Tall

I am very wary of reports that the UK is now within range of Iranian ballistic missiles. But if the reports are true, let’s be in no doubt: the UK has no defences against such missiles. No dedicated national ballistic missile defence (BMD) system for intercepting intermediate- or intercontinental-range threats aimed at the homeland. No ground-based interceptors (like US THAAD or Patriot systems in Europe) deployed in Britain for this purpose. In theory our T-45 warships could provide some cover. But most are currently undeployable or not in UK waters. Leaving us defenceless from ballistic missile attack. Another massive military failure of the political class of all recent governments.

Like so many ministers in the Starmer government (maybe most) this minister — Steve Reed — has no idea what he’s talking about and is totally out of his depth. Which, when the matter is national security, is rather serious.

Trafalgar Square, London. Small Heath Park, Birmingham. Times Square, New York. Tremblay, France. Western countries should make sure that this act of domination doesn’t become normal. It’s a slippery slope to allow it to get this far.

“A revolution never brings prosperity to a nation, but benefits only a few shameless opportunists..."

Greta Thunberg has not shared a single Instagram post for the 36,500+ Iranian civilians massacred by the regime. She has posted about: Cuba Sudan Palestine Lebanon Iraq ICE But nothing about Iranians.

Freedom can also be lost little by little, by what the Fabians call the doctrine of gradualness. A little more taxation here, a little more government expenditure there, year after year until the people are no longer the masters of the state but its servants. There are always, it seems, good reasons advanced for the state to have more power. But rarely for the state to divest itself of power. Each new problem becomes an excuse for more government intervention and less individual responsibility.

Freedom can also be lost little by little, by what the Fabians call the doctrine of gradualness. A little more taxation here, a little more government expenditure there, year after year until the people are no longer the masters of the state but its servants. There are always, it seems, good reasons advanced for the state to have more power. But rarely for the state to divest itself of power. Each new problem becomes an excuse for more government intervention and less individual responsibility.