The main conclusion to come out of the Summit was the new target of 55% carbon dioxide reduction compared to 1990 levels by 2030. This was reached despite opposition from Poland, seeking to defend its coal industry.
This is tough target for the EU, as the EU remains more dependent on coal for direct and for electrical power than the UK, and cruelly dependent on imported Russian gas. Germany also has a much bigger reliance on carbon fuel related engineered products than the UK, and these are now more at risk. The reliance on Russian gas is a strategic vulnerability as well as a carbon infringement of their green aspirations. I will be looking again at what the new range of carbon reduction targets will mean for western economies and societies in future posts. What is clear from the EU’s attempted rapprochement with Joe Biden’s USA is they plan a strong green tie across the Atlantic. The EU has a long way to go to get to its new targets, and has various interests unhappy about the direction.
The top down green revolution will now be pressed heavily from both the USA and the EU, assuming the US courts do not change their mind about the Presidential election. Everything the EU says and does is driven by the overriding priority of cutting emissions, and their whole offer to the member states is they will lead Build Back better as top down green growth. They will be looking at a carbon border tax, beefed up emissions trading taxes and a raft of regulations, taxes and subsidies to tilt the playing field in various sectors towards the green alternative.
The Summit also considered the developing conflict between the EU and Turkey. The EU complained about the aggressive language of Mr Erdogan particularly about President Macron. The EU seeks to restrain Turkish offshore drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean and use of warships to protect their activities. Meanwhile Turkey has a lever over the EU, as Turkey is housing 3.6 million Syrian refugees, with financial help from the EU who would prefer the people to stay in Turkey.
December 12, 2020
The governments of the EU and UK are intent on bankrupting there economies on the back of pseudo science which will not be followed by the rest of the world.
It will be another reason why the likes of Poland will leave the EU.
This is one of the reasons why Brussels wants these called dynamic alignment with Britain so they can bankrupt us to the advantage of France and Germany.
No thanks.
December 12, 2020
Dominic Raab’s article in the Guardian demonstrates that if the British people want to stop the green lunacy, the first step is not Brexit but getting rid of the Tories and replacing them with something other than Labour.
Sir John, is the broad policy outline Raab articulates one you can live with?
December 12, 2020
UK announced, or Princess Nut nuts, 68% reduction! Utter lunacy from Johnson and co. How will this be afforded? China builds 300 coal fired power stations, Germany builds 28. Nothing this country does will make a jot of difference to world emissions! Jobs and businesses passed to countries around the world while commerce and people suffer Johnson’s unscientific lunacy.
Johnson publicly stated, many times, no PM would sign up to the terms he signed up to in the WA and NIP. N.Ireland is in single market and customs union and all companies trading there! ECJ applying and vast sums of billions going to the EU amounts and timing of its choosing. Both have been reaffirmed his week by Gove for the U.K. to be in vassalage forever! He should resign or be ousted.
December 12, 2020
Totally agree but who else is there when the party calling themselves Conservative (anything but) and the Labour Party have got the voting system stitched up between them?
December 12, 2020
Indeed Jools; we keep hearing of new patriotic parties but they never seem to come to fruition. We don’t need a gaggle of them to dilute the vote; just one party of true patriots.
December 12, 2020
JoolsB and DavidJ
There is certainly a need for a single alternative to emerge given FPTP (which, on balance, is no better nor worse than PR). I think the chances of such an alternative emerging hinge on the splintering of the Tory party. Shorn of its more sensible MPs, its true nature as a centrist, establishment party would be far clearer. And these MPs may, in turn bolster, or even catalyse, the alternative. But for as long as the Tory party persist, they will be the one and only ‘alternative’ to Labour, and the centrist establishment’s preeminence will be assured.
It is important to appreciate that an alternative government will not happen overnight. Establishing credibility will take some time – though a sharp fall in the credibility of the established parties may shorten the timescale. But the sooner decisive action is taken, the sooner hopes of a real change can be realised.
December 13, 2020
@ Simeon – you have been trying that strategy for decades and it hasn’t worked. UKIP was essentially a protest party that occupied space in the EP and did not work to the UKs best interests while there.
Every GE UKIP/TBP/Reform etc etc pop up claiming they will be better while anyone paying attention hear “we must destroy the Tory’s”. So your strategy is destroy the only somewhat non-socialist option and force people to vote for some new unknowns. This smacks of the same arrogance people want to get away from so good luck with that.
You need to establish credibility of government that benefits people and encourages them to vote for you, not force them because you think they are stupid sheep. That takes time and you need to start small.
December 13, 2020
The marjority of us here are totally fed up of the two faced Established and how they have betrayed their people.
There is only one action available to old Tory Back Benchers and the decent people who have supported the Tory party.
It is no longer The Party , it will never change
The only party is that of Farage and his team, only if y ou feel that you need honesty of people you can trust
December 12, 2020
Will U.K. Advocate Germany pays 2% for NATO especially as Germany gets 52% of its gas from Russia! Why are we paying to keep Germany and EU safe? Are there EU customs officials along land borders?
December 12, 2020
The dependence of Germany on Russian gas is not compatible with the EU target.
However, if the gas consumption is classed as Russian not Germany’s it shows how corrupt the figures are and how Germany is not allowing the destruction of its industry or jobs for such stupidity. It is also building 28?coal fired power stations, they will not be closed by then. They would not build the hem if they were to be closed down!
If only the U.K. Had a govt putting the nation and its population first. Fake Tory party need not apply.
Good article by Delbgpole highlighting how BBC lied in its Panorama programme on climate change and failed to maintain its charter obligations, again. All points dismantled by fact rather than uninformed Fake BBC opinion.
December 12, 2020
At Christmas as we begin to order and buy our food think British. Look at the labels.
Buy British beef, British fish, British ham, British cheeese, British or Australian wine, British salad food. Nothing from R o Ireland.
Wherever possible buy British or mainly British products that might help directly or indirectly British business to stay open.
This means Govt procurement as well. It also means open up the country to recover from Govt stupidity. Put the thousands of volunteers to work for NHS i.e. Cleaning, preparing food, painting, auxiliary duties to wash patients etc. what on earth has Hancock and the useless Stevens done to prepare the NHS for winter from the volunteers! Get on with it. Stop talking and act.
We need to support British industry and farming.
December 12, 2020
+1 but with fist past the post it is not easy. The sound Tory wing need to capture the party back.
December 12, 2020
The sound Tory wing you speak of is barely a rump. There is no roadmap for such a tiny minority to seize control. As I say above, a long term approach is needed, and it shouldn’t even be a difficult choice, because there is absolutely nothing to be gained in the short term, never mind the medium or long term by clinging to the Conservatives. They are just as green, just as ‘nannying’ (if that’s not a gross understatement), and just as economically dangerous as Labour. The argument that they are the lesser of two evils no longer holds.
December 12, 2020
Poland is far more likely to be pushed than to jump, and as things are would not be missed.
It is only there as a result of Thatcher’s pushing, with the intention of making problems for the project, like Hungary.
But perhaps John laments the fact that the UK no longer has its former enormous influence in the European Union, and can now only watch momentous events at the summit as an irrelevant spectator?
Incidentally, it is reassuring to see the integrity of the US legal profession – notwithstanding their political appointment – in defending the Will Of The People.
The US supreme court has unanimously rejected a baseless lawsuit filed by Texas seeking to overturn the presidential election result, dealing the biggest blow yet to Donald Trumpās assault on democracy.
In a brief, one page order, all nine justices on Americaās highest court dismissed the longshot effort to throw out the vote counts in four states that the president lost: Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Unanimously, note.
December 12, 2020
” the fact that the UK no longer has its former enormous influence in the European Union ”
You are always there for a really good laugh when I need one Martin! Oh my dear ( and you think we are deluded ) this is the funniest thing you’ve trotted out for ages !
“Enormous”, “Influence”, “European Union” – I mean He-He!
Thank You & Merry Christmas Martin š
December 12, 2020
UK had no influence in EU nor is there any alleged top table. A myth like EU stops wars when Germany fails to’pay its “commitments” it demands of us!
December 12, 2020
MiC
…”can now only watch momentous events at the summit as an irrelevant spectator?”
============
Oh I dunno, at least we can enjoy a ringside seat.
It’ll be Germany & France, or France & Turkey. Or maybe Putin will cut the gas off.
Enjoy !
December 12, 2020
that’ll certainly be a gas!
December 12, 2020
@ mic Have you even read the SCOTUS statement?
āTexas has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections,ā the court wrote in its unsigned order.”
They are not saying the claims are true or false, they are refusing to hear it because they don’t believe the Texas AG has a “judicially cognizable interest” in the machinations of another state.
With some of the clear evidence presented todate if you think it ends there then you are naive and more than stupid if you think lefties closing off all legal recourse is a good idea. Most reasonable people would be very worried about how this will develop.
December 12, 2020
Your third paragraph needs a further analysis. The UK was the second largest NET contributor to the EU budget, nearly double of France despite similar sized economies.
Now, following UK’s departure, Germany’s contribution will be nearly half of the total EU’s budget. So who do you think calls the shots in the EU?
The UK membership was what stopped Germany taking control of the EU and therefore continental Europe.
We will see the evidence of this when Mrs Merkel decides what the EU’s arrangement with the UK will be.
Farewell Free Europe.
December 12, 2020
Yes, they’ve just lost a fifth of their income and someone will have to make up that shortfall. I’m guessing it won’t be Greece.
December 12, 2020
@Peter Wood: Wrong figures, please mention your source.
For instance: the UK net contribution (2018) was much lower then 2x Franceās net contribution and the German budget contribution is far lower than half, which one can easily verify by comparing the GDPs of which the contributions are about 1%
So your conclusions don’t stand either.
December 12, 2020
Goodness we paid more than half of France’s contribution just to be insulted by them? Can you see why we’re leaving?
December 12, 2020
Nearly twice France’s … wow.
December 12, 2020
āUK nearly double of Franceā: net contribution 2018, UK ā¬9,770m, France ā¬7,442m (www.statista.com).
The UK was obviously paying more than France, but based on your comment I would never do any business with you.
December 12, 2020
So only Ā£2328m. I never paid that to be insulted.
December 12, 2020
Hefner, And if you believe the UK’s net contribution was only ā¬9,770m, I wouldn’t do business with you either.
The gross contribution of Ā£20bn (2018) is a liability we cannot escape (except by leaving – and not even then). After the Thatcher rebate (which the EU wants to eliminate), we actually transferred Ā£15.5bn (ONS, 2018).
I do not count the money (our money!) that the EU spends here as a benefit to us – it is quite obviously spent by the EU to further the EU’s aims and power, not ours. We would spend the money differently.
December 12, 2020
I stand corrected on net contributions. However, UK paid 30% more than France in 2018, despite very similar sized economies based on GDP. How is that?
Would you like to pay 30% more than a Frenchman for the same club membership?
December 14, 2020
Peter Wood
“The UK membership was what stopped Germany taking control of the EU and therefore continental Europe.”
Oh really? How then do you explain the fact that it was Germany that backed the UK applications to join the union after De Gaulle repeatedly said ‘Non’ which prevailed for years?
You’re making things up although I should imagine Germany now regret having put themselves out to help us at a time when we were desperate and known as the ‘sick man of Europe’.
