Lee Rotherham: The Government’s weakness on defence is only rivalled by the weakness of their defence

Mistrust between the Treasury and MoD is holding back UK defence

Resolving the impasse between the two departments is urgent

Top Tory slams Reform’s ‘unfunded commitments and gimmicks’ after Kemi Badenoch ruled out pact in wake of Makerfield by-election

Sir Mel Stride has hit out at Reform UK, accusing Nigel Farage’s party of “unfunded commitments and gimmicks”.The Shadow Chancellor was speaking to GB News after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch ruled out a pact with Reform in the wake of the Makerfield by-election. Andy Burnham stormed to victory in the Manchester seat, with the Conservatives finishing a distant fourth on two per cent. “The battle for the next Prime Minister won’t involve Kemi Badenoch at this stage. According to the polling, it's going to be a straight race between Andy Burnham and Nigel Farage,” Camilla Tominey said. “No, not at all. Nobody can foresee what's going to happen in three years' time in a general election,” Sir Mel insisted.“Kemi has a very clear direction for our party. It is a very sensible direction. “Unlike reform, we will go out there and spray around all sorts of unfunded commitments and gimmicks left, right and centre.“We have properly and carefully thought through policies that are all funded and will be good for the economy,” the Shadow Chancellor added. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

Should Keir Starmer follow Mikel Arteta’s leadership method? | Letters

Readers respond to Jonathan Freedland’s article on Arsenal and one of its most famous fansCongratulations to Arsenal on winning the Premier League. However, I fear that Jonathan Freedland’s allegiances have led him to a flawed attempted analogy (Arsenal’s title win should be studied by politicians everywhere – and especially Keir Starmer. Here’s why, 22 May). Keir Starmer has already achieved success after a long period in the wilderness – winning a landslide victory in the 2024 general election.The analogy goes further: both achieved success by being boring – Starmer by avoiding radical ideas, Arsenal by shutting up shop and relying on set-piece goals. Both also took advantage of their main rivals’ weakness. The Tory party was in disarray, while both Manchester City and Liverpool have underperformed – achieving fewer points than usual or expected this season. Mikel Arteta and Starmer took advantage of structural advantages: Labour relying on first past the post and Arsenal the lax refereeing of fouls at corners.Peter BreitenbachLondon Continue reading...

A broken reed vs. Netzach Yisrael

When outside forces try to tie our hands or misread our enemies, our only true defense is our internal clarity, our own independent strength, and our deep faith in Netzach Yisrael.

‘I don't get it’: Angus Taylor criticised for attacking One Nation instead of Labor

Sky News host Caleb Bond questions Opposition Leader Angus Taylor's strategy after he again targeted One Nation. “Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has doubled down on his criticism of One Nation after a strident speech last night,” Mr Bond said. “He described the party as a column of smoke, compared them to the Greens and said they'd unleash an eternity of pain. “This morning Mr Taylor was on the attack again, on the ABC saying One Nation's policies were incoherent and here on Sky News with Pete Stefanovic. “I really don't understand what Mr Taylor's playing at here. “I don't get what the Liberal Party thinks it's going to achieve by attacking One Nation.”