone is leaning on the Iranians.
Either way the next 24 hours will be interesting
But who can lean on them? Russia? They are loving the surge in oil prices (assuming they can get their oil out).
China? The idea of a world recession - or worse - isn't attaractive to them (much as they might like to study how low the US armamaent stocks have got). They want oil prices down - and fast.
In return, China could host the enriched uranium. Together with any Iranian scientists who might like some time away - to learn Chinese, for example. From like-minded Chinese nuclear phycists and engineers.
EXCL: One in four settled status migrants from outside the EU are claiming benefits, analysis reveals.
It has led Tories to warn that Britain must not remain a “cash machine for the world”.
Google AI tells me that 35% of British adults are on benefits. Sounds like we need more migrants!!
It has led Tories to warn that Britain must not remain a “cash machine for the world”.
WHO WAS BEHIND BORISWAVE!
WHAT CREATED BORISWAVE!
BREXIT BORIS
Same Old Tories Same Old Lies Same Old Delusion Complete Lack of Contrition!
Not only did Brexit not create the Boriswave, it was also not the justification for it - that was fear of a post-covid economic contraction. It also didn't create the legal environment for the Boriswave - we were quite at liberty to import hundreds of thousands from non-EU countries before we left.
I can't see that there's really any connection at all, beyond the fact that it happened after Brexit.
EXCL: One in four settled status migrants from outside the EU are claiming benefits, analysis reveals.
It has led Tories to warn that Britain must not remain a “cash machine for the world”.
A wrinkle with the EU's Freedom Of Movement was that an EU national in the UK could only claim benefits if the were a worker and searching for work. The Boris Wave has no such restrictions.
EXCL: One in four settled status migrants from outside the EU are claiming benefits, analysis reveals.
It has led Tories to warn that Britain must not remain a “cash machine for the world”.
Google AI tells me that 35% of British adults are on benefits. Sounds like we need more migrants!!
It has led Tories to warn that Britain must not remain a “cash machine for the world”.
WHO WAS BEHIND BORISWAVE!
WHAT CREATED BORISWAVE!
BREXIT BORIS
Same Old Tories Same Old Lies Same Old Delusion Complete Lack of Contrition!
Not only did Brexit not create the Boriswave, it was also not the justification for it - that was fear of a post-covid economic contraction. It also didn't create the legal environment for the Boriswave - we were quite at liberty to import hundreds of thousands from non-EU countries before we left.
I can't see that there's really any connection at all, beyond the fact that it happened after Brexit.
It was enabled hoping the economic boost would cover up or counteract the expected slump from Brexit
Just been watching the Ch4 Blair doc. All that debate and diplomacy before Iraq. UN resolutions, the sense of what Europe thinks being important, the agonising over legality. Different world. And despite ending up with a disastrous decision I'd say a better one.
The extraordinary thing with Blair are his recent comments over the war on Iran.
He looked at his career and decided that his biggest mistake needed repeating in a double or quits.
No, that's overegging it, Foxy.
The mistake had its roots in his earlier decision to join himself at the hip with the White House when Bush was elected. Once he'd decided to do that it was nigh on impossible for him to keep us out of Iraq. Europe and the UN offered him an alternative, but it would have been very difficult for him to take it in view of that commitment to the Bush administration.
It really seems sub-optimal for the Americans to have elected the worst person in their country president twice, then do nothing about restraining the mad man-baby.
EXCL: One in four settled status migrants from outside the EU are claiming benefits, analysis reveals.
It has led Tories to warn that Britain must not remain a “cash machine for the world”.
A wrinkle with the EU's Freedom Of Movement was that an EU national in the UK could only claim benefits if the were a worker and searching for work. The Boris Wave has no such restrictions.
Funny that.
No, "settled status" is the immigration status of settled EU citizens. The rest of the world has ILR. Both can claim benefits.
EXCL: One in four settled status migrants from outside the EU are claiming benefits, analysis reveals.
It has led Tories to warn that Britain must not remain a “cash machine for the world”.
A wrinkle with the EU's Freedom Of Movement was that an EU national in the UK could only claim benefits if the were a worker and searching for work. The Boris Wave has no such restrictions.
Funny that.
No, "settled status" is the immigration status of settled EU citizens. The rest of the world has ILR. Both can claim benefits.
EXCL: One in four settled status migrants from outside the EU are claiming benefits, analysis reveals.
It has led Tories to warn that Britain must not remain a “cash machine for the world”.
A wrinkle with the EU's Freedom Of Movement was that an EU national in the UK could only claim benefits if the were a worker and searching for work. The Boris Wave has no such restrictions.
Funny that.
No, "settled status" is the immigration status of settled EU citizens. The rest of the world has ILR. Both can claim benefits.
So, who does the original tweet mean when it talks of “settled status migrants from outside the EU”?
EXCL: One in four settled status migrants from outside the EU are claiming benefits, analysis reveals.