How quickly people forget that it was EU membership that turned us from decline into success. Sold out now to become a US client state.
December 12, 2020
(Sir John sorry for writing on MiC’s point not yours)The
The SCOTUS decision is interesting as it was not on the substantive issues, it was that Texas didn’t have standing. It feels a bit like SCOTUS not wanting to get involved yet. For me the question is whether this is to protect the Constitution at a later date (away from the short term consequences), or whether the role of the Constitution in the USA has now come under ‘successful’ attack – just ignore it (and also those at state level). This is in a context in which that late 18th Century period of USA history has come under attack from the 1619 ‘side’. Irrespective of whether there was fraud or not, the election was neither free nor fair (media and big tech behaviour in USA), this combined with the apparent devaluing of the Constitution(s) could put the USA in a very unstable position.
When I heard the USA election results, I was initially concerned for the future loss of inner city and minority progress made under Trump, I was worried about the slowing of M.E. peace as some countries pull back from joining the relationship normalisation process with Israel (as Biden is expected to turn towards Iran appeasement). Now though I am more worried about the stability of the USA and importantly whether anyone/group/country is behind this. I used to think these were conspiracy theories, but I am no longer convinced. I think this directly effects UK security and foreign policy. If I were an MP, I would be asking Dominic Raab (title too long) whether the UK Govt thought the USA elections were free and fair, and whether they could have been influenced.
December 12, 2020
‘…all nine justices on Americaās highest court’ All appointed on a political basis – very disinterested bunch to be sure.
December 12, 2020
Rather like Blairās supreme court and spider woman.
December 12, 2020
Application was dismissed on a legal technicality.
They declined to get involved?
No judgement on the facts that i can see?
December 12, 2020
Hardly a technicality.
Texas had no Cause Of Action.
Why should eminent people waste their extremely valuable time?
December 13, 2020
No cause of action “said the court”
That itself is debatable as 3 of the judges intimated.
It is highly political and the court declined to opine on the facts.
A determination of the facts,relating to the alleged fraud and sworn depositions would have been useful. The quicker the better.
It seem you are not interested in ensuring that beyond doubt a fair election outcome. Which reflect legal votes cast or more broadly real people making individual choices.
This will run and run until it is heard properly. The US will resolve this, be sure of that.
This may result in the US becoming internally occupied. Some may say for better or worse.
Who benefits?
The UK needs to start reaching back out to its old and older friends in the rest of the world.
First with trade alliances.
The EU needs to resolve its own contradictions. It cannot be trusted nor can its courts.
December 12, 2020
“Poland is far more likely to be pushed than to jump, and as things are would not be missed”
But it would be missed, by Germany, the EU’s paymaster, who would suddenly find themselves on the frontline border of the EU with a semi-friendly state between them and their energy supplying bogeyman…
I think Germany would be most reluctant to have no malleable satellite state between them and the Russians…
December 12, 2020
@Martin,
It’s 100% nonsensical to push for the EU over Sovereignty. At least if you believe in Patriotism as a virtue (It’s both a Graeco-Roman and Judeo/Christian virtue). Lack of Patriotism is a modern Heresy that crept into our world in a big way about the last 200 years or so.
What isn’t nonsensical is to argue HOW we get there. For the ends don’t justify the means. And if you use the wrong means, you could end up screwing up the ends.
Also, Empire doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. We had The British Empire. The Roman Empire (good and bad). And The Empire of Cyrus the Great (generally a great Empire) in which the Babylonians pleaded for Cyrus to save them from their own inept / corrupt leaders.
But by default, all countries should be aiming for Sovereignty.
(But we can and SHOULD have good and healthy relations with Europe – in Trade, Culture and Security – outside The EU / Single Market).
December 12, 2020
Thatās one way of looking at it. Wrong, if there we are.
December 12, 2020
Indeed I am with the excellent Prof William Happer and Patrick Moore on this. We are living in a Carbon Drought historically. There is almost certainly no climate armageddon round the corner. Slightly warmer is a good thing, not bad on balance as is slightly more CO2. Anyway the solutions they propose do not really work even in CO2 terms alone.
People who cannot predict the climate for next month should stop pretending they can control the worlds temperature for 100 years time just through atmospheric CO2 levels.
How could they? They do not even know what the suns activity will be for 100 years, the world population, when fusions energy will become economic, volcanic activity, genetic variation in plants, what crops we will grow, other new technology ……. Even if they did chaotic weather systems are not predictable for long. It is a chaotic system with millions of influences.
December 12, 2020
Poland will stick with the EU all the time it gets more out than it puts in.
They may grumble, but they will put up with it.
December 12, 2020
those that won’t put up with it came here. Just like those wonderful pilots all those years ago.
December 12, 2020
The Green Blob; all based on manipulated and flawed “data” by a so-called scientist with an agenda: Michael E. Mann. A book by A.W. Montford explains it all: “The Hockey Stick Illusion”.
Of course the UN, governments and others seized on it to promote the Great Global Warming scam; designed primarily to exert ever more control over our lives as part of the New World Order.
Ignore the threat at our peril.
December 12, 2020
Of course the courts wonāt change their minds about the US presidential election. So it is a good moment to realise that just as the brexiteersā strongly supported Trump era comes to an end, Farageās aim to break up the EU has failed. The imperfect euro didnāt break up. The imperfect EU moves on. All the prophecies of its demise have proven false.
December 12, 2020
Yes, that was clearly Farage’s paramount aim, at whatever cost to the UK, on behalf of the rich right wing Americans, whom I think that he and most other prominent leavers serve.
He has admitted as much.
Thank you Peter.
December 12, 2020
Martin, The EU’s predecessor was bankrolled by the Americans. You are inverting reality, as usual.
December 12, 2020
True. The Brexit gamble has failed. No help coming from the White House (rather the reverse), and the EU is strengthened by Brexit, because no other country will ever follow. And the UK itself will soon get smaller as Scotland leaves, and NI is already separate thanks to Boris’s deal. Every promise broken, every claim falsified. Some contrition from the Brexiters would be nice but too much to hope for
December 12, 2020
No, no, no.
We do not want contrition from the Brexiteers.
Contrition will reduce the length of their inevitable prison sentences.
We want to be able to throw the key away.
December 12, 2020
The Stalinist left show their true face yetcagain.
Most illuminating.
Off to the gulag with you.
December 13, 2020
Edward 2
Here we go again, so what is the difference between a Stalinist, a Leninist and a Marxist?
or are you going to toll out of this one as well?
December 13, 2020
There is no difference bill
None believe in democracy and individual freedom.
Which one do you like,?
December 12, 2020
I keep hoping for contrition from Remains, Andy – you know, the people who promised to abide by the outcome of the Referendum [but – fingers crossed – only if it went your way]. That is why Remains are so despised – you are pathetic spoilt brats. Even Lord Mandelson is beginning to see the light.
December 13, 2020
Yup.
The terrorists. The gangsters. The drug dealers. The child grooming gangs, the mind addled dope and drink addicts.. the religious fundamentalists…
Nope.
The #1 enemy in the UK is the white haired old people who drink tea and vote Brexit.
You are nuts. Totally nuts.
December 13, 2020
Andy, in order to remain a civilised country and also to imprison some of those who brought about Leave, it would be necessary to discover serious crimes committed by them which were offences at the time.
That is a principle which dates back to Magna Carta.
Since the High Court has ruled that it is not even Misconduct In Public Office to lie to the public, the scope for that would appear limited in England.
Retrospective criminal law is a hallmark of tyrannies, however.
December 14, 2020
The High Court didn’t rule that.
December 12, 2020
LG, if only any of your bog were fact. Remainer Traitor May to blame along with the likes of Hammond, Letwin, Gauke, Rudd, Cooper, Ben, Soubry, Clarke, Wollaston etc. The wall of shame will not be forgotten. Most booted out by the electorate.
December 12, 2020
Itās early days. Let us not forget the wise and visionary words of Le Macron who said he believed the French people would vote to leave – given the chance!
December 12, 2020
No, he didn’t say that.
He said that in the same context they could vote to leave.
The French voters will generally never find themselves in the position – context – of a typical English Leave voter.
That is, engulfed by right-wing, US-owned media, with very poor regulation and by so much more.
Polls across Europe show that approval ratings for the European Union have surged since 2016 for some reason anyway, and here too – it’s at around sixty percent.
December 12, 2020
You are making rubbish up again, as usual.
Even your revered BBC reported on 21-January-201;
“French President Emmanuel Macron says France would ‘probably’ have voted to leave the EU, if offered the choice in a referendum.“
December 14, 2020
dixie
This is what Macron actually said:”
Asked whether France would have returned the same result, he replied: āYes. Probably, in a similar context but our context was very different, so I donāt want to take any bets. I would have definitely fought very hard to win.
āBut I think it is a mistake to just ask yes or no when you donāt ask people how to improve the situation and to explain how to improve it.ā
Can’t remember our Brexiteers being asked to state how they might improve on EU membership or if there were aware what leaving actually meant for the country. Just a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ which as we now know was ‘won’ by a tiny minority.
December 12, 2020
Nor will they ever be given the choice…
It’s no coincidence that France’s most famous dog breed is the poodle.
December 12, 2020
Always ready to believe polls, eh, Martin? And never the actual vote.
December 12, 2020
Context is irrelevant Martin.
The French people will never be granted a vote on the issue..
You know why don’t you.
December 13, 2020
Well the French voted against the EU constitution by 55% to 45%. Then had it rammed down their throats renamed as the Lisbon treaty. The UK were not given a vote despite Cast Iron lies we would get one.
December 12, 2020
I don’t think Nigel’s aim was to break up the EU Peter – but just to get the UK out of it – and against all the odds he succeeded.
Of course, he wasn’t very popular in Brussels because he pointed out the obvious flaws in the EU’s structure and their ever growing ambition towards economic and political union by stealth. He believes that the EU (in it’s current form) cannot survive and many here agree with him.
So it’s not over yet by any means – in fact it’s only just beginning I suspect. Time will tell but the structural in-balances between North, South and East can only get worse. There are even tensions at the core as we shall see in the next few months as German and French interests conflict.
December 12, 2020
No, he declared expressly that the destruction of the European Union was his overriding ambition.
December 12, 2020
mic – Please provide clear proof of that statement, as far as I can find his reported overriding ambition was for the UK to leave the EU.
December 12, 2020
Well one step at a time then Martin
December 12, 2020
@IanT: Partly thanks to our net EU contribution, Poland’s economy is growing much faster than the Dutch or German economy. So imbalances may also decrease over time. We are not too far from mutualising European debt, which may diminish the current north-south imbalances over time. You might see it as transfers from the wealthier north to the south.
December 14, 2020
I’m afraid all we’ve seen thus far is the transfer of massive (unrepayable) debt from North to South Peter.
Will Greece’s debt be forgiven? If so what happens to the German and French Banks who are owed the money. Greece gets a line of credit – much of which is just used to pay interest on their existing loans.
Haven’t discussed it recently but my German friends used to be adamant that they were not going to fund Greek or Italian excesses (as they see them).
December 12, 2020
Please do not assume that being in favour of Brexit also means being in favour of Trump – I was horrified when he was adopted as a Republican Presidential candidate, and sincerely hope that he either rapidly fades into obscurity, or that his tax and business affairs are thoroughly investigated and revealed.
