Les Huckfield
@lesalteu.bsky.social
Later in life progressive academic and activist
Sander. This is an excellent well throught through piece. But I can't access it without paying NRC. Can you help, please? Thank you.
New @nrc.nl essay on euro internationalisation.
The euro’s gap with the dollar is narrowing: Europe is rebuilding military strength, and it increasingly stands as the world’s rule-of-law anchor.
Whether it builds deeper markets & more safe assets is up to Europe itself.
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2026/...
The euro’s gap with the dollar is narrowing: Europe is rebuilding military strength, and it increasingly stands as the world’s rule-of-law anchor.
Whether it builds deeper markets & more safe assets is up to Europe itself.
www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2026/...
Opinie | Wat gebeurt er na de val van de dollar?
Economie: De zekerheid van de dollar als wereldanker neemt af. Dat schept een kans voor Europa, stelt Sander Tordoir, als het tenminste durft te kiezen.
www.nrc.nl
February 13, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Sander. This is an excellent well throught through piece. But I can't access it without paying NRC. Can you help, please? Thank you.
@saulstaniforth.bsky.social Anyone who reckons that getting rid of McSweeney or Starmer will change the Labour Party is massively delusional. Most of the PLP are non political and were handpicked for that reason. It's debatable whether the Labour Party should ever again be electable.
Lab MPs gave Starmer long & loud applause last night. Look where the party is. Does he deserve that?
So why? Because the PLP is largely made up of MPs handpicked by Mandelson, McSweeney & others, who blocked anyone with a backbone, principles & the ability to think independently
So why? Because the PLP is largely made up of MPs handpicked by Mandelson, McSweeney & others, who blocked anyone with a backbone, principles & the ability to think independently
February 10, 2026 at 6:16 PM
@saulstaniforth.bsky.social Anyone who reckons that getting rid of McSweeney or Starmer will change the Labour Party is massively delusional. Most of the PLP are non political and were handpicked for that reason. It's debatable whether the Labour Party should ever again be electable.
@saulstaniforth.bsky.social It says something about the irrecoverability of Starmer when the best that Labour can dredge up the morning is Jacqui Smith. Like putting a scullery maid in charge on the bridge of the Titanic.
Jacqui Smith defending Keir Starmer
The fact that Smith can say Starmer is committed to tackling violence against women & girls after giving the friend of convicted paedophile a top govt job underlines her own political & moral bankruptcy. What people have to do for a peerage.
The fact that Smith can say Starmer is committed to tackling violence against women & girls after giving the friend of convicted paedophile a top govt job underlines her own political & moral bankruptcy. What people have to do for a peerage.
February 9, 2026 at 11:30 AM
@saulstaniforth.bsky.social It says something about the irrecoverability of Starmer when the best that Labour can dredge up the morning is Jacqui Smith. Like putting a scullery maid in charge on the bridge of the Titanic.
RIP Jeane. A sad loss. One of the most genuine in Scottish politics.
NEW: Tributes have poured in following the death of former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman
Tributes pour in after death of former health secretary Jeane Freeman
www.thenational.scot
February 7, 2026 at 2:11 PM
RIP Jeane. A sad loss. One of the most genuine in Scottish politics.
@premnsikka.bsky.social. It's not just the peerage. Mandelson emals apparently suggested that Epstein get JP Morgan to "gently threaten" the Government in which he was a senior minister. This surely has legal implications?
House of Lords should strip Mandelson of peerage, says Starmer.
That alone won't do. Mandelson leaked sensitive govt info. How many times did he do so? Who benefited from the leaks?
Mandelson advised Starmer. Starmer made him US ambassador. What did Starmer know?
That alone won't do. Mandelson leaked sensitive govt info. How many times did he do so? Who benefited from the leaks?
Mandelson advised Starmer. Starmer made him US ambassador. What did Starmer know?
House of Lords should strip Mandelson of peerage, says Starmer
PM believes ex-Labour minister should not be member of House of Lords or use title, No 10 spokesperson says
www.theguardian.com
February 2, 2026 at 6:28 PM
@premnsikka.bsky.social. It's not just the peerage. Mandelson emals apparently suggested that Epstein get JP Morgan to "gently threaten" the Government in which he was a senior minister. This surely has legal implications?
Utterly disgraceful. Despite his known close relationship with Epstein, this is the BBC beginnng the re installation of Mandelson. Even before Epstein, Mandelson's shadow across UK politics was dangerous and painful.
"There are millions.. who want their freedom back, who want to restore their democracy & they look to us, the US, Britain.. as their friends"
Back? Friends? The US & Britain overthrew democracy in Iran in 1953 to protect their oil interests & Venezuela shows us nothings changed
Back? Friends? The US & Britain overthrew democracy in Iran in 1953 to protect their oil interests & Venezuela shows us nothings changed
January 11, 2026 at 10:25 AM
Utterly disgraceful. Despite his known close relationship with Epstein, this is the BBC beginnng the re installation of Mandelson. Even before Epstein, Mandelson's shadow across UK politics was dangerous and painful.
If Starmer abstains, he will be toast before May Elections.