It has led Tories to warn that Britain must not remain a “cash machine for the world”.
A wrinkle with the EU's Freedom Of Movement was that an EU national in the UK could only claim benefits if the were a worker and searching for work. The Boris Wave has no such restrictions.
Funny that.
No, "settled status" is the immigration status of settled EU citizens. The rest of the world has ILR. Both can claim benefits.
Mum has Settled Status.
Not Indefinite Leave to Remain? OK, I might be wrong then.
EXCL: One in four settled status migrants from outside the EU are claiming benefits, analysis reveals.
It has led Tories to warn that Britain must not remain a “cash machine for the world”.
A wrinkle with the EU's Freedom Of Movement was that an EU national in the UK could only claim benefits if the were a worker and searching for work. The Boris Wave has no such restrictions.
Funny that.
No, "settled status" is the immigration status of settled EU citizens. The rest of the world has ILR. Both can claim benefits.
Mum has Settled Status.
Not Indefinite Leave to Remain? OK, I might be wrong then.
GOV.UK and Citizens Advice say settled status is only for EU, EEA and Swiss (so the original tweet could be referring to just those from Switzerland, Liechtenstein etc.), but some sources online seem to blur the ILR/ settled status distinction.
EXCL: One in four settled status migrants from outside the EU are claiming benefits, analysis reveals.
It has led Tories to warn that Britain must not remain a “cash machine for the world”.
A wrinkle with the EU's Freedom Of Movement was that an EU national in the UK could only claim benefits if the were a worker and searching for work. The Boris Wave has no such restrictions.
Funny that.
No, "settled status" is the immigration status of settled EU citizens. The rest of the world has ILR. Both can claim benefits.
Mum has Settled Status.
Not Indefinite Leave to Remain? OK, I might be wrong then.
GOV.UK and Citizens Advice say settled status is only for EU, EEA and Swiss (so the original tweet could be referring to just those from Switzerland, Liechtenstein etc.), but some sources online seem to blur the ILR/ settled status distinction.
It is much the same. Other countries would call it residency.
EXCL: One in four settled status migrants from outside the EU are claiming benefits, analysis reveals.
It has led Tories to warn that Britain must not remain a “cash machine for the world”.
A wrinkle with the EU's Freedom Of Movement was that an EU national in the UK could only claim benefits if the were a worker and searching for work. The Boris Wave has no such restrictions.
Funny that.
No, "settled status" is the immigration status of settled EU citizens. The rest of the world has ILR. Both can claim benefits.
One in four with settled status claiming benefits is a much lower percentage than the general population - and is almost the same figure as that for those in work. So what's the fuss about - other than the deliberately provocative headline ?
As far as ILR is concerned, the new rules mean it takes a decade to achieve that.
It really seems sub-optimal for the Americans to have elected the worst person in their country president twice, then do nothing about restraining the mad man-baby.
I’ve no idea what Trump is trying to say, there.
I think it's a rather convoluted euphemism for 'it's time for the 25th Amendment to be invoked.'
Comments
Trump says he bombed Iran on the counsel of Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff and Pete Hegseth.
https://x.com/ShaykhSulaiman/status/2031172327598076266
But his eagerness to intervene again and again across Middle East is probably something more...
But are both favoured foreign policy envoys, and now apparently determine military action too.
Along with the drunk.
WHO WAS BEHIND BORISWAVE!
WHAT CREATED BORISWAVE!
BREXIT
BORIS
Same Old Tories
Same Old Lies
Same Old Delusion
Complete Lack of Contrition!
"All of the people that died through the roadside bombs. Died and are right now walking around with no legs, no arms".
https://bsky.app/profile/mrpassportking.bsky.social/post/3mgnzliu36s2r
It really seems sub-optimal for the Americans to have elected the worst person in their country president twice, then do nothing about restraining the mad man-baby.
China? The idea of a world recession - or worse - isn't attaractive to them (much as they might like to study how low the US armamaent stocks have got). They want oil prices down - and fast.
In return, China could host the enriched uranium. Together with any Iranian scientists who might like some time away - to learn Chinese, for example. From like-minded Chinese nuclear phycists and engineers.
Does anybody else have any clout over Tehran?
No YouGov today, delayed till tomorrow according to Sam Coates.
I can't see that there's really any connection at all, beyond the fact that it happened after Brexit.
Funny that.
The mistake had its roots in his earlier decision to join himself at the hip with the White House when Bush was elected. Once he'd decided to do that it was nigh on impossible for him to keep us out of Iraq. Europe and the UN offered him an alternative, but it would have been very difficult for him to take it in view of that commitment to the Bush administration.
Ah, my coat.
https://reissedwards.co.uk/immigration-blog/difference-between-ilr-settled-status-and-permanent-residence-in-the-uk/ Seems like a good explainer
As far as ILR is concerned, the new rules mean it takes a decade to achieve that.
The "cash machine" line is disingenuous.
Cheltenham, Day 1
Who is on the Mullins treble?
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