December 12, 2020
But the only other choices Hillary Clinton and sleepy Joe Biden were clearly even worse!
December 13, 2020
Lifelogic
I am actually not so sure the alternatives were or are worse
December 12, 2020
@SM: Point taken. There must be plenty of British who think like you.
December 12, 2020
Is he so different to EU leaders? Well, he does what he says for all to see and comment. Over in the EU they are a secretive, deceitful bunch of megalomaniacs. He has to work within a structure to promote his views, the EU merely elect their mates with no national votes involved. He calls people and policies out, they hide behind closed doors plotting what next fast one to pull over the people.
December 12, 2020
Yes all the Socialists. All those who hate the west and want to destroy us. They all think like that.
December 12, 2020
Fortunately not many, PvL. Trump was a breath of fresh air clearing out the NWO authoritarians.
December 13, 2020
I don’t see that the two are connected – we had the referendum when Obama was in power putting us at the back of the line.
President Trump was elected according to their legal processes and has stood up for their electorates interests. That is more than be said for the EU or our own politicians , with a few honourable exceptions, who are mostly supine except when they take the knee to all and sundry.
December 12, 2020
Trump for all his main faults was certainly right on energy, climate, the Paris Accord and CO2. Left wing lawyers in control of anything are almost always a disaster.
December 12, 2020
his many faults …
December 12, 2020
What are they?
December 12, 2020
Well for a start he is obviously rather too modest and self effacing.
December 12, 2020
Yes the NSA, CIA and the MIC allowed him to do that otherwise completely under their command. Trump said he would open the Kennedy assassination papers but was thwarted by them. Can’t have their involvement disclosed.
The real power of the federal government lies with the national-security establishment ā namely the Pentagon, the CIA, and the NSA. They permit the president, the Congress, and the Supreme Court to maintain the veneer of power. That veneer is unimportant to the Pentagon, the CIA, and the NSA. Whatās important to them is who holds the power, not who appears to hold the power.
December 12, 2020
@Lifelogic: we obviously hold opposite views about the climate issues.
December 12, 2020
Indeed, well I read maths, physics and electronics perhaps you are right but I do not think so. The alarmist computer models so far are clearly wrong. As Dick Feynman put it:-
If it disagrees with experiment, it is wrong. In that simple statement is the key to science. It does not make any difference how beautiful your guess is, it does not make any difference how smart you are, who made the guess, or what his name is ā if it disagrees with experiment, it is wrong.
December 13, 2020
@Lifelogic: I agree with the overriding value of experiment, having a science background myself. For me, the effect of greenhouse gases and disappearing artic ice on sunlight are science as well.
December 13, 2020
Have you looked into and studied the subject properly? Or just accepted the BBC, vested interests and governmentās 97% of scientists drivel. I am in this 97% as it happens climate changes and mankind clearly has some effect on this. The question is is this a catastrophic runaway problem or not? The answer is no.
December 12, 2020
And China!
December 12, 2020
Give it time Peter, my ambition is to see it implode before I die.I am in my seventies. so there is a bit of time yet
December 12, 2020
PvL, You make the mistake, like previous generations of Europeans, of blindly following a non-democratic dirigiste ideology. Such ideologies have usually claimed to be invincible and inevitable, and often, superficially, looked it. They have always failed. Why are the people of the north western fringes of the eurasian landmass so curiously prone to this error?
December 12, 2020
Full speed ahead with the Small Modular Reactor project. Let’s sell it to ’em!
December 12, 2020
RR. 230p per share Decā19, 125p on 11/12/2020, yeah full speed ahead.
December 12, 2020
Time to buy then Hugh.
December 12, 2020
+1
December 12, 2020
Cheerful soul, aren’t you?
December 12, 2020
possibly a roll over and surrender?
December 12, 2020
Hefner, RR shares plummeted because half their business disappeared when covid19 became a pandemic and global civil aviation was largely halted. It has nothing to do with SMRs.
December 13, 2020
NickC, Did I say such a thing?
December 13, 2020
Noe explicitly hef.
But in response to a post which wanted the small nuclear reactors project to go ahead at full speed your response was to give us Rolls Royce’s share price ending with “yeah right full speed ahead”
Even if you didn’t know what you were saying many others did.
December 12, 2020
Flank speed now, surely. Not only are we so far behind the rest in bringing a true SMR to the market (pitiful government support), but such is the ghastly vulnerabilty of our gas supply to hostile action that the project needs war-emergency priority.
December 12, 2020
Its a policy I fully endorse however
Either
Ā£100bn on SMRP with energy for a 100 years
or
Ā£100bn on cycle lanes that no one would use but Carrie likes
December 12, 2020
‘…….Carrie likes …the idea of’
December 12, 2020
I know our kind host doesnāt like posts about personalities so I thought Iād just let that ending drift…..or I just forgot to finish it off
December 12, 2020
I say keep it here. We have been too keen for too long to sell before we have a surplus or ‘give’ out of feelings of superiority.
December 12, 2020
I am sure that the usual EU worshippers – oops, sorry – commenters here will tell us that in the case of Turkey becoming really aggressive, all 27 EU countries will welcome the millions of Syrian refugees with open arms (especially France and Greece!).
December 12, 2020
That is clearly not the case. The EU pays Turkey to have the refugees because its governments do not want them.
This is an abject failure by most EU countries – and by the UK. Millions forced to flee by the most horrific conflict and we refuse to help them.
Shocking.
Merkel at least stood up for decency and helped last time around. And Germany has actually benefitted immensely as a result. She was right again.
Here we pandered to the xenophobic Faragists and did very little to help. So desperate not to offend the curtain twitchers of Berkshire we let desperate children drown instead. Actually, we should have helped the kids and sent the curtain twitchers to live in refugees camps in Turkey. How much better would our country be then?
December 12, 2020
You can always go and live in Turkey as you hate it so much here. You could be the first to use the new āone in, one outā immigration system. Iād be sorry to see you go, but, as you clearly hate this country, we should wish you well elsewhere. Bon voyage!
December 12, 2020
Merkel thought she was welcoming Syrian refugees Andy and ended up with a vast army of economic migrants from all over (Afghanistan, Pakistan, N Africa etc. ) and many Germans are deeply unhappy with the outcomes.
However pure her original motives were – it marked the point at which her popularity started to go steeply downhill.
December 14, 2020
IanT
” it (the Syrian refugee crisis) marked the point at which her popularity started to go steeply downhill.”
“Perceived as having demonstrated critical leadership and astute policy choices through the pandemic, a recent poll shows that the chancellor has broken her all-time high, with 86 percent of Germans being satisfied with her as the head of government. Given a tenure that has faced an almost constant stream of crises over the last fifteen years, solidifying her exceptional legacy through crisis leadership and a perception of high global esteem seems extremely fitting.”
===
American Institute for Contemporary German Studies
Aug 2020
Oh, and there is a strong movement to ask her to stand for a record 5th term. So far she has declined to do so.
December 14, 2020
That’s not what the German polls said at the time Margaret
December 12, 2020
Andy – you donāt even want houses for working class people built in your leafy middle-class part of the Home Counties, so where would all these economic migrants live ?
December 12, 2020
Refugees are not economic migrants. And I donāt mind if homes are built where I live. Sensible development is perfectly fine.
We need more homes. We also need to get elderly people out of their big houses and into more appropriate accommodation as they are the main block in the housing market. I know you like to blame Syrian kids for all our woes (when you are not blaming the EU) but most of our problems are caused by the elderly.
December 13, 2020
If they are refugees from Syria then the first safe place outside Syria is their correct haven.
Coming to the UK shows they are economic migrants.
December 12, 2020
Merkel did no such thing. She is responsible for mass migration. She did nothing to stop coup of a democratically elected Italian govt by EU bureaucrats. She is responsible for Greek destitution which her country financially benefitted from while their citizens starved and lost their homes.
Merkel is an utter menace and disgrace. Germany’s fanaticism to dominate and control Europe has not changed one jot in 70 years, only the method to achieve dominance has changed. About time the world woke up and stood up to this vile institution.
December 14, 2020
Hope
Yes, but at least they stuck to Europe and neighbouring countries.
But we wanted the world and had already acquired a quarter of it when the two world wars put a stop to it. No doubt there are as many people here who would love to get the empire back as there are Germans who long for a greater Germany.
So now both ambitions have been foiled with Germany confined within its own borders while we, because of the stupidity of Brexit are about to lose Scotland and Ireland and so will be reduced to a rump without much influence on world affairs.
December 14, 2020
Germany as such didn’t really exist until 1871 Margaret (Bismarck and all that!) and the British Empire was well established by that time – so they simply joined the ’empire’ race a bit later that’s all but they certainly ventured outside of “their own borders”
Who exactly were the bad guys that Humph & Kate battled in the ‘African Queen’? š
December 15, 2020
IanT
“Germany as such didn’t really exist…”
Ever heard of the Holy Roman Empire, also known as the German empire that existed for a thousand years from the 9th to the 19th century and covered most of Europe?
December 12, 2020
“Merkel at least stood up for decency and helped last time around. And Germany has actually benefitted immensely as a result. She was right again.”
I think the Germans are realising Mrs. Merkel made a big mistake. I copy from Wikipedia :
“Since Germany’s peak number asylum applicants in 2015 ā 890,000 ā the trend began to reverse. In 2018, only 185,000 Syrians applied for asylum in Germany. Despite the heavy drop in applications, deportations nearly doubled to 20,000 a year, marking a shifting sentiment among the German people away from the welcoming culture that brought thousands of Syrians to Germany since 2015.[9] The changing sentiments among German leaders and citizens towards Syrian refugees comes in light of an increasingly right-wing Parliament. In the 2017 elections, the Alternative fĆ¼r Deutschland (AfD) Party gained seats, bringing far right opposition to immigration to the national stage.[10]”
December 12, 2020
Andy, France – an EU sub-state – has a long history of causing mayhem in Syria. A history it has continued recently. So your attempt at whitewashing the actions of EU states won’t succeed.
Fortunately we did not meddle in Syria as much as you and David Cameron wanted, which was probably the result of the ineffectual Obama, and the subsequent resolution of Trump to halt your global authoritarianism.
Our reduced foreign aid should be spent on restoring Syria, rather than taking in well over 9 million foreigners, most of whom do not come from Syria anyway. The English are entitled to self-determination quite as much as Pakistanis and Nigerians.
December 12, 2020
We know who stirred up all this trouble in the region don’t we?
It wasn’t the European Union, was it?
So what do you think?
December 12, 2020
I am in favour of leaving the Middle East to get on with it, always have been, since any interference seems to inevitably end in tragedy for all and sundry.
Who started it? Well, depends how far you want to go back…remember the old Jewish joke: “Oy, what a mistake Moses made, if only he had turned right instead of left, we would have had the oil and the Arabs would have had ???”.
December 12, 2020
So you disapprove of Trump bringing peace to the region?
December 12, 2020
Stirred in up in Syria – Obama wasn’t it?
December 12, 2020
Oh do tell us – you know you want to .
December 12, 2020
Well certainly the French were involved, Martin, both recently and before WW2. Last time I looked, France was an EU sub-state.
December 12, 2020
Good morning.
I find our kind hosts second from last paragraph the most chilling.
