peter10997.bsky.social
@peter10997.bsky.social
Merz is getting much praise for his "klare Worte", which are all well and good, but one can't help think that Merkel would have more effectively done the actual hard work of calling and cajoling in advance to avoid surprises.
December 20, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Merz is getting much praise for his "klare Worte", which are all well and good, but one can't help think that Merkel would have more effectively done the actual hard work of calling and cajoling in advance to avoid surprises.
I am giving my own quite normal reaction, which is that I quite liked it, and it sounded like Starmer to me. Please at least accept that it's possible for some people to simply read something without imposing one's own thoughts on what a perfect piece of political communication somehow should be.
December 7, 2025 at 4:18 PM
I am giving my own quite normal reaction, which is that I quite liked it, and it sounded like Starmer to me. Please at least accept that it's possible for some people to simply read something without imposing one's own thoughts on what a perfect piece of political communication somehow should be.
People read Substack for the quirkiness and authenticity of the posters. I enjoyed this and feel I learned something. It certainly felt as if the PM himself was writing it, which cannot be taken for granted these days. If nothing else, perhaps it's a good way for the PM to sort out his thoughts.
December 7, 2025 at 12:35 PM
People read Substack for the quirkiness and authenticity of the posters. I enjoyed this and feel I learned something. It certainly felt as if the PM himself was writing it, which cannot be taken for granted these days. If nothing else, perhaps it's a good way for the PM to sort out his thoughts.
My one and only ever letter to the BBC was regarding his team's report into Reeves' lunch expenses from two decades ago - which they made the main news for two days in a row ahead of JD Vance's speech at the Munich Security Conference and other world-altering events. He deffo needs to go.
December 1, 2025 at 1:40 PM
My one and only ever letter to the BBC was regarding his team's report into Reeves' lunch expenses from two decades ago - which they made the main news for two days in a row ahead of JD Vance's speech at the Munich Security Conference and other world-altering events. He deffo needs to go.
There was huge social democratic centrist opposition to Wilson and Callaghan: Roy Jenkins and co - hence the SDP and Labour's absence from government for 18 years. Centrists resisted Attlee on prescription charges. There are always sadly Labour factions doing the Tory Press's work.
December 1, 2025 at 10:23 AM
There was huge social democratic centrist opposition to Wilson and Callaghan: Roy Jenkins and co - hence the SDP and Labour's absence from government for 18 years. Centrists resisted Attlee on prescription charges. There are always sadly Labour factions doing the Tory Press's work.
People on the left in the late '40s, '60s and '70s said the same kind of things about Attlee, Wilson and Callaghan.
December 1, 2025 at 9:06 AM
People on the left in the late '40s, '60s and '70s said the same kind of things about Attlee, Wilson and Callaghan.
I would certainly like to believe that there are actual Green voters still interested in green things who have the brainpower to compare Labour's record on the environment with Reform's policies (of course, this is based on Labour not doing a post-Uxbridge Rishi any time soon).
November 25, 2025 at 11:52 AM
I would certainly like to believe that there are actual Green voters still interested in green things who have the brainpower to compare Labour's record on the environment with Reform's policies (of course, this is based on Labour not doing a post-Uxbridge Rishi any time soon).
I have been saying for ages that Merz is Robert Jenrick's role model in terms of assuming nasty rhetorical positions. Jenrick is certainly taking inspiration from him. Dismal situation.
October 20, 2025 at 12:47 PM
I have been saying for ages that Merz is Robert Jenrick's role model in terms of assuming nasty rhetorical positions. Jenrick is certainly taking inspiration from him. Dismal situation.
In more understandable lettuce terms, not even a baby romaine.
October 6, 2025 at 8:06 AM
In more understandable lettuce terms, not even a baby romaine.
It's funny that the famous Jeckyl and Hyde characteristic of the population extends to international commentators. Something in the middle (but still mad) is James Hawes's Short History - blaming protestant Prussia for all evil and seeing the Catholic (ex-Roman) parts as source of all that is good!
September 9, 2025 at 10:33 AM
It's funny that the famous Jeckyl and Hyde characteristic of the population extends to international commentators. Something in the middle (but still mad) is James Hawes's Short History - blaming protestant Prussia for all evil and seeing the Catholic (ex-Roman) parts as source of all that is good!
I think Reeves is correct. The right wing is desperate for there to be a bond crisis / Truss-style implosion. Labour's number one way of winning the votes they need across the country is showing they have stewarded the economy wisely.
