@eds84.bsky.social
I understand his original thinking, but there have been so many errors in judgement by Mandelson that it’s bizarre he wasn’t fired ages ago. I know he gets on with Trump, for whatever reason… However, there is a difference between placating Trump (sadly necessary at times) and pandering to him.
September 10, 2025 at 5:08 PM
I understand his original thinking, but there have been so many errors in judgement by Mandelson that it’s bizarre he wasn’t fired ages ago. I know he gets on with Trump, for whatever reason… However, there is a difference between placating Trump (sadly necessary at times) and pandering to him.
At the very least they should be using not-for-profit government-owned/contractor-operated models. That way extra capacity is built into the NHS, even if it is being temporarily run/staffed by outside contractors.
June 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
At the very least they should be using not-for-profit government-owned/contractor-operated models. That way extra capacity is built into the NHS, even if it is being temporarily run/staffed by outside contractors.
We need realistic concrete plans, not nonsense about “10x lethality”. There are already good options available off the shelf to genuinely improve capabilities. However, the desire to put off spending seems to be overriding everything.
June 10, 2025 at 8:28 AM
We need realistic concrete plans, not nonsense about “10x lethality”. There are already good options available off the shelf to genuinely improve capabilities. However, the desire to put off spending seems to be overriding everything.
The idea of adopting a high-low mix is, in itself, a great thing. We spent decades using high end jets (Harrier, Tornado & Typhoon) on low intensity operations, wasting their airframe lives. However, drones simply aren’t there yet, especially given their vulnerability shown by the Yemen ops.
June 10, 2025 at 8:25 AM
The idea of adopting a high-low mix is, in itself, a great thing. We spent decades using high end jets (Harrier, Tornado & Typhoon) on low intensity operations, wasting their airframe lives. However, drones simply aren’t there yet, especially given their vulnerability shown by the Yemen ops.
So I need to eat it over the course of ten days or so then?
May 9, 2025 at 6:28 AM
So I need to eat it over the course of ten days or so then?
I agree, we definitely need to be more proactive, and frankly accept not being on the ‘bleeding edge’ technology-wise. It’s our constant insistence that we tweak everything (Ajax, Watchkeeper etc) rather than just buying.
May 5, 2025 at 9:30 AM
I agree, we definitely need to be more proactive, and frankly accept not being on the ‘bleeding edge’ technology-wise. It’s our constant insistence that we tweak everything (Ajax, Watchkeeper etc) rather than just buying.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t be buying stuff now, or quickly. We just need to be very careful about what we buy, to ensure it is as future-proof as possible.
May 4, 2025 at 9:22 PM
I’m not saying we shouldn’t be buying stuff now, or quickly. We just need to be very careful about what we buy, to ensure it is as future-proof as possible.
Okay, 1935, but my point remains, the pace of technological change we’re seeing in Ukraine is rapid. Running out and buying what works right now isn’t necessarily the right choice for a few years from now. Take the Bayraktar TB2 for example… Hailed as the next big thing in 2022, but not anymore…
May 4, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Okay, 1935, but my point remains, the pace of technological change we’re seeing in Ukraine is rapid. Running out and buying what works right now isn’t necessarily the right choice for a few years from now. Take the Bayraktar TB2 for example… Hailed as the next big thing in 2022, but not anymore…
Neither approach is wrong. If you look back to the 1930s, if the RAF had panic bought fighters in 1936, they’d have entered WW2 equipped with hundreds of Hawker Fury biplanes. Waiting made sense when the pace of technological change was so rapid. It’s a balancing act.
May 4, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Neither approach is wrong. If you look back to the 1930s, if the RAF had panic bought fighters in 1936, they’d have entered WW2 equipped with hundreds of Hawker Fury biplanes. Waiting made sense when the pace of technological change was so rapid. It’s a balancing act.
That’s the problem of a delayed need though. Ukraine needs a system now, can’t afford to wait and iron out the bugs etc… So they get a system into service quickly, then fix problems on the go. UK or US needs aren’t as urgent, so rather than rushing a system into service, we focus on fixing first. 1/
May 4, 2025 at 8:39 PM
That’s the problem of a delayed need though. Ukraine needs a system now, can’t afford to wait and iron out the bugs etc… So they get a system into service quickly, then fix problems on the go. UK or US needs aren’t as urgent, so rather than rushing a system into service, we focus on fixing first. 1/
It suggests that any large scale use of USVs may need to include air defence variants. Without air defence, USVs would be relatively easy prey for aircraft. Adding something like LMM/Martlet or Stinger would give a degree of protection, albeit obviously increase the cost of the USVs.
May 3, 2025 at 6:41 PM
It suggests that any large scale use of USVs may need to include air defence variants. Without air defence, USVs would be relatively easy prey for aircraft. Adding something like LMM/Martlet or Stinger would give a degree of protection, albeit obviously increase the cost of the USVs.
Part of the problem has been the refusal to offer any real hope of positive change. Every day it’s “we’re doing this really unpopular thing because of the mess we were left”, rather than any glimmer of optimism. Who votes for a party that offers no hope?
