In this week’s episode of London Calling, James and I talk about my forthcoming trip to Iceland and the eye-watering expense of summer holidays, Putin’s muted reaction to the prospect of Finland and Sweden joining NATO and whether that gives the lie to the claim that Putin was ‘provoked’ into attacking Ukraine by NATO’s eastward expansion, the imminent WHO treaty that James thinks will transfer decision-making power from national parliaments to the WHO if there’s another pandemic but which I’m more sanguine about, the woke ninjas who attacked a group of feminists in Manchester, the extension of the terms of reference of the official Covid inquiry to include vaccine harms, and, in Culture Corner, the strange resurrection of Red Dawn, whether we’re going to see Top Gun: Maverick (I am, James isn’t), Severance, which I give one-and-a-half thumbs up, and Slow Horses, which James and I think is the best thing we’ve seen on telly in years.
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Toby’s argument that this treaty will have to be ratified by parliament and is therefore not worth worrying about doesn’t really make me feel better about it. We all saw Parliament trying its hardest to give sovereignty to Brussels during the Brexit debates, and we’ve seen them nod through extensions to the “emergency” covid legislation. Why should they suddenly find the necessary strength of principle to stand up to this latest affront to our liberties? If it ever does get to a vote (and I doubt it will) I can see it sailing through.The digital currencies and ID systems are almost ready to go too, so be prepared to own nothing and be happy.
What’s the difficulty with understanding the reasons why the Russians have not behaved in the same way towards Finland (so far) as they have with regard to Ukraine?
Firstly, Russia is currently engaged in what they term a Special Military Operation in Ukraine, which has not yet been resolved. Presumably, they will reassess their situation when it has been.
They stated their purposes in launching their SMO, which included “de-Nazification” and “de-militarisation”. Perhaps they meant what they said?
The same issues do not apply with regard to Finland. There is also the distinct possibility that Russian policy towards Finland might change – for a variety of reasons.
Whatever you want to believe about Putin’s intentions, the unarguable fact is that Russia will now have to accept 800 miles of new direct border with NATO and a strategic reversal in the Baltic Sea.
That’s the best that can happen for him.
Even if he wins in Ukraine, which looks increasingly unlikely, he will get even more direct border, because Ukraine will become part of Russia. This the same blunder Stalin made in WW2, when he agreed to carve up Poland between himself and Hitler, thus removing the buffer state.
From Russia’s point of view the invasion has been a disaster. From Putin’s point of view, thus far it’s been good because he’s having fun moving toy tanks around on the map.
“The plan is to drive us all into the city”.
You know, sometimmes I really wish I was in the country with some anti new world order, anti World Health Organization home schooling gun owning small state patriotic pickup truck driving gene therapy free maskless Americans. “Own nothing and be happy”? I bet the Amish are happier.
“I’ve been planning a holiday in Iceland”.(Toby Young)
What, the country committing genocide against cerebral palsy children?!
” ‘Keev’, as I’m sure you pronounce it”.
That reminds me, how do you pronounce Kenya (or “Parree” for that matter)?
Keen-yah.
“We are now in an era of global governance by organizations like the WHO”.
Surely this was just the point that the late, great Christopher Booker was making for years regarding Norway having more influence over the EU as an independent nation sitting as an independent nation (rather than having the EU negotiate on their behalf) on international bodies that make so much of the international law that the EU simply then enacts. UK independence? Freedom from the Brussels regime was only the first step.
“People like Bill Gates deciding if we can keep our bodily autonomy”. (James).
Ooh, violated by Billy Boy Gates!
The new tyranny…
“I don’t think you understand how global governments work” (James).
New world order – are we nearly there yet? And moreover, is there any way it can be avoided? Is Keep Britain Free going to storm their ramparts?
“The conch is with you”.
Fantastic Lord of the Flies reference!
Another one – the boys’ belief that if grownups were there, they would look after them, sort things out, stop them having their falling out – while in reality the grownups are having a war. So many parallels with the last two years of grownup madness…
How come Toby is so wrong on so many issues?? (And seems so pleased about it.)
{Asking for a friend.}
Oh he’s not as daft as it would seem, just controlled opposition.