A dramatic change of tune.

 The Jewish foreign secretary Ed Miliband, said in the - House of Commons on Tuesday that - the British government was - changing its tune - regarding its policy on Israel. For too long we have remained silent when it comes to the - illegal settlements on the West Bank. For too long successive governments have been - supine in not addressing this untenable issue. I have as they say - a dog in this fight. I volunteered for the Six Day war back in 1967 - when the West Bank was taken by Israeli soldiers. Since that date some 750,000 illegal Jewish settlers have taken over the land, belonging to the Arab indigenous peoples. We have as the foreign secretary said yesterday “turned a blind eye for too long”. How could the very idea of a 2 state solution, have any credibility, while simultaneously allowing for more and more settlements? It was pure hypocrisy. The fear the Jewish people here - would be exposed to antisemitism, isn’t a sufficient argument for - doing what is morally right. Moreover the International Criminal Court, said that these settlements were illegal. So the legal case for the settlements is zero. The British government has - accused the government of Israel of “ethnic cleansing”. Some other 11 countries have made the same decision - including France and Canada. 

Persona non grata.

 The King has asked the Lord Chamberlain, to issue an unambiguous statement regarding the status of Harry and Meghan. It’s quite explicit they - do not under any circumstances represent the monarchy. The statement was made in order to avoid any confusion when they return to England in the next few weeks. On the - one hand this must be a big disappointment for Harry as he is finally cut adrift from his royal status, but on the other it must also be a reassurance for William and Kate - that the situation has been clarified. No doubt - the King and William, discussed this issue at some length. The ‘firm’ as Diana called it - always takes precedence, no matter what the circumstances are. Harry and Meghan are definitely now persona non grata. 

Ed Balls on ITV.

 I don’t generally watch Good Morning Britain on ITV to see the - one time politician Ed Balls, but I did to day - so you don’t have to. He has gone almost completely grey and now has a - small chin beard.  Now 59 he is at the beginning of his - mid life crisis and looks it. I listen to his political podcast with one time chancellor George Osbourne - Political Currency  - which I greatly enjoy. Susanna Reid is his co presenter on ITV’s Good Morning Britain. I don’t think I will become a regular viewer. 

Small boats protests.

 We saw more demonstrations last night about the ongoing crisis regarding - small boats crossing the English Channel. This time Portsmouth and at the weekend it was the Port of Dover. The government are on the - back foot and in disarray over this politically sensitive issue. The demonstrations have - touched a nerve that apparently no single government can solve. The Reform Party, understands this better than any other party. It could completely undermine Andy Burnham - ability to set out a coherent and positive future for the country.The sine qua non of any functioning government, is the protection of its - borders and successive governments have failed in this most basic of tasks. Unless they can get a - grip this will completely undermine its ability to govern properly. 

Will Germany - turn to the right today?

 There are local elections in Germany today and many political commentators suggest that - the right wing party (AfD) will win its first victory. They have a domestic policy that is particularly - hostile to mass immigration and especially from Muslim countries. They want greater restrictions on settlement in Germany. Many think if they are elected - then Germany will have crossed a Rubicon - and this could be the long awaited move to the right - that many think was a long time coming. Given the recent history of Germany and the advent of Hitler and the Nazi Party - there are consequently understandable anxieties. The leadership of the party has sort to reassure many - sceptical people that they are not Hitler - in disguise. We shall see. Can a - leopard change its spots? 

Reform implode.

 In an undercover sting by Channel 4 News - catching the Reform leader Nigel Farage, in a compromising position regarding - party funding. At their party conference in Birmingham, they are clearly rattled by this expose and are now on the back foot. Sleaze is increasingly associated with the brand of Reform and Nigel Farage, in particular according to pollsters. The polls rate them now in the low 20% and they need to be well above that - to have any chance of forming the next government - which is increasingly unlikely. Moreover the Conservatives are getting their - mojo back under a more impressive Kemi Badenoch. Politics is a - blood sport and doesn’t support a losing party - so time is rapidly running out for the Reform Party. In addition the Labour Party is under new - management with Andy Burnham and he is in a different league to the awful communicator Keir Starmer. Are we witnessing the slow death by a - thousand cuts - to Reform and Nigel Farage? 

The Triple Lock state pension.

 The annual pension bill according to the OBR is almost £170 billion. It’s bankrupting the country and as a pensioner - it’s time this largesse was ended as we cannot afford it. Moreover as more and more people join the scheme - than leave it each year it’s a - growing sum to the exchequer. We are now in the absurd position - where we don’t have enough money to increase defence spending as it’s all going to - old age pensions. So we cannot defend the very same pensioners from attack, as they have all the money. How have we arrived at this absurd situation? Time to end the - triple lock.