Top down economies are Communist economies. This is what many have said in the past about the EU and with good reason.
https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2016/08/22/renzi-merkel-hollande-visit-spinellis-grave-2_0f7c36c6-cc51-4350-aa9e-4a089c6d2564.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altiero_Spinelli
Alas our lot cannot see that which the EU is and that includes the Trolls that infest this place.
There are two countries that have gone unnoticed – China and India. All of which are spewing vast amounts of CO2 and other pollutants. Peking has a permanent smog much like London and other UK cities once had. We all know this CO2 thing is a scam designed to take the wealth from the people, but I am amazed that no one in politics will speak against this scam.
We are truly in a dark place metaphorically and, unless we realise it and change tack, we will be in a dark place literally.
December 12, 2020
If, as you allege, this is a āscamā – why is Beijing covered in smog and London isnāt (well, not as much)!
December 12, 2020
Smog is not CO2. CO2 is not a pollutant.
December 12, 2020
Harmless plant food that plants kindly split into food or wood and oxygen for us and other animals to breath.
December 12, 2020
The scam, if it is or not has nothing to do with smog.
December 13, 2020
Indeed CO2 is clean, odourless, harmless (indeed vital and beneficial) plant and tree food.
December 12, 2020
Mike Wilson, CO2 is not smog. Smog arises from pollution – for example sulphur from burning coal. I am all for living as cleanly as we reasonably can, taking care of the planet for future generations, but without bankrupting the economy.
I have no time for those who have simply swallowed the CAGW hoax which blames it all on CO2, especially as that ideology will reduce the majority to the state of peasants in an authoritarian (command) economy.
When I argued with a published atmospheric physicist about CAGW and the economic catastrophe it would cause, he said that “CAGW had been invented by deniers to discredit the science”. He could not see that it is ignorant politicians such as Al Gore and Boris Johnson who believe CAGW, not “deniers”. And that scientists like him do nothing to stop it. And if CAGW isn’t true, as he implied, why are we ruining our economies for it?
December 12, 2020
@Mark B: For global threats, like a pandemic or a climate crisis, top-down approaches cannot be avoided. Hence a Paris climate accord, a World Health Organisation and a United Nations push for climate action. As I argue below, grassroots are also involved.
In the currently very poorly performing Netherlands (on climate action), there is now at least a “klimaat akkoord” in which all groups (top-down and bottom-up) have agreed to. Still, the Dutch government had to be taken to court (and lost), and now Shell is being taken to court as well. Power comes with responsibilities, als for companies.
December 12, 2020
Yes, India and China are a problem, but the UK will lead the way and inspire them to green, according to Dominic Raab š
December 12, 2020
Is the US or XR doing anything about one of the biggest polluters in the world, the Pentagon with all its ramifications?
December 12, 2020
You know the difference between “metaphorical” and “literal” – well done.
Could you teach the Leave puritans here the difference between “relative” and “absolute” perhaps?
And maybe you could all apply such insight reasonably, to matters such as sovereignty?
December 12, 2020
+1 thats right Mark. CO2 a trace element that encourages Plant growth . Not as big a green house gas as water vapour! But then water is the life of the world and the scammers cannot help that
December 12, 2020
Maybe the folly of signing up to all these international agreements is finally rattling cages?Why do countries/blocs do it? Presumably the EU is as hog tied as we are?
And surely, if any power were truly bothered about pollution then why not focus on river pollution in Indonesia and cobalt for electric cars involving child labour in the Congo, or on the mess in the ME?
Well, actually, we know why. Just power and money! A very tangled web.
āAggressive languageā?? Oh dear poor them!! Are they frit? Lol. Worry more about the
warships perhaps?
December 12, 2020
+1
December 13, 2020
Well, consider this re fishing, because the UK can never have full sovereignty in that respect anyway.
It is the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea that requires Britain to negotiate access to its waters for its neighbours, and the UK is a signatory to that.
All this huffing and puffing about some mythical Immaculate Nationhood is laughable.
December 15, 2020
A bit late to worry about legalities, you never objected to French contempt for the law with their navy looking on as large numbers of French boats assaulted UK vessels that were going about their legal business under the CFP.
We will determine who, how much, where, when and how (article 62) for the surplus in the EEZ. This in the context of proper management and conservation (61) and also taking into account the needs of landlocked (69) and disadvantaged (70) states.
Considering the destructive techniques used by some of our neighbours and the piratical behaviour of others perhaps we should give priority to those non-EU states that have been disadvantaged by EU fishing and agricultural methods and policies, eg in East Africa such as Cameroon or Sierra Leone.
December 12, 2020
In other news Mr Gove this week told the House of Commons that EU law and the ECJ would remain as the supreme authority within the UK, specifically in Northern Ireland. Well well
December 12, 2020
My father firmly believes that a Brexit deal is Brexit. He’s convinced of it. He says the term ‘Brexit’ and the term ‘Deal’ and naturally assumes that a deal between the UK and the EU on Brexit must mean the UK has returned to a state of absolute sovereignty and independence over of its own and entire affairs.
This is the language that is being used to deceive the general public. It is lies, pure bred lies.
If the UK still labours under ECJ jurisdiction and other forms of EU legislation then we are not and can never be S & I
I despise the attempts by filth politicians in government and in opposition to conceal their true intent and direction
December 12, 2020
Only lunatic regimes such as NK insist on absolute sovereignty.
There are many everyday areas of law where it is simply efficient for like minded countries to agree it together, e.g. on food safety, medicines etc.
But you seem to want a lunatic regime, I think.
December 12, 2020
Why is this news? It was in the withdrawal agreement – the oven ready deal – which Johnson stood on at the last election. If youād have read it you have known. So would Conservative MPs if theyād have read it. But many didnāt. They voted for it anyway.
December 12, 2020
It is not news. It is fake news.
December 12, 2020
I note that JR doesn’t clear this matter up – why not?
December 12, 2020
Andy, I did read it. In fact my wife created an index (which we put out on the internet) for the original WA, because the civil service “forgot” to provide one. The WA is Remain. That’s why it’s so bad.
December 12, 2020
JR
Excellent report.
The first thing that went through my mind was; ‘hah hah ha…here we go ! ‘
Now, re your last paragraph. I take it that British warships will not be deployed in any role in the EU’s dispute with Turkey ? Let the french navy deal with it.
We must never again be involved in the defence or liberation of any european country, especially the ungrateful ones.
As far as I’m concerned our borders need to be firmly shut tight, and if Erdogan does flood Europe with refugees…..not our problem.
December 12, 2020
the welcome noises from Germany to increase their labour force increased and encouraged the flood of Syrian and other refugees.
December 12, 2020
@steve:
“We must never again be involved in the defence or liberation of any european country, especially the ungrateful ones.”
Only yesterday (i.e. 1688) we put the English house in order with our invasion. I still have to receive any proof of your gratitude! š
December 12, 2020
PvL
“I still have to receive any proof of your gratitude!”
=======
1939 – 1945.
December 12, 2020
And NS (Netherlands railways) has only just in 2020 paid a pittance of compensation for being complisant with the Nazis transporting Jews from Holland in those years.
December 12, 2020
@steve: People who matter nowadays were born after 1688 and after 1945. They have different memories and different priorities.
Should I be grateful for the UK having been a spanner in the EU works? I am grateful for you having left. If a different Britain wants to return in say 20 years, that’s fine, but I won’t hold my breath (for 20 years š )
December 12, 2020
You forgot the US President.
You forgot the EU can’t exist in 20 years time.
We just left in time.
December 12, 2020
Well, a large number of Remains claim that the EU was a reaction to WW1 and WW2, so you should not be so hasty in dismissing the importance of 1945. But then consistency was never a Remain strong point, was it?
And if the UK was a spanner in the EU works, we didn’t do tooy well at the task. We didn’t even stop the EU Constitutional Treaty, although the Dutch and French tried. Of course the EU re-presented it as Lisbon and you all fell for it. However, there is nothing the EU wanted to do which the UK stopped. You are making it up, as Remains usually do.
December 12, 2020
PVL,
“I wonāt hold my breath (for 20 years š )”
You could try it.
December 13, 2020
@Sir Joe Soap: point taken, but actually the current US president was born after 1945 š
I hope still to be around in 20 years and if the EU will have ceased to exist, as you hopefully proclaim, I’ll buy you a bottle of good single malt whisky š
December 12, 2020
I am surprised you even bothered to reply to such impudence. We all know where we stand – and it won’t be over the Channel. Enjoy the economic jackboot.
December 12, 2020
Fred H
“Enjoy the economic jackboot.”
=========
France left alone in the room with Germany, big budget problems, french farmers, fishermen & yellow vests kicking off, Front Nationale smelling blood, Erdogan flooding Europe with millions of refugees, naval conflict in the eastern Med. Hungary, Poland, possibly Italy leaving the EU
Thank God we’re out.
Ringside seat Fred !
December 13, 2020
Steve,
Your knowledge of EU, France, Hungary, Italy and Poland just every time you write about the wars in Europe never ceases to amaze me
December 12, 2020
In 1688 you were invited here by a faction who wanted to overthrow the king. Not quite the same thing as Britain playing a major role in liberating your country from the Nazis.
Mind you, my dad, who served in the British Army from 1938 to 1946 and saw action in Europe and Burma, was heard in later life to utter things like āI donāt know why we bloody botheredā. Observing the current animosity towards us from many in Europe now, I would have to agree with him. etc ed
December 12, 2020
As I recall your (words left out ed) nation rolled over as it currently does to Germany. Must be a culture/heritage thing. Perhaps your populace is just a little slow on the uptake.
December 12, 2020
Easier life growing flowers and brewing beer.
December 12, 2020
How offensive
1914 – 1918
1939 – 1945
I commented late in 2016 the UK’s membership of NATO should be on the table. For me it has had its day.
The EU is welcome to its Russian gas for survival.
Mrs. Thatcher was instinctively right about major issues, as is President Trump, she was dubious about the Channel Tunnel.
December 12, 2020
šš yes both the British and Dutch were Protestants then, now only we protest – you have acquiesced!
Thank for William – we had already given you Mary.
December 12, 2020
+1 very good.
December 12, 2020
Peter, there is an enormous statue in the the centre of Brussels to a certain General Montgomery, who was also invited by popular demand.
December 12, 2020
Operation MANNA (1945). Thanks owed also to the Aussies, Kiwis, Canadians and Poles, who also risked their lives to feed your countrymen.
December 12, 2020
@Sea_Warrior: Stories about the Canadians dropping chocolate over e.g. The Hague have been told for decades and made them quite popular.
December 12, 2020
Sea Warrior
They also seem to have forgotten the Berlin airlift. Very kind of us considering they tried to starve us into submission.
I guess we must be such a rotten selfish nation.
December 14, 2020
Sea Warrior
“Operation MANNA (1945). Thanks owed also to the Aussies, Kiwis, Canadians..”
All nations who only a century before 1945 had decimated/destroyed the native peoples whose countries they now inhabit.
Glad they have improved since then.
December 12, 2020
Yes peter but your King wars ended up in Ireland- thousands of Irish were slaughtered on the backs of these monarchs culminating in the treaty of Limerick 1692. Just another example of how the terms of International treaties can be easily broken – for the Irish it just heralded in the penal laws against catholics which lasted for another hundred years- so respectfully you can keep your kings. Irish and Republican. Murphy
December 13, 2020
@Murphy: I’don’t read much history, but I’m not proud of the mess which was created on the isle of Ireland back then. Maybe the current king William Alexander could have apologised to the Irish when he visited the R.o.I. a year ago. He could also have shown how protestans and catholics live very happily together in the Dutch society.