September 9, 2025 at 8:51 AM
I think Reeves is correct. The right wing is desperate for there to be a bond crisis / Truss-style implosion. Labour's number one way of winning the votes they need across the country is showing they have stewarded the economy wisely.
Perhaps she has great plans for Phase II.
September 5, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Perhaps she has great plans for Phase II.
As deputy prime minister, he can continue his relationship with Vance. It is not as if Vance is Secretary of State. In fact deputy PM is actually the equivalent of vice president.
September 5, 2025 at 3:32 PM
As deputy prime minister, he can continue his relationship with Vance. It is not as if Vance is Secretary of State. In fact deputy PM is actually the equivalent of vice president.
To be fair, Cooper was instrumental in making the Anglo-French treaty happen. She has apparently been courting the French for years while in opposition. She may be rather good at FS.
September 5, 2025 at 3:16 PM
To be fair, Cooper was instrumental in making the Anglo-French treaty happen. She has apparently been courting the French for years while in opposition. She may be rather good at FS.
Certainly in the nineteenth century, nationalism and liberalism were often intertwined, particularly in the movements leading to the 1848 revolutions.
August 26, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Certainly in the nineteenth century, nationalism and liberalism were often intertwined, particularly in the movements leading to the 1848 revolutions.
One thing I have noted since Merkel's departure is that there is much less top-level talk or discussion of Europe. "Starkes Europa" used to be a regular call. I see much less of that these days. IMHO, this ties to your point about a slide to a more nationalistic worldview.
August 14, 2025 at 8:49 AM
One thing I have noted since Merkel's departure is that there is much less top-level talk or discussion of Europe. "Starkes Europa" used to be a regular call. I see much less of that these days. IMHO, this ties to your point about a slide to a more nationalistic worldview.
Robin Alexander's two Merkel books clearly reflect intimate access to the inner circle. I found them great reads and surprisingly easy German if you already know what happened.
June 18, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Robin Alexander's two Merkel books clearly reflect intimate access to the inner circle. I found them great reads and surprisingly easy German if you already know what happened.
China and Chinese relations are kind of a big deal in NZ.
June 18, 2025 at 11:09 AM
China and Chinese relations are kind of a big deal in NZ.
The UK abolished slavery in its colonies circa 1833, having abolished the Atlantic slave trade some decades earlier. So slavery would theoretically have ended sooner. Free health is good too.
June 14, 2025 at 12:32 PM
The UK abolished slavery in its colonies circa 1833, having abolished the Atlantic slave trade some decades earlier. So slavery would theoretically have ended sooner. Free health is good too.
Surely this shitshow is largely due to the Conservatives (particularly Badenoch) weaponising this as an issue while still in power. Unlike Labour, Tories have never advanced LGBTQ rights - gay marriage was a free vote, not Tory policy.
June 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Surely this shitshow is largely due to the Conservatives (particularly Badenoch) weaponising this as an issue while still in power. Unlike Labour, Tories have never advanced LGBTQ rights - gay marriage was a free vote, not Tory policy.
He had a good and - thankfully - long life. I must reread him! He also opened my mind to things in Proust that I really should have spotted myself.
June 4, 2025 at 1:12 PM
He had a good and - thankfully - long life. I must reread him! He also opened my mind to things in Proust that I really should have spotted myself.
These were the mayoral announcements. National announcements are made next week, and Wales will be included.
June 4, 2025 at 9:45 AM
These were the mayoral announcements. National announcements are made next week, and Wales will be included.
Is he hoping for a "Trump effect"? I imagine that may harm as much as benefit him.
June 3, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Is he hoping for a "Trump effect"? I imagine that may harm as much as benefit him.
THere are surely lots of voters for whom migration is a number three issue (after economy and NHS). It's possible that many will say yes Labour did do something on migration, which may be enough to get their support. Many Reform voters don't trust Reform, so some could be won back over time IMHO.
May 12, 2025 at 1:53 PM
THere are surely lots of voters for whom migration is a number three issue (after economy and NHS). It's possible that many will say yes Labour did do something on migration, which may be enough to get their support. Many Reform voters don't trust Reform, so some could be won back over time IMHO.
They had one of the largest tax increases in living memory to pay for public services - paid for by businesses. Nothing Thatcherite about that at all.
May 4, 2025 at 4:18 PM
They had one of the largest tax increases in living memory to pay for public services - paid for by businesses. Nothing Thatcherite about that at all.