I think that's right, and it does reflect the closed, dictatorial nature of Chinese leadership. I doubt if anyone said, "Oh, let's infect the world." Rather, they said, "Oh, … (View Post)

This piece is interesting on manpower issues (the author is strongly pro-Ukraine, but interested in detail): https://medium.com/@x_TomCooper_x/ukraine-war-early-august-2022-part-2-63aad98130c4 (View Post)

Generally MPs elected "unexpectedly" do make some provision for not holding on. After 1997 I concentrated on digging in and building a personal vote, but by 2009 I was convinced I was going… (View Post)

Remarkable. I don't know if it's only me, but I'm suffering from boiling frog syndrome - I've become so used to this sort of thing that I can't summon up much outrage, wherea… (View Post)

Bloody hell, I wander off for 24 hours and you're STILL all talking about just 3 words and Finland - has Leon cast a magic spell on the site? If this keeps up we'll be begging Putin to send… (View Post)