December 12, 2020
I’m with you on that one Steve.
December 12, 2020
Let’s not confuse the EU (and some European Leaders) with the “People of Europe”.
If there is “No Deal” then it will hurt a lot of people in Europe, just as it will here. That’s not to say it’s not worth the short-term pain for the longer term gain – a conclusion that other EU members will eventually reach too I believe.
It is a huge mistake to believe that all Europeans are of the same mind as their left-leaning politicos and media. We have the same problem here, wealthy ‘lefties’ (in both Parties) regurgitating the dogma they were taught at University. They seem increasingly unaware of the gulf that has opened up between their Marxist clap-trap and the realities for many working folk. What does a wealthy London Barrister know about the problems of working people? About the same as that bloke from Eton that he so clearly despises. Not that much.
It’s no different in Europe. Do you think Macron and Barnier really care about French “Fisherpeople” ? We will find out in the not too distant future I suspect.
December 12, 2020
I do feel sorry about the polish coal industry.
But never mind…Polish citizens living here, along with those of Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg have voting and standing (just local?) election rights post Brexit. More very quiet treaties.
Oh well..itās only FAIR! (š¤¬).
Why rush headlong into treaty after treaty when the UK supposedly wants to regain sovereignty?
Are we forming our own new bloc?
December 12, 2020
There doesnāt appear to be any understanding amongst members of the government that the only reliable forms of energy are Fossil fuels, the commitment to Net Zero by 2030 will result in a lack of generating capacity to keep the lights on……. this appears to be the result of the UN calling for this to be adopted….. may I also remind you that this organisation is also calling for the destruction of the state of Israel !
Co2 is a nutrient gas and during our lifetimeās we each exhale 30 tons of the stuff …. oh waitš³š³š³
December 12, 2020
+++
December 12, 2020
This is not true.
Renewables are perfectly reliable too. Somewhere close to half of our electricity already comes from low carbon sources, including renewables. And – because the lights stayed on – you didnāt even notice.
December 12, 2020
and when all the cars plug in – what then?
December 12, 2020
Do you use electric lights in your house Andy ?
I’d have thought you’d feel safer not being illuminated.
December 12, 2020
Solar is fine on a small scale for say a modest three bed house, but don’t expect to boil too many electric kettles or use an electric oven.
I’ve got basic solar i.e panels, deep cycle batteries & inverter, but to heat the house & cook of grid during winter I rely on the AGA.
December 12, 2020
Go on Gridwatch.co.uk and educate yourself andy.
And that is just production of electricity.
December 12, 2020
Andy, Your ignorance knows no bounds – offshore Wind has a capacity factor of c38% (BEIS), so of course it is unreliable (intermittent). Even you, omnipotent though you are, do not know when, and for how long, the wind will blow.
The lights stayed on last Sunday because of CCGT. If you’d looked at Gridwatch, Wind was producing at the abysmally low power of 0.29GW – 0.7% of the total required in the whole of the UK. Fossil fuel CCGT took the strain at over 56%. And we have nothing else substantial enough to back up Wind, especially not another 30GW of it.
December 12, 2020
In 2019, according to Wikipedia renewable production generated 37.9% of total electricity.
As I write CCGT is generating 51%, nuclear 20%, wind 8% and biomass 7%.
Some days wind is almost zero.
December 13, 2020
So why are we (1% of global polluters and politically irrelevant – as you say) going for zero emissions in nine year’s time ?
Haven’t we done enough already ?
You may be able to afford an electric car and a heat pump but I can’t.
What do you expect me to do but to vote for communists in order to redistribute your wealth to me ?
December 13, 2020
Renewables are by their nature intermittant and are not reliable – the residents of London and beyond certainly noticed the failure of the Hornsea offshore wind farm in August 2019.
December 12, 2020
Donāt forget hydro power.
December 12, 2020
30 tons each of CO2 may well be perfectly OK even if the population is 10, 12 billion – it is the excess which could be destructive. Can anyone say it wouldn’t be or would? I don’t know, just pointing out a different scenario.
December 12, 2020
+1
December 12, 2020
‘cruelly dependent on Russian gas’. Very interesting revelation. I suspect our esteemed host knows the real reason for the Syrian ‘civil war’. A civil war it most certainly wasn’t. More western regime change using proxy forces. Obama and Merkel have so much to answer for
Germany’s total dependency on Putin’s gas and Russia’s domination of the arc of Shia including their financial and military support for Assad points the way for anyone who wants to understand Etc ed
December 12, 2020
What is more “cruel” about countries relying on Russian gas than about their greater dependence on Saudi oil?
Reply Look at Russian involvement in murders on our soil, testing of our cyber defences and other military challenges to NATO.
December 12, 2020
I think that Russian interests – possibly private and otherwise criminal – were probably behind some murders committed on our soil.
Whether those were by the Russian state itself is not proven, however.
Many people are killed by foreigners in other countries e.g. in drugs related crime, but we do not list their home countries as proven enemies because of this.
The US has recently carried out state-sanctioned murder in a sovereign country quite overtly though, hasn’t it?
December 12, 2020
Reply to reply – of course the West never tests the cyber defences of Russia nor challenges militarily the borders of Russia with Nato right up to Russia’s borders. Whiever heard of such things??
December 12, 2020
But Russia is not dependent on UK gas, is it, Dennis?
December 12, 2020
Point taken, but the issue of globalism has got us all wearing masks and our way of life under threat as never before.
All infrastructure of strategic importance must be dealt with in-house hence force.
Energy, PPE, food…
December 12, 2020
MiC
“What is more ācruelā about countries relying on Russian gas than about their greater dependence on Saudi oil?”
==========
Good point !
December 12, 2020
Why would the US courts change their mind about the election?
There have been lots of court cases – all have shown Trumpās claims of cheating to be false.
Mr Biden won a significant victory in the popular vote. He won the electoral college by the same margin Mr Trump won it by 2016. Mr Trump had called his own victory āa landslidesā.
Georgia – which has a Republican Governor – has recounted three times. Biden won all three. Biden won the recount in Wisconsin.
Sure, Mr Trump might try to illegally retain power. This is what failed incompetent leaders like him do. But Iām afraid your buddy Donald lost. He is a two time loser.
Reply I have never suggested the courts would find for President Trump and have always said we are likely to get Mr Biden.
December 12, 2020
John, I think that some people were commenting on your apparent hopes, rather than on your expectations?
December 12, 2020
Do you remember how long it took Gordon Brown to leave Downing Street.
Corbyn and MacDonnell claimed victory in 2017
December 12, 2020
Narrow Shoulders
Actually, speaking as someone of a conservative mind, I remember the day Gordon Brown left, and I have to say he faced the world’s press and left with great dignity, much credit to the man.
As a man of his principles, Gorden Brown ranks amongst the giants, not like the sniveler before him.
GB might be labour, but I do have a respect of him.
December 13, 2020
Not a good gold salesman though.
December 12, 2020
Andy
“your buddy Donald lost. He is a two time loser.”
=============
Would you have the guts to call someone a loser to his face ?
December 12, 2020
We are alas likely very to get Biden. Neither is a good choice but Trump is far
preferable & certainly on energy, the economy, jobs, wars and climate. Biden has been historically wrong on almost every war and has duff economic policies. Identity politics and the politics of envy are evil, they do huge damage.
December 12, 2020
Why do you say likely to get Biden did you not read Trump has taken to executing the federal prisoners on death row- a Trump admission really that his own time in office is short
December 12, 2020
Yes, they are, particularly those Identity Politics that appeal to voters on the basis of their being white and speaking English as a first language.
As for the politics of envy, we should do more to encourage voters to admire people who paid attention at school and who got interesting jobs with proper occupational pensions as a result, rather than to sneer at them, don’t you think?
There are also six other deadly sins, and I wonder how many of them motivate the politics of you and other commenters on this site?
December 12, 2020
Andy, You prefer polls to actual votes, so what do you say to the USA poll which showed that 47% of Americans think the election was unsafe?
There is clear evidence that votes were tampered with. How much is difficult to say because the crooks who did the tampering are not going to own up, and there is not enough time to do a thorough investigation into the honesty – or otherwise – of each vote.
What we do know is that the bad smell of a fix won’t go away. So even if Biden gets in he will be a lame duck President from the start. Let us hope he is as wise as Trump in not starting any more damn wars, but I won’t hold my breath.
December 13, 2020
Biden has already started a war between Texas and the 18 states and the rest.
December 12, 2020
Global Warming Policy Foundation have many reports that question the green lobby. They have a report that shows that green environmentalists from the west, working in Beijing have become āuseful idiotsā to China and through funding bodies to effectively be the mouth pice for PrestIdent Xi. Xi praises their commitment to global change ambitions whilst doing the opposite themselves. The greens think Xi will save the planet and Xi seed it as a way to further his ambition for world dominance.
World leaders have apparently woken up to China, but what hearing from our government makes one wonder. Or do these green environmentalists have too much say in government.
Either they all seem heāll bent on destroying our economy with the exorbitant costs and impractical ambitions. Hopefully, it will fail before it gets off the ground. But Iām not holding my breath!
The Red and the Green:Chinaās Useful Idiots briefing 51 by Patricia Adams
December 12, 2020
Sorry about the bad proof reading!
December 12, 2020
NP we get the message. All opposition to the green lobby is to be welcomed.
December 12, 2020
It’s noteworthy that so many posts to this diary are from contributors well-informed about science, energy and climate. They see through the bogus science, corrupt statistics and fraud behind the CO2/climate hysteria in a way very few politicians seem capable of doing. They see how the hysteria is driving us to economic disaster comparable or most likely far greater than the Covid virus. Isn’t it appalling that the chairman of the supposedly ‘independent’ Committee on Climate Change receives six-figure sums via his business holdings from wind power and electric car battery interests? Appalling it may be but ministers appear to lap up every recommendation they make.
As Labour and the Lib/Dems are just as bad, that leaves the Reform (ex Brexit) Party as the only hope of deliverance from lunacy if they can establish themselves. They assure me they will stand up to green lunacy. Let’s hope so, they are our last chance.
December 12, 2020
This week Iāve heard Brexiteers Daniel Hannan, John Caudwell and Norman Lamont all admit they are not getting the Brexit they thought they voted for. Yesterday before describing his no deal as a āgreat dealā an Australia style deal, Boris Johnson said it wasnāt what he originally planned.
Meanwhile the former Australian PM Malcolm Turnball has told Brexiteers to be careful what they wish for because Australiaās trading arrangements with the EU are not very good. I still expect there to be a deal – even if there is briefly no deal first. And, yes the EU will fling Johnson some fish and maybe a figleaf to pretend he won on the level playing field too. But we all know this will effectively be a complete and utter capitulation by the Brexiteers. It would be funny if it were not so embarrassingly pathetic.
Still, they are trying to show how tough they are being sending navy gunboats to protect fish. I hope you all realise that the entire world just wonders why little England is now so pathetic.
December 12, 2020
I couldnāt give a toss what the rest of the world thinks of Britain. Itās odd that half the people in the rest of the world would love to live here. Why donāt you move away from this hateful place and media room for someone who appreciates it.
