Continuation of AR housing thread

[TheNuthatch]

Continuation of the Angela from housing thread. For those who want to moan about the government and share thoughts and articles.

PM 'fundamentally disagrees with any suggestion that we go it alone without the US'

What does that mean? He only just learnt the meeting is happening?

PM - the mineral deal is not enough on its own as a security backstop.

Perhaps he's pretending that it isn't happening.

Good that Priti Patel has come out and backed the government whilst calling Farage out for the slimy stooge he is.

Trump about to make an investment announcement in 15mins. Buckle in.

Trump has paused funding to the Ukraine.

And a weapons freeze too, including those currently in transit to Ukraine.

Starmer is not the 'bridge' as spun, he didn't know even in the Commons on the same day.

You were spot on yesterday @Upstartled
What a headline to wake up to.

Very little is being made of it but it doesn't bode well that Starmer clearly isn't in the loop.

I was listening to a reporter this morning, a few hours ago now so the details may be a little hazy, but apparently Biden had tried to get ahead of Trump by shipping almost six months worth of weaponry to Ukraine and that is the haul Trump has put on hold.

That isn't something that Europe can just fill the gap with strong words and bear hugs. What was the plan if, as has come to pass, America couldn't be strongarmed into compliance?

Mandelson is probably closer to getting it than Starmer, hence his advice.

In the end the gov distanced itself from that the next day via Pollard.

Z keeps saying he'll sign, then a few weeks to doing that. What is he holding out for? Three weeks is thousands more dying but then sign?

I have a feeling Starmer has got it wrong and has been saying we'll get security just wait.

Maybe he was holding out for the boats to come in?

I think if US can't be convinced by our press conferences, which they don't need to be then the deal is signed

Russia may sign

Without security apparently no troops go in, although Pollard was evasive as per MP level rhetoric when asked three times

I do find it concerning Trump said why on Earth did Europe give away they were weak by asking for us there. He may really think Europe should and can do it without him.

I don't think any of the other leaders will do that.

I don't know what more Trump needs to do or say that would convince European leaders that he's out of Ukraine. He ran on that promise and has stuck to it.
Not only that, he's actively weakening Ukraine's hand before they even get to a negotiation.

Starmer really wants this 'boots on the ground' moment for optics and political capital but what is it really?

A few thousand as a placeholder who can only go if US back up is in place.

No one wants to send combat troops, ie the quantity required in the event of fighting, why would US say yes to that?

But he has been clear that 'boots on the ground' will only be provided as a peace keeping operation and with an American backstop.

The pre-condition of American collaboration has remained front and centre. Which is of course, all we can offer with a withered and impoverished army and an economy that has been, as completely as is possible, de-industrialised.

Is boots on the ground good optics? I don't want that, nor know anyone who does.

Also I have been horrified at the link made by Starmer about economic boost to UK and selling/ making weapons. I get it may be true..but building our economy on the back of it, is not something I would be proud of.

I think there will be less room for moral squeemishness if we are to cover our own arse from here-on-in. I suspect Milliband is rocking somewhere, you cant mass manufacture weapons without cracking some net zero eggs.

Everything is so performative.

The way the whole crisis is treated is like a big show. There is a place a time fie transparency in diplomacy, but mostly it’s done behind closed doors.

The last few days have been an unmitigated disaster that’s been playing out for all to see.

I just don’t understand it.

My money in this would be on Mandelson, not Starmer. Starmer started well, but he was overtaken by events. He’s trying to patch things up
bur maybe it’s time for a new strategy.

Performative exactly.

Starmer doesn't have the understanding nor information.

His answer in the Commons yesterday shows how out he is.

All this flag waving leader summit stuff is for domestic show.

Unfortunately 'boots on the ground' does provide political capital. Starmer will see a poll boost no doubt.

Agree re Mandelson. I loathe him but he's definitely a snake charmer which is exactly whats needed for Trump.

We need to listen to Starmer's wording around the backstop very carefully from now on. I notice Turkey were at the meeting on Sunday. They have a huge army, and I believe they have offered help. Maybe Turkey are the plan B?

All this flag waving leader summit stuff is for domestic show.

Never let a good crisis go to waste.

They all are.

Trump, Vance, Zelensky. Macron.

it’s like a giant stage with the drama playing out in plain sight.

We know the cost of that. The Kurdish territories. Will Putin play along?

Bluntly who wants to pick up the deaths if combat troops are actually required? That is what security or the 'back stop' euphemism means.

US at least is saying no clearly, you lot do it. Why should they exactly?

We won't I assume. No other European leader will.

Starmer wants a poll bounce still hence all the press.

Why are these minimal non combative troops needed?

US get the deal, they act if Russia make a move. No need to promise anything.