Re: “A world sliding into chaos” by Paul Mason (TNW #473).
If I thought Donald Trump’s true intention in going to war with Iran was really trying to liberate the oppressed population from a disgusting regime, I would be the first to congratulate him. Perhaps his next move will be liberating the oppressed people of North Korea and Russia from their monstrous dictators?
Of course, his aim is about deflecting attention from his own troubles, with no care for the innocent people who will be killed as a result.
Peter Cooling
Is Trump leading up to cancelling or deferring the mid-terms “because the USA is at war”?
Neil Philpott
After hearing Trump berate Keir Starmer, surely the “special relationship” should now be termed the “specially abusive relationship”?
Peter Reynolds
Nottingham, Notts
Ironically, this crisis caused by a reckless US president is showing Keir Starmer in a favourable light to both the other options in his own party and alternative prime ministers in Reform and the Conservatives.
The idea of Nigel Farage in charge of Britain at a perilous time like this sends a shiver down the spine!
Brian Ronson
Re: “How to lose a by-election” by James Ball (TNW #473).
The Gorton and Denton by-election was not lost by Labour so much as won by a masterstroke of populism. The Reform candidate was awful but the Greens selected a personable young woman with a working-class trade and a platform that was (with a few changes) a true Labour manifesto – just what this area wanted. The media loved her and once the tactical voting data supported her, she was clearly going to win.
Labour will need to reclaim their territory if they want another five years in government.
Sally Churchill
Pontypridd, Wales
What a splendid article by James Ball. As soon as I saw the result in Gorton & Denton, my mind went back to Orpington in March 1962, when a Tory safe seat was lost to a huge swing to the Liberals, signalling the end of the ruling party.
Labour must change course now, and that includes standing up to Trump abroad as well as no “nasty party” stuff at home.
Robert Boston
Kingshill, Kent
Clinging to Rachel Reeves’s fiscal rules won’t give Labour any chance of surviving at the next general election. What might would be to replace her with a chancellor who makes clear that growth for all comes from massive investment in our social and green infrastructure.
This ‘jobs in every constituency’ transformation could be substantially funded by encouraging the redirection of the tens of billions saved by UK residents every year in Isas, premium bonds and pensions into such a social and green transition.
Colin Hines
Suggested Reading
Letter of the week: Reform has no plan to fix “broken Britain”
Re: Alastair Campbell in Ukraine (TNW #473)
There’s an ugly political problem that isn’t being talked about waiting in the wings if Ukraine falls: millions more Ukrainian refugees in western Europe. Moldova would surely fall too, sending yet more people westwards (why on earth isn’t there a European garrison in Moldova?).
The threat to Poland and the Baltic states if Ukraine falls is real and obvious, and would demand even more sacrifice from taxpayers across Europe. This would be problematic enough. But add in millions more refugees –who surely could not be sent back – and the risk of political strife increases. Doubtless, Putin is well aware of this.
Britain and France could drop some game-changing kit into the theatre, and they should do so while they still can.
RSP Zatsen
Re: Rats In A Sack on Farage’s fortune (TNW #473).
It still amazes me that Nigel Farage is allowed to present a nightly TV show when he’s meant to be a leader of a political party and an MP! Imagine the leader of the opposition doing that in the past – Kinnock Live! Or At the Hague with William. I expect we will soon be watching Naughty but Tice (Live from Dubai).
I mock, but it’s wrong that Farage does all this and it’s just accepted. Look at the grief Keir Starmer received for going to a Taylor Swift concert and getting some free glasses.
Matt Crocker
Re: “Secrets, shame and sextortion” by Ros Taylor (TNW #473).
While I have every sympathy for those who are falling foul of this disgusting scamming, and nothing but disgust for the people who use this crime to extort money, one wonders why the nude parts of the body are such a shaming target? I do not for one moment advocate sending nude photos to anyone, but why you would pay up for exposing parts of your body seems to me redundant for most people.
The answer is to educate people, and especially younger ones, to not EVER send these pics in the first place.
Adam Primhak
Re: “How Brexit spurred a malaise across Europe” by JP O’Malley (TNW #473).
Author David Marsh writes: “Whether we like it or not, we will have to cut down on social values in Europe, as it becomes poorer and less able to support a fully-fledged [welfare] state.”
What kind of existence does that suggest for ordinary folk, old people on the breadline and, most importantly, young people going out into the world only to find masses of mind-numbing low-paid work or over-controlled but better-paid work under the cosh of the super-rich?
This is an abject and unnecessary outcome. Europe represents a phenomenal seat of culture, educational success and diversity, with a healthy celebration of freedom (up until Brexit, that is, when the bullies and liars got their teeth into the media).
We must back one another rather than accept the world belongs to China, with its aversion to freedom of expression, and the newly fundamental MAGA maniacs over the pond who are solely interested in the already super-wealthy.
Keith Brisley
Suggested Reading
How Brexit spurred a malaise across Europe
Re: A thought.
I am more encouraged than ever by TNW’s journalism. Something is missing, though: climate is now such a focus for anyone serious about the future of our planet, let alone the UK/EU. It is also a wedge issue and disinformation target pushed by figures on the maverick hard right, alongside migration. Net zero, energy bills and planning conflicts are being exploited much as left behind-ness was 10 years ago (and still is) – such that breaking net zero is clearly viewed as Brexit 2.0. Shouldn’t TNW host a dedicated ‘climate plus’ column?
Dr Andrew Blewett
BELOW THE LINE
Re: Scientist at large on rare earths (TNW #474).
Philip Ball shouldn’t worry too much about the environmental impact of mining materials for electric cars. With AI expected to take up to 80% of office jobs by the end of next year, demand for such luxuries will soon be a thing of the past.
Marin Morgan
Re: “Four women who took on a monster” by Jamie Klingler (TNW #473).
Online child sexual abuse is soaring, at about 1,000 cases a month. We’ve just had the appalling Grok with sexualised images of women and children, not to mention the Pelicot case and the Epstein fallout. Are people now so devoid of ethical constraints that this behaviour towards others is acceptable?
Wendy Hodgson
Re: Dilettante on keeping up with old friends (TNW #473).
Having recently joined a WhatsApp group of people who left my school 50 years ago, I have been delighted by a similarity of outlook among my peers. Meeting in person was difficult as I actually recognised few people, but it was really valuable discovering how much we have in common, whether we wore Sta-Prest and brogues or greatcoats and long hair in the 70s.
Simon Durrant