A āone out who hates the UK – oni in who loves the UKā immigration policy would be excellent.
December 12, 2020
āmake roomā not āmedia roomā
and
āone inā not āoni inā
December 12, 2020
You are wrong.
Of the million or so who have tried to settle in Europe fleeing conflict in the ME, by far and away most want to live in France, in Germany etc.
Only the order of a percent or so want to come to the UK.
December 12, 2020
Odd statistics considering over 300,000 a year arrive here as an additional population
December 12, 2020
A percent of what, Martin? You’re as bad as Margaret with figures. There are over 9 million people in the UK not born here, officially – even more in reality going by NInos. If you mean percent of migrants that would mean about 1 billion in the EU (10m x 100), or more than twice the total population of the EU. So I don’t think you’re right there.
December 12, 2020
How sad for you. Didn’t realise you cared for us that much Andy. Merry Christmas fronts old folks.
December 12, 2020
“I hope you all realise that the entire world just wonders why little England is now so pathetic.”
========
I wonder do you have the guts to say that to the face of a little Englander, or do you prefer to hide behind your comp.
December 12, 2020
That’s the great thing about the internet, as compared to some hole of a pub in a no-hope area filled with lawless know-nothings.
You can form your sentences in your own time without being shouted down or threatened, and say what you like.
It’s progress, Steve.
Get over it.
December 12, 2020
MiC
But then some things said, or posted on the net are offensive, like for instance hatred of pensioners, berating one’s own countrymen, etc.
Takes a real man to mouth off like that from the anonymity of a comp. It is not progress, it is cowardice.
December 12, 2020
Brexit is progress too, Martin. So get over it.
December 13, 2020
No, it is degeneration.
December 12, 2020
What are you doing to help these ‘lawless no-nothings’ Martin ?
I’m helping by living among them and getting involved.
December 12, 2020
Keyboard warriors.
Sitting in bedsits
Cowards.
December 13, 2020
Edward 2
I you using trolls again or just strong words?
December 13, 2020
Is that your best response?
Very poor.
December 12, 2020
I hope you realise you have no clue at all what āthe entire worldā thinks, all you seem to know is what a few Guardian journalists think. You donāt even know what people outside of the Home Counties think do you ? Howās your plan for forcing the working class to live in car parks coming along ?
December 12, 2020
I agree with you, RG, Andy does not know what the entire world thinks in exactly the same way as Mike cannot know for sure that half the world would love to live here.
But if not half the world, it would appear that 600,000 people from Hong Kong would love to take up the so-called resettlement scheme in the coming two years.
December 12, 2020
Hefner, The two views are not comparable. Andy has no foundation for his view whatsoever, but Mike knows that there is an inflow of about 300,000 immigrants a year with pressure for more all the time. Mike’s view may be an exaggeration, but Andy’s view has not even that merit.
December 13, 2020
NickC
According to the ‘Statista’ website 381 000 British people emigrated in 2019. So we need more than the 300 000 new arrivals to make up the numbers.
So no need to panic.
December 13, 2020
300,000 is a net figure
December 13, 2020
net 300,000 new arrivals.
December 12, 2020
Turnbull is wrong on almost everything including climate alarmism. I suppose that is why he was on Question Time the other day. The BBC like such people usually 4 to 1 or 5 to 0.
December 12, 2020
TONY ABBOTT would have been far more sensible (despite reading PPE).
December 12, 2020
Ah yes but what would Mark Carney have said- at least he came out now and again on the tv to answer questions not like the current office holder. Anyway time for me to pipe down am under orders from mancunius to use the same ID so there you have it all for Christmas and a happy new year to you all.
December 12, 2020
So you speak for the world as well now Andy.
December 12, 2020
Andy is omnipotent, infallible, and keen to jail everyone who disagrees with him. Which is almost everyone – even Martin claimed to have disagreed with Andy’s gloating about the deaths of elderly Leave voters.
December 12, 2020
If we are so “pathetic” Andy – then why does the EU seem so terrified of competing with us outside of heavily enforced “level playing fields” ??
Not received a lot of publicity from the Beeb et al – but Liz Truss has just signed up Singapore & Vietnam – bringing the DTI’s trade deal total to 59 other countries (about Ā£200B of trade). Our export trade with the EU has been shrinking for 20 years and this will now accelerate. The EU (as formed) is structurally flawed – a building without strong foundations and one that has just taken a huge (20%) hit to its membership income and marketplace.
The more the EU tries to make life hard for the UK – the faster they will drive us away . Not bad thing for us if we can shrink that Ā£100B trade deficit – that’s Ā£2B a week of British wealth leaking across the Channel in the wrong direction.
December 12, 2020
Well on the pathetic list you would be at the top Andy
December 12, 2020
I too find it hard to understand. Brexit HAS HAPPENED. You have had 9 months of Brexit . Why arent you happy? The EU isnt giving you a deal but why doyou care, the uk is now free. FREE. WHY ARENT YOU HAPPY?
December 12, 2020
Colin
You seem to have a peculiar take on things……we’re delighted there is no deal. We didn’t vote for a deal. Most of us want nothing to do with the ungrateful EU.
We couldn’t be happier, and the generation of true Brits who grew up with graft and a sense of value now have the opportunity to roll them sleeves up and show how it’s done.
Brave new world ! and we’re up for it.
December 12, 2020
Colin – We still spend on HS2, Foreign Aid, hundreds of thousands of Civil servants, out-of-touch legal system, the Union, horrendous political parties, education merely how to pass exams, the pretence of negotiating with the snide spiteful EU, Chinese second rate at best products, Americans obsessed with America – there is the rest of the World. H of C with 650 that ought to work fine with 50 – maybe 100, H of L full of dozing failed politicians or inherited post boys and girls. Eton still exists, but few Grammar schools remain. Universities financing lazy too numerous lecturers by filling the places with high fee paying foreigners.
Will that do for now?
December 12, 2020
posh not post.
December 12, 2020
Because we are not free. We are subject to the ECJ. Control by EU customs inside our country.
December 12, 2020
Colin, You don’t understand because you choose not to listen and choose not to do your own research. Read the WA – even Andy says it’s rubbish – and you will find the EU currently controls us (via the WA) in almost the same way as it did in 2016 via the TEU and TFEU. Since the EU still controls us, we have not left.
December 12, 2020
It’s Australian SAS accused of mass murder of innocent foreigners – not ours.
It was in New Zealand that a rampage in a mosque took place – not the UK.
When oh when will you start respecting your own country ???
December 13, 2020
Andy
Lest we forget:
“The Cod Wars (Icelandic: ĆorskastrĆĆ°in, “the cod wars”, or LandhelgisstrĆĆ°in, “the wars for the territorial waters”) were a series of 20th century confrontations between the United Kingdom and Iceland about fishing rights in the North Atlantic. Each of the disputes ended with an Icelandic victory.”
Wiki
December 12, 2020
Macron has a habit of getting up peoples noses and the silly little squirt has given himself an election problem which unfortunately will involve us for a while. He mis-judged us over fishing and turned down our offer of a phased return of control of our coastal waters spread over 3 years. Now he is going to lose the lot on the night of December 31st and for a while we will see the channel ports blocked by French fishing boats
Don’t blame Brexit, blame the French for their total lack of ability to negotiate, which they have suffered from for centuries. Some 60 years ago I remember talking to a Scot at a campsite near Limoges while we were both admiring the countryside, and he said ”Aye a beautiful country, far too good for the French!” I have never forgotten it and it is so true.
December 13, 2020
The last English left Calais in 1558. George III dropped his claim to what by the time had become the French Republic when he signed the 1800 Act of Union creating the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The last deluded āEnglishā claiming to be āKing of England, Scotland, France and Irelandā was Cardinal Henry Benedict Stuart who died in 1807.
As for the Frenchās total lack of ability to negotiate, they appear to have just followed what had been stated on 24 June 2016: āThere can be no cherry-picking of Europe’s single market … There must be a palpable difference between members of the European family and non-members … Being part of the single market has advantages. The UK must face the consequences of its decisionā, all said at the time by Jean-Claude Juncker, Martin Schulz and Donald Tusk.
So, what are you talking about? It was clear in June 2016, it remains so in December 2020.
Or are you one of those still crying for for the loss of Guyenne and Gascogne?
December 12, 2020
The ātop-downā approach mentioned in todayās article is clearly also in response to sustained grassroot actions in civil society. Think of e.g. Extinction Rebellion, Fridays for Freedom, Greenpeace, David Attenboroughās pleading through his films, etc.
I applaud the UK government for now aiming for an early, even stronger CO2 reduction. Contrary to the EU27 it only has itself to agree with and can move relatively fast. If the UK aims to play a leading role by its example, this would be good for Britain and good for the world. It will be interesting to see how this develops during the coming years.
December 12, 2020
“Everything the EU says and does is driven by the overriding priority of cutting emissions….. “
One could easily disagree with that statement, because like everything else the EU does, it is about the EU elite accruing power, in every possible way, but especially over the population they are supposed to serve, so that they may be controlled better.
We had better pray very hard that Biden never gets into the Whitehouse because the combination of his Marxist ideology and the irrational EU approach to life will force the UK into a very uncomfortable position, as if we aren’t green enough already!
That so much effort is extended on climate change and other dogma by the liberal establishment ought to be enough of a warning that we are in terrible danger.
December 13, 2020
Bryan Harris
If, you hink Biden has a Marxist ideology, it just shows you do not udnerstand what Marxism is
December 14, 2020
On the contrary – But tell me this, have you read what his intentions are?
He plans to introduce every last suppressive policy that Marx would have been so proud of him… Biden is no lover of democracy and plans to take away every last freedom from the US public.
Be very careful what you wish for.
December 12, 2020
All MPs and PMs(!) should read Juliet Samuelās article in āThe Telegraphā today.
Regarding the small victory for common sense at Cambridge University she says that all one has to do to regain sanity, is stand up to bullies!!
And that is true!
December 12, 2020
The idea that people should have to ārespectā views that are clearly idiotic, moronic, wonāt work and are hugely damaging (religious views or others) would destroy free speech in one stroke. I shall respect views that are worthy of respect and point out the lunacy of the very many others, such as climate alarmism.
December 12, 2020
+++
December 12, 2020
Do you see how easy it is ?
December 12, 2020
“Build Back Better”. You qoted straight out of the Great Reset manual from the World Economic Forum. Why would you allow yourself to be brainwashed by this elitist club, Mr Redwood?
Reply I was quoting the Biden/EU slogan, not mine!
December 12, 2020
Reply to reply
Yes…originated with Biden they say.
So why did Boris picked it up and run with it?
He is a big fan?
All of govt too?
December 12, 2020
Everhopeful: “originated with Biden” – I can believe it.
December 12, 2020
Having seen the latest version of guidelines on the tv, doesn’t anyone in govt realise that the vast majority of people can’t afford to have their heating on but have their windows open to “let fresh air in”. Fresh air in – – expensive heat out.
December 12, 2020
Just wear all your thermals or ski gear and keep moving. Keep the heating off. Electric blankets at night. I often woke up to find my glass of water by the bed frozen and the window covered in ice inside and out. Or shared bodily warmth perhaps. We rarely had more than one warm room with a coal fire in my youth. Never really bothered us.
