On the first point, yes, after the USSR collapsed there were nukes in Ukraine. Everyone - Americans, Russians, Brits, Germans - urged them to give them up, assuring them that they'd be safe with… (View Post)

That's a good analysis, though I think one can add one more: there are issues where the government of the day doesn't really want it discussed. Take Libya. Our fingerprints are all over rec… (View Post)

We shall see this week whether Red Wall areas are sticking with Boris. Polling suggests otherwise. As for the transparent attempt to rubbish the report in advance, because, er, the civil servant got … (View Post)

Interesting thread, and your dinner party sounds fun. I'm in a group of broadly leftish people (from Blairite to Corbynite) who have "themed" doinner parties in the same way, where we … (View Post)

Like Rory Stewart over here, he's the sort of guy who middle-class Brits (like most of us) are drawn to - pleasant, interesting, thoughtful, and unassertive. You could have him to stay for a wee… (View Post)