Tony C

If the rumours are correct and Ed Miliband is indeed Foreign Secretary it will be most nauseating political appointment of my lifetime. In the summer of 2013, evidence emerged that Bashar al-Assad had used chemical weapons against his own people – crossing what US President Barack Obama had set down as his ‘red line’. David Cameron sought parliamentary approval for Britain to join limited military action alongside the United States in defence of what he called the longstanding ‘international taboo’ against the use of chemical weapons. Miliband chose instead to whip Labour MPs against the Government – and the motion failed. Not only was it a day of shame for Britain, it had global impact. Obama feared a repeat in Congress and so backed away. Assad was thus sent a clear signal: butcher your own people with chemical weapons and the West will look the other way. It also sent a signal to Putin that the West was weak, and he soon after invaded Crimea. Miliband’s decision to do all he could to block action against Assad is one of the most disgraceful acts of any British politician in living memory. I hope with all my will that Miliband is nowhere near the FCDO.

Today’s energy tax cut will give families some breathing room on bills, and provide some reassurance this winter. This will be funded from the cancelled Digital ID scheme this year, helping to bring down inflation while supporting households in every postcode.

🚨 BREAKING: Andy Burnham pledges to the British people that his Government will be "better" "I want to be honest with you: we have not been good enough. We need to be better. We will be"