December 12, 2020
It bothered me, and I am willing to spend to keep warm, have a comfortable home, hot water available all day, and to eat even out of season food if reasonably priced.
Cold rooms, ice inside draughty windows, hot water bottles, deciding what you wanted to do in the loo to make the trip as quick as possible! Planning ahead for heating water for baths – not just when you felt like it. Parents worrying about the next coal and coke delivery, hauling heavy bags home from shops without use of a car, and sometimes for a mile due to hopeless bus services. I hope most people appreciate moving on from those dreadful late 40s, early 50s.
December 12, 2020
Sir, I too can remember that, I used to my hand heat to see out of a frozen window in the morning. Those days are now ,thankfully gone and I will maintain my whole house at 19 degrees, certainly not heating Devon with the window open. the triple gazing firmly shut, do you not realise the Woh flu is over , until possibly next year .
It was a scam from the World Health Org
December 12, 2020
If Germany or France cannot meet the set targets for whatever reason, then those targets will be changed, that you can guarantee.
The Eu will not take action against either of those Countries.!
December 12, 2020
Oh, I shouldn’t expect so. Some countries are more equal than others.
December 12, 2020
The ongoing row over the EU budget has not been resolved with Poland and Hungary determined to veto the uneasy settlement that was reached. Brussels, led by Merkel and Macron, appears to have boxed itself into a corner over their intention to impose their idea of democracy on those two countries. Bullying into submission the democratically-elected governments of another two member states like they did with Greece and Italy is no way to rebuild relationships. They will build up even more resentment of control from the centre. The other former Eastern Bloc countries will be keeping a wary eye on this as they are all absolutely determined not to take in Muslim economic migrants.
Brussels has at least come up with a creative but dubiously legal workaround for the ā¬750bn Covid fund. This is the fund that they controversially say will be outside of the level playing field regime they were hoping to impose on the UK.
Everywhere you look there are problems with the Euro which are being ignored. Sooner or later these will have to be resolved, but both leading candidates to replace Merkel are even less likely to concede the collectivisation of Eurozone debt than she would be. It is impossible to envisage when and how the necessary changes can be made to secure the future of the Euro.
I would suggest that climate change targets are the least of their problems.
December 12, 2020
Anthropogenic global warming is a scam.
The climate has been warming since the last ice age which was at its maximum 22,000 years ago.
December 12, 2020
No statistically significant global warming at all for the last 12 years. Almost every single modelling projection hugely wrong all exaggerate the warming. So Why trust them going forwards?
Even more provable is that the renewable āsolutionsā clearly do not work even in CO2 terms to any significant degree. Also a bit warmer and a bit more CO2 plant food is on valance a net benefit.
December 12, 2020
Why take advice from people who have been proven wrong tine and again on climate, peak oil and all the rest. It would be like asking all the sliiy ERM and EURO enthusiasts like John Major to advise on the next mad economic lunacy they would like to see.
December 12, 2020
Please define or explain how you would judge something statistically significant. I want to learn from the best minds in this country.
December 12, 2020
I’m disappointed. I want it warmer. I suppose most people do.
December 12, 2020
Undoubtedly mankind has some effect on the climate (the urban heat effect for example) but there is no reason at all to believe a thermal catastrophe is coming. The only catastrophe is the huge government over reaction to this climate alarmist religion. Just as now with Covid.
The idea that switching, at vast expense and inconvenience to wind, tidal, solar, bikes, trams, trains, hydro and electric vehicles is clearly demonstrably wrong even just in CO2 terms. Let alone climate terms.
December 12, 2020
The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference
Why do they only invite people with the same views, the same questions, the same answers – no counter argument or debate
They don’t talk for me
December 12, 2020
They do not invite people who believe fanciful nonsense, no.
December 13, 2020
so its a nodding shop
December 12, 2020
The dispute over oil and gas reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean has its roots in the failure of the plan to reunify the island of Cyprus in 2004. Had that succeeded, Turkey would not be able to use the excuse of protecting the interests of Turkish Cypriots to challenge the ownership of those resources.
Having has some knowledge and experience of Northern Cyprus and its history, I have always supported the decision of Turkey to safeguard the interests of the Turkish Cypriot community by taking over the North of the island. The behaviour of the Greek Cypriot administration led by Makarios before Turkey intervened was indefensible.
When a negotiated settlement for reunification of the island was agreed, in 2004, the EU and the UN made the fatal mistake of giving the Greek Cypriots a veto over it. The EU failed to put pressure on the Greek Cypriots to vote in favour and, just as anyone with any knowledge of the subject would have predicted, they voted to shut out the North.
69% of Turkish Cypriots voted for reunification of the island so, the blame for the current conflict of interests in the Eastern Mediterranean rests entirely with the Greek Cypriots.
December 12, 2020
I applaud attempts to encourage investment in environment friendly technologies, particularly in electricity generation but wind and solar power cannot consistently supply the grid on their own. I would urge the Government to consider the effect of those many cold, long and windless dark winter nights on consumer demand and how it should be met.
My view is that there are two means with zero gas emissions, Hydro and Nuclear.
Hydro is obviously limited by the requirement for a particular geography but nuclear is not.
There are clearly more risks with nuclear than there are with hydro but those, given a sensible and safe design, largely revolve around storage of waste.
I believe that replacement of existing nuclear generation capacity must be expedited.
Also there are indications that we will need to increase our hydro and/or nuclear generating capacity significantly to meet the demand of recharging electric vehicles and powering environment controls systems in our buildings once natural gas is taken off line.
December 12, 2020
The weird one. Time and time again what the EU wants, suggests and requires is a dictate to others, but never employed inside the EU.
Level playing field, the CAP uses taxpayer money to undermine world food production. The Common Fisheries Policy imposed restrictions on what the UK could do while permitting giant EU boats to rip up the breeding grounds in the breeding season – result fewer fish for all. EU’s manufacturing is carried out by some of the most polluting systems known to man. The minimum wage in the EU is around half that in the UK. Health access in the EU is not free at point of delivery. Its EU double talk dressed up to be all cuddly.
In practice – ‘carbon border tax, beefed up emissions trading taxes’ will not be applied to EU States but be a tool to restrict imports.
The sorry state the UK has been dragged into in the last 4+ years will only be resolved by a ‘Clean Break’ that is now the only way future trade can be negotiated on a level playing field .
As someone here this morning has already said it is unbelievable Gove on his own has severed NI from the UK.
December 12, 2020
My home is now my prison cell,
How long the stretch I can not tell.
But all the things I loved the most,
Shopping trips, long walks, the post,
Have gone! All disappeared from sight,
In masks and rules and crazy shite.
Because THEY think THEY have the right!
December 12, 2020
Everhopeful,
A clever ode,
Of government failure,
So take the road,
to great Australia!
December 14, 2020
We know they like the taste of beer,
and used to welcome us from here,
since we stopped the Aussie lamb,
a move that might have meant a ban,
they brewed a tipple necked from a small glass,
and don’t call the rear anything but arse.
Straight talking folk not given to rush,
unlike the EU chatters who beat about the bush!
December 12, 2020
And now Boris decides to lump on us all manner of Greenist/BLM-ist bullshittery.
December 12, 2020
Off the scale alarming article about the safety of the Pfizer corona virus vaccine, and of the other vaccines, in Conservative Woman today, 12th December, by Andrew J Green.
December 12, 2020
Iago
Thatās not the first article Iāve seen about the possible affects. Why has it not been licensed despite it being declared safe? No-one know what itās affects may or may not be! Itās the first vaccine to interact with DNA. Thatās perhaps why itās not been licensed, too many unknowns.
December 12, 2020
Just a question: how do you know that Andrew J. Green is a reliable source to discuss the safety of the Pfizer CV vaccine and of other vaccines?
December 13, 2020
Epistemology is of no interest to the Trump-brexit Ameringlanders, Hefner.
December 13, 2020
How do you know he is not a reliable source Hefner?
December 12, 2020
Masks, impoverishment, the injection of an unaffected age group on a mass scale …
it is quite clear that the disease affects a minority of very old people who are very ill and with little time to live – utter insanity !
December 13, 2020
Wilful stupidity is a pretty dismal spectacle.
It is the young who are the main vectors of the infection to those whom it kills.
December 12, 2020
To ‘Build Back Better’ requires everything laid before you is destroyed.
There is no World Government. The UN, the World Economic Forum and so on have no democratic mandate to suggest anything.
I have no doubt the UK using the vernacular will be a ‘greener’ place going forward, but it will happen by ‘first’ creating an economy that supports the future. The on message Political classes way of doing thing is to first destroying then keep their fingers crossed something will turn up.
The reason to go ‘green’ should come from it is more economical to do so because of advances in technology. You need to fund and create that first.
China turns to a ‘nuclear fusion reactor’ future. So Boris announces taxpayer money to do the same. Then not to be left out so does Joe Biden and the EU. All announced in the same period of time. The lunatics have left the asylum, look at me I am spending taxpayer money without a plan – because I am the Boss.
Rather than announce an aspiration lets have announcements on achievements. The World or rather its people are being lead by some of the dumbest most illiterate controlling thugs ever known to man.
December 13, 2020
Or another perspective, are those advocating ‘Build Back Better’ are suggesting everything we have achieved to date as a Country is worth nothing, in tatters and redundant.
The Government needs reminding that in using that phrase they are highlighting it is themselves that have laid waste to the Country over the last 10 years!
Just shows how bonkers, jingoistic and dumb the Political Class have become. There is a need to refresh the Democratic System to the extent that being a Gang Member(A signed up party member) should not be the dominate pre-requisite for representing a community. The first part of that is to ensure candidates are selected and only funded from within the community they wish to represent – they should never be on the ballot using a party ticket.
December 12, 2020
Dear Mr. Redwood,
I thought it was some sort of sick joke but as there have been no rebuttals from government sources, I guess it may well be true.
Would your party really stoop so low as to ask UK taxpayers to dip into their COVID-ravaged pockets in order to feather those of French fishermen just so as to grease the way to some sort of grubby Deal?
December 12, 2020
+++
December 13, 2020
I expect exactly this and perhaps even today.
December 12, 2020
Why are you still discussing the decisions of an entity you have spent your political career making sure the UK lost all influence on ? It is not as if you can influence what goes on in Brussels.
Boris has managed to unite all 27 members against the UK with his ham-fisted attempt to bypass Barnier. He was rightly put back in his little box by the German Chancellor when she refused contemplating even taking a call from him.
Biden is getting confirmed on Monday. Have you prepared your letter warming him not to get involved in Brexit ?
Will you address it to him directly or do you need to go through the US ambassador.
reply You are so rattled. I will continue to provide analysis and quote EU documents as they seem to wind you up so much. the U.K. needs to know what the neighbours are up to.
December 12, 2020
Tabulazero, We never had any influence to disagree with the EU at all.
December 13, 2020
Reply to reply: please do. It is good that you inform the British public of what has been decided for them.
Bought the stamps for your Biden letter already ?
December 12, 2020
The best thing the EU can do to reduce emissions is to build new nuclear, increase renewable sources, develop grid-scale energy storage, build vehicle charging infrastructure and close Germany’s highly polluting lignite-burning coal-fired power stations.
The breathtaking hypocracy of Germany, in professing belief in the green revolution whilst closing their nuclear power stations and being one of the few countries in the world building new coal, defies belief. Their reliance on Russian gas is certainly a strategic mistake – but then Merkel is East German and grew up under the Stasi and communism.