There’s going to be a motion of censure at the UN and Starmer is going to have a decision to make.
January 3, 2026 at 7:29 PM
If Starmer abstains, he will be toast before May Elections.
Swinney's "deeply concerned" doesn't speak for most of us in Scotland. We are deeply angry and condemn this illegal occupation and kidnapping of Venezuela's leader.
John Swinney has said he’s 'deeply concerned' over the large-scale strike by the United States on Venezuela
John Swinney responds to US bombing of Venezuela and capturing of Nicolas Maduro
www.thenational.scot
January 3, 2026 at 7:26 PM
Swinney's "deeply concerned" doesn't speak for most of us in Scotland. We are deeply angry and condemn this illegal occupation and kidnapping of Venezuela's leader.
Kevin McKenna more mixed up than usual here.
'This cause is one of the chapters in the Big Cut Out and Keep book of how to be a Leftie. Others include Saving Wur Planet and The Beginner’s Guide to Pronouns'
www.heraldscotland.com/poli...
www.heraldscotland.com/poli...
December 16, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Kevin McKenna more mixed up than usual here.
"Britain 2032. A dystopian state of the nation". Labour Hub's brilliant analysis of what Farage will deliver for the UK.
labourhub.org.uk/2025/11/23/b...
So ensure your Settled Status now.
labourhub.org.uk/2025/11/23/b...
So ensure your Settled Status now.
Britain 2032. A dystopian state of the nation
Ian Hodson looks into the future and makes an assessment of what three years under Reform rule might look like. Foreword: A Nation Rebuilt on Fear When Reform UK swept to power in the 2029 election…
labourhub.org.uk
November 24, 2025 at 10:16 AM
"Britain 2032. A dystopian state of the nation". Labour Hub's brilliant analysis of what Farage will deliver for the UK.
labourhub.org.uk/2025/11/23/b...
So ensure your Settled Status now.
labourhub.org.uk/2025/11/23/b...
So ensure your Settled Status now.
Thanks, @vicderbyshire.bsky.social. Hope you will continue to monitor what will surely become a flow, especially with MTG on the case.
Epstein email released by House Democrats
‘Of course he [Trump] knew about the girls…as he asked Ghislaine to stop’
Donald Trump emphatically denies any wrongdoing
‘Of course he [Trump] knew about the girls…as he asked Ghislaine to stop’
Donald Trump emphatically denies any wrongdoing
November 12, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Thanks, @vicderbyshire.bsky.social. Hope you will continue to monitor what will surely become a flow, especially with MTG on the case.
Whether Mandelson keeps his peerage, retains the Labour Whip or whatever, Starmer, MacSweeney and Co will continue to depend on Mandelson for advice on tactics, strategy and policy. Mandelson wasn't just an Ambassador and remains as Starmer Labour's Godfather.
A Scottish MP who was suspended by Keir Starmer has criticised Peter Mandelson retaining the Labour whip despite being sacked as ambassador
Scottish MP suspended by Starmer criticises Peter Mandelson retaining Labour whip
www.thenational.scot
September 12, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Whether Mandelson keeps his peerage, retains the Labour Whip or whatever, Starmer, MacSweeney and Co will continue to depend on Mandelson for advice on tactics, strategy and policy. Mandelson wasn't just an Ambassador and remains as Starmer Labour's Godfather.
Hopefully she will not conclude her term at the EU Commission Presidency.
"This was the deadliest drone & missile attack on the capital since July.. it shows the Kremlin will stop at nothing to terrorize Ukraine, blindly killing civilians, men, women & children.. this is why we are keeping max pressure on Russia"
The hypocrisy of Ursula von der Leyen
The hypocrisy of Ursula von der Leyen
August 28, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Hopefully she will not conclude her term at the EU Commission Presidency.
Please see my latest piece below on the way the European Union really works. Hopefully more to follow.
A former Member of the European Parliament gives an update on Europe’s leadership under Ursula von der Leyen’s hands | Leslie Huckfield
Is Europe’s leadership fit for purpose?
A former Member of the European Parliament gives an update on Europe’s leadership under Ursula von der Leyen’s hands
bylines.scot
August 26, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Please see my latest piece below on the way the European Union really works. Hopefully more to follow.
When will so called EU leaders ever learn? Their presence anywhere near any peace talks means Putin cannot make concessions when he knows that most of this EU bunch just happy to see the Ukraine War to continue.
NEW: European leaders will join Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington DC for crunch talks with Donald Trump, it has emerged
Top EU leaders to join Zelenskyy in DC for crunch Oval Office talks with Donald Trump
www.thenational.scot
August 17, 2025 at 3:44 PM
When will so called EU leaders ever learn? Their presence anywhere near any peace talks means Putin cannot make concessions when he knows that most of this EU bunch just happy to see the Ukraine War to continue.
Some of us can remember the days when Labour MPs were accountable to their constituents and Constituency Labour Parties.
April 8, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Some of us can remember the days when Labour MPs were accountable to their constituents and Constituency Labour Parties.
And all this happens even before Royal Mail is handed on a plate to a Czech billionaire. We now have a "banking hub" in Auchterarder (Perth and Kinross) which used to be a public toilet.