May 3, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Part of the problem has been the refusal to offer any real hope of positive change. Every day it’s “we’re doing this really unpopular thing because of the mess we were left”, rather than any glimmer of optimism. Who votes for a party that offers no hope?
I didn’t say that at all. Labour have alienated a large chunk of their supporters. The previous Tory supporters have largely gone over to Reform. Labour moving further right hasn’t helped anyone.
May 2, 2025 at 9:39 AM
I didn’t say that at all. Labour have alienated a large chunk of their supporters. The previous Tory supporters have largely gone over to Reform. Labour moving further right hasn’t helped anyone.
No, people largely flocked to far right Reform because they usually voted Tory, but couldn’t bring themselves to vote Tory this time. Traditional Labour voters were largely apathetic this vote, because Labour are copying the Tory playbook.
May 2, 2025 at 9:32 AM
No, people largely flocked to far right Reform because they usually voted Tory, but couldn’t bring themselves to vote Tory this time. Traditional Labour voters were largely apathetic this vote, because Labour are copying the Tory playbook.
Sadly the reality is that they’ll interpret it as not being far enough to the right. So after the election, they’ll announce some more dog whistle policies, throw some more minority groups under the bus to out-Reform Reform…
May 2, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Sadly the reality is that they’ll interpret it as not being far enough to the right. So after the election, they’ll announce some more dog whistle policies, throw some more minority groups under the bus to out-Reform Reform…
I would suggest that Europe taking a hard line on Beijing is very much in the interests of the US, but not necessarily of Europe. The US desperately wants everyone to pressure China now, but given how Trump has behaved, any chance of a united front is remote at best.
May 1, 2025 at 9:08 AM
I would suggest that Europe taking a hard line on Beijing is very much in the interests of the US, but not necessarily of Europe. The US desperately wants everyone to pressure China now, but given how Trump has behaved, any chance of a united front is remote at best.
To be fair, if the glove fits… 😂
April 30, 2025 at 6:33 PM
To be fair, if the glove fits… 😂
It rather suggests that investing heavily in Reaper/Protector is problematic. Especially for mission critical surveillance like AEW - perhaps something to bear in mind given the RN’s recent AEW RFP…
April 30, 2025 at 2:57 PM
It rather suggests that investing heavily in Reaper/Protector is problematic. Especially for mission critical surveillance like AEW - perhaps something to bear in mind given the RN’s recent AEW RFP…
I’ve seen the odd episode, I just couldn’t get into it. Probably partly because I didn’t like Ecclestone much, though Tennant & Capaldi seemed quite good.
April 28, 2025 at 8:26 AM
I’ve seen the odd episode, I just couldn’t get into it. Probably partly because I didn’t like Ecclestone much, though Tennant & Capaldi seemed quite good.
Never really got into the new ones personally (I grew up watching the old ones, ending at Sylvester McCoy), but there does seem to be a lot of unnecessary whingeing. If people think the old series never had weak/bad storylines they weren’t paying attention!
April 28, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Never really got into the new ones personally (I grew up watching the old ones, ending at Sylvester McCoy), but there does seem to be a lot of unnecessary whingeing. If people think the old series never had weak/bad storylines they weren’t paying attention!
I’m not even convinced it’s a Kompromat issue, let alone being an agent. I’m beginning to suspect that he’s actually just really gullible and admires the “strongman” aspect of Putin so much that he’s willing to bend (America) over backwards, and screw over allies in the process.
April 27, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I’m not even convinced it’s a Kompromat issue, let alone being an agent. I’m beginning to suspect that he’s actually just really gullible and admires the “strongman” aspect of Putin so much that he’s willing to bend (America) over backwards, and screw over allies in the process.
Nope, it’s just for those without that status. It’s a total pain in the backside, but everywhere seems to be adopting it (UK passport holders will need it for EU travel as soon as their system is up and running).
April 26, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Nope, it’s just for those without that status. It’s a total pain in the backside, but everywhere seems to be adopting it (UK passport holders will need it for EU travel as soon as their system is up and running).
Enjoy it while it lasts! Before you know it it’ll be nothing but plain chicken and fish fingers! 😂
April 26, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Enjoy it while it lasts! Before you know it it’ll be nothing but plain chicken and fish fingers! 😂
This would have a huge regional influence. For example, the ‘c’ word in some areas of the country is seen as deeply offensive, yet in other areas it’s a commonly used word, sometimes used somewhat affectionately!
April 25, 2025 at 11:12 AM
This would have a huge regional influence. For example, the ‘c’ word in some areas of the country is seen as deeply offensive, yet in other areas it’s a commonly used word, sometimes used somewhat affectionately!
If you recognise Crimea as being Russian, you lose any vague credibility to argue against China seizing Taiwan by force. That’s probably his plan, handing a win to Putin and Xi, in exchange for dodgy financial concessions.
April 24, 2025 at 5:24 PM
If you recognise Crimea as being Russian, you lose any vague credibility to argue against China seizing Taiwan by force. That’s probably his plan, handing a win to Putin and Xi, in exchange for dodgy financial concessions.