Given the EU’s risk levels, its lack of investment in NATO and its poor relations with its neighbours, it is hardly an attractive partner; more of a liability.
Three cheers for three reforms: of the civil service, of Ministers and of one that this Government tends to avoid – of public services.
There is a Russian bear sitting behind the desk of the Kremlin; we must not let its cubs play in our midst.
Furthermore, the change creates a brand new cart to put before the horse – that’s to say, the awaited defence and security review.
At the heart of the Rutnam row is its reservations not only about how the post-Brexit journey is being negotiated, but about taking it in the first place.
For the first time in decades the levers of British influence – defence, diplomacy, aid and trade – could sit alongside domestic efforts in education and infrastructure.
The scale of his domestic ambitions and the legacy of the Iraq War suggest that his ambitions will be limited – for the moment at least.
In 2017, 51 MPs were returned with majorities of less than a thousand. That’s 51 results potentially determined by an extra hour on the doorstep,
The visit has the potential to be an electoral gift to an increasingly desperate Labour Party. For Downing Street, a successful trip by the President will be one that causes as few political headlines as possible.
No enemy will contemplate war with a NATO country because its motto ‘One for all, and all for one’ ensures there is peace today, the PM says as he opens the alliance summit.
Trump, Erdogan and Macron all pose difficulties for the alliance. Corbyn in Downing Street would pose deeper and more dangerous ones.
Understandably, attention is concentrated on the London Bridge attack aftermath. But we must focus laser-like on all the essential issues.
Our leading role in the Alliance is one of the UK’s biggest assets as we start to re-establish an independent foreign policy.
“The plain fact it is adapting…the last time we had a military strategy was in 1967, and this year we will have a new one.”
Britain is said to be keen to build such a coalition to include the existing G7 members, alongside India, South Korea and Australia.