Tim Dowse
@timdowse.bsky.social
Consultant, after 40 years with FCO, Cabinet Office, HM Treasury. Specialties: national security, defence, geopolitical analysis.
Oh sure. But I’m sceptical they will, It’s a long time until the next general election, and they keep espousing policies that surveys consistently show are unpopular with most people.
I thought this piece from a recent Private Eye makes the point rather well.
I thought this piece from a recent Private Eye makes the point rather well.
October 31, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Oh sure. But I’m sceptical they will, It’s a long time until the next general election, and they keep espousing policies that surveys consistently show are unpopular with most people.
I thought this piece from a recent Private Eye makes the point rather well.
I thought this piece from a recent Private Eye makes the point rather well.
If there is one thing that I feel increasingly grateful for every day, it is that we do not have a politically-appointed judiciary in the UK.
September 21, 2025 at 4:54 PM
If there is one thing that I feel increasingly grateful for every day, it is that we do not have a politically-appointed judiciary in the UK.
A little light reading to look forward to for the weekend.
September 10, 2025 at 4:34 PM
A little light reading to look forward to for the weekend.
Looking at the reported tracks of the drones, this seems a reasonable assessment: looks as if Russia was trying to evade eastern-facing Ukrainian air defences around Lviv etc. So not an attack on Poland. But not accidental either - and a clear violation of Polish airspace.
September 10, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Looking at the reported tracks of the drones, this seems a reasonable assessment: looks as if Russia was trying to evade eastern-facing Ukrainian air defences around Lviv etc. So not an attack on Poland. But not accidental either - and a clear violation of Polish airspace.
I think this is the usual recommendation. But there seems to be increasing competition, if my local Waterstones is any guide.
August 28, 2025 at 8:57 AM
I think this is the usual recommendation. But there seems to be increasing competition, if my local Waterstones is any guide.
Meanwhile, Politico focuses on the really key issue...
August 18, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Meanwhile, Politico focuses on the really key issue...
Rather worrying, given that almost every 1950s sci-fi B-movie features some horror that has mutated after exposure to radiation. What if it grows legs?
August 13, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Rather worrying, given that almost every 1950s sci-fi B-movie features some horror that has mutated after exposure to radiation. What if it grows legs?
From today's Guardian - could there be a more 1960s picture? Sadly, Adam Adamant no longer lives: RIP Gerald Harper.
July 5, 2025 at 2:19 PM
From today's Guardian - could there be a more 1960s picture? Sadly, Adam Adamant no longer lives: RIP Gerald Harper.
Hmm. Big Daddy is watching you.
June 27, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Hmm. Big Daddy is watching you.
OK, just when I'd repaired my irony-meter, they do it again. Russian Foreign Ministry statement.
June 22, 2025 at 8:14 PM
OK, just when I'd repaired my irony-meter, they do it again. Russian Foreign Ministry statement.
Is this the whole picture? I thought polls had consistently shown that, while there is little public backing for generic “foreign aid” writ large, people are usually happy to support assistance for specific purposes: hunger in Sudan; clean water in Malawi etc.
ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard...
ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard...
June 20, 2025 at 6:49 AM
Is this the whole picture? I thought polls had consistently shown that, while there is little public backing for generic “foreign aid” writ large, people are usually happy to support assistance for specific purposes: hunger in Sudan; clean water in Malawi etc.
ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard...
ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard...
Always a challenge to catch Emmetts Garden bluebells at their peak. Think we succeeded this year. @nationaltrust.org.uk
April 25, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Always a challenge to catch Emmetts Garden bluebells at their peak. Think we succeeded this year. @nationaltrust.org.uk
Sadly, this warning did not get an accompanying graphic.
March 23, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Sadly, this warning did not get an accompanying graphic.
Some are nearly cartoon strips...
March 23, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Some are nearly cartoon strips...
I have a small collection of the mishaps that befall this unfortunate stick person...
March 23, 2025 at 10:25 AM
I have a small collection of the mishaps that befall this unfortunate stick person...
While it is obviously not as detailed as others that focus on the front lines, I like this map because it makes clear how little territory Russia has captured in Ukraine after three years and huge losses of men and materiel. The idea that it could subdue the entire country militarily is a fantasy.
March 22, 2025 at 11:15 PM
While it is obviously not as detailed as others that focus on the front lines, I like this map because it makes clear how little territory Russia has captured in Ukraine after three years and huge losses of men and materiel. The idea that it could subdue the entire country militarily is a fantasy.
I particularly like her comments on the importance of interpreters. I’ve always remembered hearing the late Tony Bishop talk of his experiences interpreting for HMG with Russian leaders from Brezhnev to Putin (photo attached). An amazing career, with personal insights that are simply irreplaceable.
March 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM
I particularly like her comments on the importance of interpreters. I’ve always remembered hearing the late Tony Bishop talk of his experiences interpreting for HMG with Russian leaders from Brezhnev to Putin (photo attached). An amazing career, with personal insights that are simply irreplaceable.
I used to think that aspects of President Trump’s policies were uncomfortably reminiscent of “1984”. Now I wonder if he’s read “America City”: a populist US President ends up going to war with Canada. [Spoiler alert: it doesn’t end well for Canada - but nor does it for him.]
March 11, 2025 at 6:21 PM
I used to think that aspects of President Trump’s policies were uncomfortably reminiscent of “1984”. Now I wonder if he’s read “America City”: a populist US President ends up going to war with Canada. [Spoiler alert: it doesn’t end well for Canada - but nor does it for him.]
A bit late, but here's one on a little-considered aspect.
March 9, 2025 at 4:09 PM
A bit late, but here's one on a little-considered aspect.
Great sunset in SE London today - the first day of spring and it felt like it!
March 1, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Great sunset in SE London today - the first day of spring and it felt like it!