December 13, 2020
The pro-nuclear lobby has, to a large measure in the UK, hijacked the movement to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions, and to replace them with a far more dangerous, even longer-term problem.
Germany on the other hand has a much stronger Green movement, and so they have been unable to achieve that there, to Germany’s credit.
(Please don’t bother with the “more people choke on carrots than have been killed by lions in the UK, so carrots are more dangerous than lions” nonsense either.
Thanks.)
December 13, 2020
Odd that Germany has returned to filthy lignite coal power generation having run scared away from nuclear.
France is about 70% nuclear generated electricity.
Your two favourite EU nations.
December 12, 2020
Whilst the UK has been following EU directives to close our coal fired power stations the Germans have continued to build theirs, the latest being completed in May this year.
The Germans are also building the massive Nordstream 2 pipeline to obtain gas supplies directly from Russia.
So whilst the UK is instructed to work towards a greener, more expensive and unreliable supply of energy the Germans are doing the opposite.
This is another example of the EU’s/Germany’s concept of the “level playing field”.
December 13, 2020
Original
“Renewable energy in Germany is mainly based on wind, solar and biomass. Germany had the world’s largest photovoltaic installed capacity until 2014, and as of 2020 it has 49 GW.
It is also the world’s third country by installed wind power capacity, at 59 GW in 2018, and second for offshore wind, with over 4 GW. Germany has been called “the world’s first major renewable energy economy”.
The share of renewable electricity rose from just 3.4% of gross electricity consumption in 1990 to exceed 10% by 2005, and reaching 42.1% of consumption in 2019.”
December 13, 2020
You talk of total capacity
Give us figures for actual power production
December 14, 2020
why would they beg Russia to supply all that energy?
December 12, 2020
If they really want to cut CO2 (harmless plant food for some idiotic reason) perhaps they could start by banning flight other than economy, ban helicopters other than for emergencies and private jets and cut Ministers & Prince Charles Ā£1 million annual plus personal travel spend. All climate alarmist meeting to be on line or banned. Plus get fracking. But clearly they do not really give a damn about CO2.
December 12, 2020
You have made an incorrect assumption that Joe Biden will be president of the United States however the result of the US election has not been finalised as yet but Biden will never be president of the USA. There is no such position as the office of the president elect.
You are quoting World Economic Forum “news speak” and “double think’ with regard to “Build back Better” ideology.
The EU has caused many problems throughout Europe and the sooner the UK are shot of this corrupt organsation the better.
Thankfully and for the sake of mankind, Donald Trump will be inaugurated as President on 20 January 2021.
Nothing can stop what is coming, Nothing.
People of the UK please wake up.
December 13, 2020
Paul Cuthbertson
Stop bening naive and writig nonsense, Trump is about to move out of the White House and he lost
December 13, 2020
Stop following the MSM and BBC. Turn off your TV, do your own research, take your head out ther sand and WAKE UP. Similarly millions more need to do the same.
Nothing can stop what is coming, NOTHING.
December 13, 2020
yes do your own research, wait at your nearest Stagecoach stop and buy a 2 days old newspaper from London. Stay informed.
December 14, 2020
Paul Cuthbertson
“Turn off your TV, do your own research, take your head out ther sand and WAKE UP.”
And go and live in a cabin in the woods.
December 12, 2020
Highlighting what is wrong in UK society.
Lord Patten of Barnes has branded Boris Johnson an āEnglish nationalist”. The MsM calls this man a Tory grandee.
Perspective, he refused Hong Kongers the right to democracy while he was their overlord, he lost a safe Tory seat to the Liberal Democrats. Found himself in the HoL because of his friends – no one elected him to speak on their behalf and he represents no one other than his own ego.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion but to be quoted as some authority once rejected by the electorate it is just a plain ole ‘Mr’ talking that’s all and should in a balanced society have had a right of reply of every individual that has the same standing.
The HoL is dead in the water has no purpose other to reward friends of friends. Just because we choose to honour somebody as a result of their altruistic service to the country, it is ego on their part getting ahead of its self to think there is any other purpose. The HoL along with how the honour system is now playing out is cronyism of the worst kind and has no place in a forward thinking democracy. Its as if a free democratic Government country is announcing to the world we are corrupt and here is the proof.
I have never known Patten to be a Tory or a Conservative
December 12, 2020
I’m a little concerned about the developing issue(s) in the Eastern Med’. The EU, Turkey and her/their neighbours will need to act with a high degree of prudence not least because Turkey is a member of NATO.
December 12, 2020
Appeasement hasnāt worked for NATO or the UN for 70 yearsā¦..sometimes you need to go toe-to-toe to resolve issues
We where 2 seconds away from giving up the Falkland Islands but thank god we had an PM who wouldnāt appease
Prudence = Appeasement
December 13, 2020
Thank God we had a First Sea Lord who stopped her accepting the invasion as a fait accomplit.
December 12, 2020
The EU summit is all about the furtherance of the Lisbon Treaty and the development of the United States of Europe
Theyāve moved onā¦.we should move on
December 12, 2020
JR, your continued obsession with the EU is worrying. Your blog is now reflecting the comments of the bunch of “denialists” you have attracted. Likewise, your government’s obsession with insulting the EU management at every opportunity, is not exactly how trade relationships are formed; but, is a good way to start a new Cod-War in local waters.
The history books will say that this decade has seen the UK suffer the most incompetent government it has ever had; and, increasingly appearing to be the most corrupt its had for centuries. That is for its ability to transfer money from the public purse to the private sector wallets of its sponsors. The virus has been like winning the Lottery for them.
A country run by a bunch of Public School boys and ageing Thatcherites, has no chance outside the EU.
December 12, 2020
Amazing they got a huge 80 seat majority whilst your beloved Labour got their worst result since 1935.
December 13, 2020
So the UK public have been cretinised?
Happens sometimes to countries.
It’s no cause for celebration.
December 13, 2020
Please keep insulting the wider electorate Martin.
Your attitude towards many millions of people will keep your lot out of power even longer.
December 13, 2020
Edward 2
I was actually only using your own approach about trolls, but it does not go down well with you , I wonder why?
December 13, 2020
Dismal response bill.
No real connection to the thread
Are you in the wrong place yet again?
December 13, 2020
Edward2
I’m afraid that says more about the electorate these days than good manners.
That helps to explain how 17m of them voted to leave the worlds biggest, wealthiest trading bloc without any idea what it actually meant or would involve.
Led by the nose by ambitious men for their own political ends, not the good of the country.
December 13, 2020
It is called free choice Margaret
Just because you dislike it doesn’t make it wrong.
December 14, 2020
It was ever thus.
December 12, 2020
Acorn, I thought you said the UK was independent within the EU? So why would remaining in the EU result in more competent government? Who else would be governing us? And the more difficult the EU makes it to just trade, the less we will trade with them. Your choice.
December 13, 2020
If something is clearly not true then I do tent to deny it is true. Unless or until someone can come up with rational arguments to show it is true. Do you have any such rational arguments?
I agree with you on recent government incompetence and indeed corruption. Particularly on the absurd over reaction to this nasty (but not much out of the ordinaryQQ) virus, the promotion of climate alarmism: renewable subsides, the woke lunacy, the damaging āequalityā laws and attacks of free speech, Blairās idiotic wars, HS2, electric car subsidies, the state monopoly NHS and schools, the largely worthless degrees for all, the 4 years of dithering on Brexit, the absurd over regulation of employment and everything else, the incompetent vaccine priority order…… But other decades have been appalling too. Heath, Suez, Blairās war on a lie.
December 12, 2020
What does it matter about Eu summit why go on- we have left
Also am surprised so many British would like to see Trump getting four more years- the guy is nuts- if you cannot see this then Wow!
December 12, 2020
So its okay for people to have a different viewpoint from you, but if they do theyāre idiotsā¦.thatās quite a narrow viewpoint in itself
December 12, 2020
Wow, then.
December 12, 2020
Multi, No, we have not left. We are still under EU control. Otherwise why is the EU trying to hang on to our fish so obsessively?
December 12, 2020
The MSM decided not to report on the Hunter Biden issue so as not to bias the election.
So what if it had been Barron Trump ?
It wasn’t. And it would not have been. Ever. We were meant to have been at war by Trump’s first Christmas.
Were it not for CV-19 he would have landslided it this year. He was a good President.
December 12, 2020
All of these magnificent long term goals!! Like King Lear, we shall do such things we know not, but they shall be the terrors of the earth.
How about taking step one, to get rid of all power stations that burn raw coal and ensuring that nations that don’t stop suffer for it. CO2 emissions from them per kWH generated are approximately double the CO2 emissions per kWH generated by gas fired power stations.
Mere exhortation will not be enough to bring about the end of power stations that burn raw coal. WTO rules should be changed so that any country running a dirty economy will have high tariffs imposed on its exports. If the WTO vetoes this change, we should set up a rival WTO that does impose such tariffs.
Clean (decarbonised) coal is OK but the process is expensive. The offenders are more likely to decommission coal fired power stations one by one and replace them with some other form of power station.
December 12, 2020
A leader’s job is to lead, to forge a path for others to follow , in light of that I look forward to Boris and all the other MPs voting for this greenery carbon zero stuff, to show us the way. To have a CO2 audit of their life styles and show how they going to achieve a zero carbon life, to be immediately implemented, so all us minions can look on in wonder and rush to follow in their foot steps. …..One can only dream I suppose, the reality is they are trying to inflict this on us, not them, no their air miles are not to be limited, their work is too important that that.
PS what is the carbon foot print of this Glasgow cop jamboree going to be? There is an immediate big saving we can make in CO2 , and a lot of hot air production as well!
December 13, 2020
BBC website.
The UK and EU have agreed to carry on post-Brexit trade talks after a call between leaders earlier on Sunday. In a joint statement, Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was “responsible at this point to go the extra mile”.
The pair discussed “major unresolved topics” during their call.
The two sides had said Sunday was the deadline for a decision on whether to continue with talks, with the UK set to leave EU rules at the end of the month.
The two leaders agreed to tell negotiators to carry on talks in Brussels “to see whether an agreement can even at this late stage be reached”.
They did not set say how long these talks would continue, but the ultimate deadline is 31 December, and time must be allowed for the UK and European Parliaments to vote on any deal that emerges before then.
IF neither side will back down, what on earth is continuing today – tomorrow etc going to achieve? An exercise in futility beyond understanding.
December 13, 2020
So we won’t be getting coal fired power from the Netherlands when the wind doesn’t blow if we get a cold spell in January. It is already clear that the National Grid Winter Outlook is hopelessly optimistic, with its assumption that wind would provide “firm” capacity of 16% of its nameplate (over 3.8GW – and we have seen wind output reduced to a few hundred MW already), and 3GW of net imports on interconnectors at peak times.
We have already been exporting to France to support their morning rush hours, cranking up our coal and gas generation to maximum to do so. With Germany scheduled to close 10GW of nuclear and 15GW of coal by the end of 2022, the idea that we can rely on offshore wind and interconnectors to keep the lights on is surely nonsense.
December 13, 2020
well done John…..
https://brandnewtube.com/watch/brexiteer-explodes-at-botched-brexit-bill_NrXvwFXhbykQAaY.html