Isabel Oakeshott's (very) Rough Guide to Dubai

As the bombs rain down on Dubai, what better time for the Spectator to run what is basically an extended puff-piece about the delights of living in the blazing theocracy?

Isabel Oakeshott, Emirati resident, fiancée of Richard Tice and international editor for little-watched web channel Talk, has penned an article for the magazine titled “I love Dubai. Get over it”, boasting about the wonders of living in the city YouTubers are currently fleeing en masse.

The right wing hackette, presumably not employed by Talk for her geopolitical expertise, tells how she initially “didn’t believe” that Iran might strike the UAE, writing: “The idea that the mad mullahs would start lashing out in this direction seemed completely absurd. Though the Emiratis take a far dimmer view of Islamic extremism than our own craven British government, they are careful not to upset ‘brotherly’ neighbours.”

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Ed Davey takes on Oakeshott and Tice

Rats in a Sack

And guess what? Even as bombs fall, Isabel prefers a restrictive city under siege to Starmer/Khan’s coalist hellhole of London!

“Just what is it about Dubai that is so triggering for some folk, especially lefties?” she writes about a city where public displays of affection are outlawed, the government regulates clothing and moaning about the authorities on social media can lead to fines and deportation. “They can’t seem to understand why so many Brits would choose to live in a place where the sun shines all the time and there’s no risk of being randomly stabbed.”

Randomly stabbed, no. Randomly hit by one of the 189 ballistic missiles, 941 drone attacks and three cruise missiles so far thrown at Dubai by Iran, though: yes.

“One thing Brits love about this place is the leadership, in the broadest sense of the word. Of course, it’s not a democracy, so those in charge can do what they want, but the vision and ability to make things happen is stunning,” she adds. Sounds lovely! We’d jump on a flight immediately but, er, there currently aren’t any.