RE: “Viktor Orbán is out – and now the world knows another way is possible” by Alastair Campbell, TNW #478
Europe must not become complacent. This is a single victory in Hungary; the enemies Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are far from beaten and will doubtless come back. We must protect the winners – the Hungarian and Ukrainian people. We must assist wherever possible.
John Simpson
Let’s hope this lets some sunlight in, but Hungary has a serious institutional problem. The courts have been an important part of the state machine, as everywhere, and while independent journalists can come in to help reshape the media, regenerating the judiciary is a difficult and long-term project. Without that, Péter Magyar’s promise of ending corruption will be difficult to keep.
Christopher Lord
My enjoyment of Alastair Campbell’s otherwise excellent diary was brought to a sudden end by his gratuitous use of the F-word, which I am old enough to find offensive. When said in heated debate an apology will soothe, but in print it reflects on the whole editorial team. Save it for the bad guys.
Derek Walker, Bath
Re: “Orbán’s defeat: the beginning of the end of populism”, by Marie Le Conte, TNW #478
It’s a start on the road to recovery from a corrupt dictator.
Let this result send a shockwave to tyrants the world over, and encouragement to everyone fighting for democracy. Congratulations to Hungary!
Audrey Bailey
Re: “The truth about Trump’s Iran downfall – the worst is yet to come”, TNW #478, by Paul Mason.
Yet another article that shows what an utter farce the “special relationship” is. Britain has to recognise that its place in the world is with Europe, not a country that elected a grotesque idiot like Donald Trump. Time to apply to rejoin (or join, if you like), the EU and form a common European army.
And tell the traitors and idiots of the far right and their accomplices on the far left to get stuffed.
Alexander Blackburn
RE: “A very unholy war”, by Paola Totaro and Maria Antonietta Calabrò, TNW #478
As a Catholic, I am naturally inclined to Team Leo as opposed
to Team Trump and I am gratified that he is talking truth to “omnipotent” power.
It is possible the president thought that with an American pontiff in situ, his wild and off-the-wall world strategies would receive an automatic ecclesiastical blessing. Wrong! The fact that Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Pope Leo’s ambassador to the US, was more than likely given a Zelensky-type pile-on is entirely possible. I, like many other Catholics, would commend Pope Leo’s stance.
Judith A Daniels, Norfolk
Thank God I am agnostic. Love the new adversary on the block though: Pope Leo really stirs things nicely.
Susan Burningham
Suggested Reading
From Orbán fan to Orbán foe: will Péter Magyar change Hungary?
Here is the reason that Donald Trump dislikes the Pope. It’s jealousy. Trump could plausibly claim that he is the leader of 348 million US citizens around the world (although this would be disputed by many of them), whereas the Pope is considered the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics around the world. Guess who has the greater influence?
Andy Wright
Could you please curtail the number of pieces raging against the evils of Donald Trump and speculating about how he is to be removed? We know he is bad and that the Americans must be rid of him. But this is all outside our control. We need reliable analyses about the effects of his war on the various countries in the Middle East and, closer to home, a better understanding of the obstacles that lie in the way of our re-insertion into Europe.
Anthony Lodge
RE: “In search of a political home”, by Nadine White, TNW #478
I was surprised that once again the Liberal Democrats were written out of any talk about political parties. The Lib Dems have been trying for years to get more Black and Asian candidates for selection for council places and parliament. We have committees dedicated to getting more candidates from non-white voters.
Gail Coleshill, Somerset
RE: “Why is everyone trying to kill Sam Altman?” by Matt Muir, TNW online.
If the man’s view is that artificial intelligence will eventually lead to the end of the world, one wonders why he persists in developing it.
It’s a shame he and his mates can’t spend their time and energy on doing something that might actually help humanity.
Richard Robinson
Re: “Want to see the future? Forget Britain – go to Morocco”, by John Kampfner, TNW #478
Excellent and interesting article. It just goes to show that if we drop the ridiculous concept that the largely white western world is better than the foreigners, and come to terms with the fact that we are all the population of the earth and capable of working together, then perhaps we can defeat Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, Nigel Farage and all the other racist nutcases, and build a better world.
Keith Brisley
RE: “Former Nato chief goes headfirst into the political swamp” by James Ball, TNW online.
Welfare has become such a loaded term. In this context it seems to mean “unemployed spongers”. Inconveniently, the vast majority of welfare spending is directed to the ever-growing tribe of pensioners – the simple demographic pressures of our population.
Heaven forfend though that we should ever discuss the invidious triple lock.
Andrew Jones
RE: “Everyday philosophy: Are plants conscious?” TNW #478
I can hear the inevitable “I told you so!” from our beloved monarch…
Alistair Knight
BELOW THE LINE
RE: The next sacking is going to be Starmer, TNW online by James Ball.
Surely the first questions must be: why was it necessary to change the US ambassador, and who made that decision? She was doing a good job. This whole mess could have been avoided.
Derek Stirling
This is such a diversion – what about all the important stuff we need to be doing, on the economy and foreign affairs, levelling up, improving the health service and fixing education? Instead, one man’s lies are taking up the airwaves.
James Clark
RE: “Dear progressives, stop being wimpish on Trump”, by Patience Wheatcroft TNW #478.
I could not agree more. I have been saying since Trump first became president in 2016 that, much as us moderates hate to do so, we have to shout as loud as those on the populist wing do, with as much vehemence. You may not like it, it goes against the grain of reasoned argument and debate – but you have to fight fire with fire.
Adam Primhak
