The conclusion is spot on

When a group of defense insiders gathered in Whitehall, the home of the British government, last month to discuss how prepared the United Kingdom and its allies were for a war they believe could come in the next few years, their verdict was pretty grim: They are not. https://cnn.it/49bBhS2

Canceling the northern leg of HS2 was an act of insane self-harm

“Top priority”.

More great journalism from London Centric Really encouraging to see increasing quality local media with rise of @millmedia.bsky.social @kentcurrent.news and many others

Positive news! Though that's double the budget for grassroots sport in England... which could really do with an uplift

Oslo and Copenhagen have separately, and on the same day, confirmed significant additions to their naval forces, both aimed at strengthening surveillance and protection of undersea infrastructure and strategic maritime areas in the North European waters. breakingdefense.com/2025/12/norw...

‘Autistic men in suits talking loudly and self-importantly at each other in jargon that nobody understands’ A decent summation of the defence pundit class, who delight in arcane language. As such, I've written a guide to the most annoying phrases out there. Let me know what I missed!

Way outside my area of expertise but this doesn’t paint an encouraging picture of the country’s underseas defence capability. open.substack.com/pub/robinjpo...

This may in part explain why France is particularly targeted by cyberattacks and disinformation: "In few years, both France and the UK — the only European nuclear weapon states — may be simultaneously under control of populist far right parties that are at best skeptical of European solidarity."

🚨SPIES, DAY TWO: Counter-Terror Police were reported to a suspicious man spying on Lulworth Firing Range - flying drones and fixing metal devices in trees. The call was made during the same time that a suspected Russian spy was near to the military base. inews.co.uk/news/suspect...

Quite breathtaking story - military grade drones at Dublin airport which flew on the path Zelensky's plane took. The drones reached the flight path of his plane exactly the time it should have been there, but just missed it because Zelensky arrived ahead of schedule:

It does not get mentioned enough, but Norway is one of the UK's most critical allies (and vice versa), especially for matters of territorial defence. Its good to see the relationship appears as strong as it is right now.

Thanks for the nod in London Playbook @politico.eu

This week on the blog, a deep dive (pardon the pun) on the Russian undersea threat to the UK’s home waters, and whether it is equipped to deal with it

Have started a Substack. Will mainly be concerned with security and foreign affairs with digressions into UK politics. To kick off, an account of Labour’s challenges on asylum, immigration, and its own leadership. First time having a go at writing outside my niche, so all feedback very welcome!

As myself and 100s of other officials were working overtime on the response in Feb 2020, Johnson was pottering around Sevenoaks doing his shopping while parts of Italy locked down Bereaved families suggest misconduct in public office - is that hyperbole or a real potential risk?

If individual politicians want to keep using it that’s one thing However is it appropriate for smorgasbord of public authorities - every arm of national and local govt + agencies (including 100s of police accounts!) - to remain given the proliferation of illegal hate speech and racism?

Germany on course to hit 3% of GDP on defence by 2029 - placing orders now Meanwhile in the UK we still have no clarity on spending plans to 2.6% in 2028, orders to industry on hold, plus £17bn hole remains from 2023 equipment plan And questions on plans to fulfil obligations under NATO article 3…

EU foreign ministers will be briefed tomorrow about a spate of sabotage attempts and airspace incursions that Russia’s neighbors say marks a “very dangerous phase of escalation” by the Kremlin, and one that endangers civilians.

One of Labour’s most egregious shortcomings for government has been the absence of a plan for adult social care

Nuts policy

The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think. New piece from me. open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...

What a stitch-up www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Has been very clear for a very long time the tax pledges would not hold - e.g. further defence spend beyond 2.7% in 2028 is unfunded But also - incredible Reeves did not learn her lesson and keep more room for manoeuvre on tax at the last Budget - instead committing to not come back for more..!

X is a cesspit led by an unhinged billionaire who is desperately trying to stir up civil war in Britain. Nobody with any sense or decency should be there. No organisations, government departments, or politicians should be there. Everyone who is, is enabling this monster.

Interesting comments from @donald-tusk.bsky.social in the Sunday Times UK’s “sweet illusion” that it would be spared in NATO-Russia war must end Criticises perception of NATO’s eastern flank as a second order concern, compares to UK and France treatment of Poland and Czechoslovakia in the 1930s

I think we may be disappointed

How does this timid quote tally with what Keir Starmer said in his speech - and in his interviews - just a fortnight ago?

Absolutely legit to argue for changing the electoral system to something more proportional (and compulsory, perhaps young people might find politicians better serve them if they actually voted) - but this is an awful take!

This is the result of Farage and Jenrick’s far-right, divisive rhetoric. Hard working, responsible people feeling afraid for their future. Disgraceful.

The US takeover of TikTok may allay fears of Chinese influence. But it sends a worrying signal to allies who are increasingly dependent on US technology.

The government want more coercive powers for the state against protests, and the main opposition party wants more coercive powers for the state against migrants. Our political-media culture continues in a loop where the response to every perceived problem is yet more coercive powers for the state.

A key driver of this is elites inhabiting online spaces that increasingly exaggerate and promote ideological extremes. The average British voter is not a culture warrior.

In Poland authorities have captured a Russian intelligence operative carrying explosive-filled cans, drone components, and SIM cards. In Lithuania, explosives were discovered in a cemetery. All part of a big Russian plot to commit terrorist attacks across Europe.

In wake of US H-1B visa debacle - and appreciating UK gov says it will double global talent visas - is this really best way to hold onto that talent?

If it is the existential fight the PM says, and one he is engaged in - would be good to hear more about why he disagrees with Reform? Usually he either accepts their main grievance is correct, or if they overstep a mark he gives a flat footed response days later? Perhaps I’m missing something

Part of the problem of N10's 'strategy' to counter Reform is the unwillingness to argue for shared moral/political norms The extreme right will keep pushing envelope - and are doing so alarmingly quickly (mass deportations now?) due to lack of push back from what should be the bully pulpit of gov

The Malicious Communications Act 1988 is a great reminder that the UK could pass silly, illiberal and overbroad laws long before the internet was a mainstream preoccupation, too.

Was just listening to @lewisgoodall.com interviewing Peter Kyle on LBC and think he did actually use the phrase "legitimate concerns" at one point God help us

This needs explaining

Good grief

When in Warsaw I heard of bottom up pressure on shelters and alerting after public had witnessed Ukrainian systems Their government taking action on both fronts - committing 0.3% of GDP Poland is a NATO member, if they are targeted we will be too. UK so far from a viable civil protection system

This emergency alert system came up during the "Wargame" podcast simulating Russian missile strikes on the UK. Great, Brit team thought, we can use it to tell the public what to do, but then realised they had no idea what to tell them because oops, no civil defence. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

get why she had to go but irksome she lost her job to something quite complex and, let's be honest, reasonably minor in the grand scheme of things, when shadow cabinet members get to merrily hang out with Eddie Swastika without any repercussions

Who could have possibly foreseen this

The odd statements about flags are indicative of a void where a confident vision of civic nationalism should be - the only alternative to increasingly ethnocentric narratives promoted by Reform and some in the Tories

Interesting piece from Minna Reading about Finland/Sweden athletics champs couldn’t help but reflect on the upcoming Ashes series against Australia - best frenemies indeed! Serious point is that with a more unreliable US, in Europe and beyond Britain must also renew and deepen its old friendships