NEW: 1000 jobs are at risk as the Post Office offloads 108 branches, including in Scotland.
See the full list 👇
See the full list 👇
Full list of all the Post Office branches set to be offloaded – including in Scotland
The Post Office is offloading 108 crown branches, which are currently directly owned and run by the company. Here is the full list of sites affected.
www.thenational.scot
April 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
And all this happens even before Royal Mail is handed on a plate to a Czech billionaire. We now have a "banking hub" in Auchterarder (Perth and Kinross) which used to be a public toilet.
This shows that Trump's Chief of the Council for Economic Advisers didn't pass his Economics 101, espcially when inviting islands with no inhabitants to "write out checks" to the US Government.
CEA Chair Steve Miran suggests the world owes the US for providing its military and the dollar as "public goods." They can pay tariffs without complaint or "simply write checks" to the US Treasury. www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st...
CEA Chairman Steve Miran Hudson Institute Event Remarks
Today I’d like to discuss the United States’ provision of what economists call “global public goods,” for the entire world. First, the United States
www.whitehouse.gov
April 8, 2025 at 3:27 PM
This shows that Trump's Chief of the Council for Economic Advisers didn't pass his Economics 101, espcially when inviting islands with no inhabitants to "write out checks" to the US Government.
Sarah Smith is 100% correct on this. For Zelensky to pick a fight with Trump and Vance in front of a Trump hand picked White House media corps is plain stupid. No wonder Ukraine's Ambassador to the US could only cover her head in her hands. Zelensky's global audience was totally Trump controlled.
NEW: Former BBC Scotland editor Sarah Smith has been criticised for her saying Volodymyr Zelenskyy will need to 'eat a pretty hefty portion of humble pie' after enraging' Donald Trump
Sarah Smith criticised over 'humble pie' Zelenskyy comments following Trump clash
FORMER BBC Scotland editor Sarah Smith has been criticised for her saying Volodymyr Zelenskyy will need to “eat a pretty hefty portion of humble…
www.thenational.scot
March 1, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Sarah Smith is 100% correct on this. For Zelensky to pick a fight with Trump and Vance in front of a Trump hand picked White House media corps is plain stupid. No wonder Ukraine's Ambassador to the US could only cover her head in her hands. Zelensky's global audience was totally Trump controlled.
Sadly, this is @lewisgoodall.com seriously again missing the point. Europe will need to catch up with Trump, Musk, Hegseth and Vance all being on message - the same message. This why they were appointed. The days of all singing from the same neoliberal, globalist and elitist hymnsheet have gone.
Still internalising the Vance Munich speech. A sitting Vice President goes to Europe, barely says a word about the despotic murderous regime which has invaded its neighbour, and instead lectures his allies about freedom of speech. It’d be funny if it weren’t so serious.
February 15, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Sadly, this is @lewisgoodall.com seriously again missing the point. Europe will need to catch up with Trump, Musk, Hegseth and Vance all being on message - the same message. This why they were appointed. The days of all singing from the same neoliberal, globalist and elitist hymnsheet have gone.
This is important, since Von der Leyen's interpretation in her "Competitveness Compass" only makes things worse. Hopefully Council of Ministers' "blocking minority" is not far away. In summary, EU Commission still fails to catch up with new global realities from US and China.
for the first half of this article, one can only muse 'Draghi, back to neoliberal handwaving about regulation' but then it's just a cover to decry the macrofinancial pathologies that bake austerity into the European project.
you couldnt tell from FT subhead
www.ft.com/content/13a8...
you couldnt tell from FT subhead
www.ft.com/content/13a8...
Forget the US — Europe has successfully put tariffs on itself
High internal barriers and regulatory hurdles are far more damaging for growth than anything America might impose
www.ft.com
February 14, 2025 at 6:28 PM
This is important, since Von der Leyen's interpretation in her "Competitveness Compass" only makes things worse. Hopefully Council of Ministers' "blocking minority" is not far away. In summary, EU Commission still fails to catch up with new global realities from US and China.
With both @anneapplebaum.bsky.social and @cbildt.bsky.social opposing him, then Trump must be doing something right to secure peace in Ukraine.
February 13, 2025 at 3:25 PM
With both @anneapplebaum.bsky.social and @cbildt.bsky.social opposing him, then Trump must be doing something right to secure peace in Ukraine.
Interesting that Mandelson's first round Oxford vote not even a third of that for Hague. In second round, Elish Angioloini, for whom many of us would have voted, only 1600 behind Hague.
November 27, 2024 at 2:04 PM
Interesting that Mandelson's first round Oxford vote not even a third of that for Hague. In second round, Elish Angioloini, for whom many of us would have voted, only 1600 behind Hague.
What a tremendous relief to escape from the non stop tirades and barrages from Elon Musk with his continuing worldview on matters about which he knows least. He should confine himself to SpaceX and Tesla.
November 26, 2024 at 10:18 AM
What a tremendous relief to escape from the non stop tirades and barrages from Elon Musk with his continuing worldview on matters about which he knows least. He should confine himself to SpaceX and Tesla.