I remember Notre Dame de Paris as very impressive but gloomy. Now look at it. Wow!
Peter Ricketts
8,344 posts
Peter Ricketts
@LordRickettsP
Former diplomat, Vice-Chair @RUSI_org, Bayeux Tapestry Envoy, Hon Pres Normandy Memorial Trust. New book Peace Makers out 7 May geni.us/PeaceMakers.
Joined February 2016
- This letter brought tears to my eyes. It’s the Europe I believe in, the Europe that past British statesmen like Churchill, Bevin and Eden played such a prominent part in calling into being. What has happened to us?The most remarkable & significant letter to the Times of my lifetime
- Spare a thought for our highly professional civil service. They are getting on calmly with running the country while the politicians run round in ever-decreasing circles.
- The ramping up which has been truly impressive in this crisis has been the supermarkets’ response. Their distribution system has been resilient to panic buying, their home delivery drivers provide a vital social service and cashiers have stayed at their posts heroically. Hats off
- This rubbish is unworthy of a British Foreign Secretary. The EU isn’t a Soviet-style prison. Its legal order has brought peace and prosperity after a century of war. Our decision to leave was always going to leave us worse off. The only punishment is the self-inflicted variety"If you turn the EU club into a prison, the desire to get out won't diminish it will grow" - Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt addresses EU leaders during party conference speech bbc.in/2NORntX #CPC18
00:00 - Take a moment to step back from the details and reflect on the sheer absurdity of breaking away from our nearest neighbours, who take 45% of our exports, without even a basic trade deal.
- Macron has gone out of his way to signal the importance of the 🇬🇧🇫🇷relationship on this Remembrance Day. The drive up the Champs Élysée in a command jeep is very unusual.At Macron’s invitation, Keir Starmer is the first UK leader to attend the Nov 11th Armistice commemoration at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris since Churchill in 1944 🇫🇷🇬🇧
- The decision not to participate in #Erasmus is short-sighted and mean-spirited. The programme transformed the life-chances of thousands of Brits, many from disadvantaged backgrounds. The proposed UK alternative from a standing start will not be a full substitute. Here’s why. 1/7
- Dominic Grieve is right to demand publication. The Leadsom reply here “Many select committee reports are produced and the government has to respond properly. It cannot respond in haste” is irrelevant. Govt simply have to publish. Their response comes later
- The last 48 hours have shown Starmer in a new light - calm and decisive, convening effectively and setting out a plan of action. It felt that Britain was back in its old role of leadership on European security. Many pitfalls between here and lasting peace. But bravo team UK.Post London, the new geopolitical dynamics of the search for peace in Ukraine: the UK and France will work together with Ukraine on a plan to “stop the fighting”, and then put that plan to the US, says Starmer
- What an excellent way to begin our life as an “independent “ country needing new trade agreements.....by massively defaulting on our debts!In an exclusive interview in The Sunday Times tomorrow, Boris Johnson has a message for the EU: That £39bn is ours.
- We have passed the Bill that makes it impossible for the UK to leave the EU on 31 October, unless the Commons votes in favour of such a course. Over to the Commons to finish it and send it for Royal Assent. A remarkable achievement to pass such a Bill in face of Gov’t opposition
- This really is an extraordinary statement from @michaelgove. He knows perfectly well that without a deal the UK will lose access to EU databases and alerting systems. These are used intensively by UK Police. Alternatives will be MUCH slower. In security cooperation, speed=safety
- What a tribute to the German people. After their generosity in welcoming in a million asylum seekers less than a decade ago, this is a resounding answer to reports of far-right groups plotting mass expulsion of migrants.This is Berlin today. Calling for resistance against the Far Right. All around Germany, people took to the streets in the last days. History tells us: We cannot wait until it is too late and Fascists are in power. We have to stand up to them. NOW.
