Some might wonder why I have suddenly decided to be come so vocal, after two years of relative quiet since my resignation...
This summer I was invited to write a long article for the Texas National Security Review about the dilemmas facing conflicted civil servants, and the factors which led to my own resignation...which was published last month tnsr.org/2021/10/should…
As a long, academic article, I did not expect it to spark much interest, but because of the Brexit information it contained, it ended up being retweeted many times...
Following which I was invited to give a few media interviews - including on @tonyconnelly 's podcast, and BBC Radio 4, where I criticized this government's continued denial of the consequences of Brexit, though loyally refused to reveal the name of the "turnipgate" Minister
I was then attacked in the most vicious, highly personal terms by an old friend of mine, now an MP - who lambasted me both in private messages and publicly on twitter as "out of touch", "arrogant", "sneering" still fighting World War 2, "embittered", hating Britain, etc etc
Ad hominem attacks on my character, and motives rather than the substance of the comments I was making.
After getting over my shock, I realised this is part of a widespread, ongoing approach by members of this government to silence critics. This should not happen in a democracy. Moreover, good friends should be able to agree to disagree, respectfully.
I respectfully content that Brexit is not "done"; the consequences are growing more evident, and that many people are not "over it". I decided I will therefore not be silenced, as someone who loves my country, will speak out.
And made the astonishing claim, moreover, that noone cares about Brexit any more..
And made the astonishing claim that noone cares about Brexit any more, and that everyone is "over it"
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Rant alert. Mega rant alert. How about our leaders stop wringing their hands, issuing feeble criticisms , and actually DO something? Stop the moral equivalency, stop pretending we’re helpless. There’s plenty we could do if determined. Here’s a list for starters 🧵
We could stop selling arms to Israel, consistent with U.K. arms policy which supposedly prevents sales to countries where they could be used for oppression and human rights abuses. We’ve surely gone beyond the doubting stage?
We could establish a no fly zone over Gaza, as we once did to protect Kurds in N Iraq from Saddam Hussein. We protected Israel from Iran. How about we protect Palestinians from Israel?
Yesterday I posted my outrage at this @thetimes and @Channel4News exposure of royal family finances. I regretted my intemperate language and so deleted the tweet. But, re-reading the reports again, I feel there are ample grounds to be genuinely shocked. Consider these snippets 🧵
The Duchies benefit from favourable tax terms, which give them a competitive edge over other private businesses or property holders.
They make money off the state, including schools, hospitals, prisons and even the armed forces, there to defend the realm of which they are head, and in whose forces they have served.
My head today: I’m not sorry Nasrallah is gone. I’m worried about regional escalation. I’m anguished at so many civilian deaths. I’m worried there’s no exit or end strategy. I don’t support Iran, or Hamas or Hizbollah. I don’t like Netanyahu. I abhor occupation of West Bank 🧵
I dread what might happen to the hostages, if any still alive. I fear for my friend Nabil, and his family, in Gaza. I fear for chaos and more loss of life in Lebanon. I also understand why so many in the region are celebrating Nasrallah’s death.
I’m glad if Iran regime is put on the back foot. I’m glad they don’t have a nuclear weapon. I’m worried more terrorist attacks will occur. I believe Netanyahu is motivated by his own political agenda. I hate the settlers. I understand why Israel had to respond to 7 October.
I’m voting @LibDems. Fortunately, in my constituency, they’re best alternative to Tories anyway. But Labour cowardice and dishonesty on Brexit deserves to cost them votes. Just because I blame the Tories most for our current plight doesn’t mean I must let Labour off the hook. 🧵
It’s tough to write this, because I want Cons to receive historic thumping, and I certainly don’t want to give the snake oil candidates of Reform any opening. I support Starmer as our next PM. But dishonesty over Brexit will handicap ability to grow UK economy and improve lives.
Until our politicians address the elephant in the room, UK governance will continue to stumble and lag, and more warped policy making will ensue, trying to paper over the damage and lies of Brexit, rather than properly redress them.
I wasn’t always this way. I was once a loyal civil servant, trying to do my job conscientiously. Even after I resigned, I largely kept my head down, until the growing dysfunction and dishonesty in govt compelled me to speak out, and say “this is NOT normal!” It’s been a journey🧵
@mrjamesob on @TheNewsAgents recently described how it wasn’t even Brexit per se that bothered him (tho’ he personally opposed it) but the way in which it was delivered and the ensuing damage to Uk democracy and institutions which outraged him most. I feel exactly the same way.
There are days when cold fear grips my insides at the internal chaos inside UKand US. The world is on fire, authoritarianism on the rise, international order breaking down, polarization, extremism, disinformation, cultural wars. It’s 1938, but no Churchill or Roosevelt in sight.
I remain flabbergasted at the Tories’ gall in continuing to claim black is white, up is down, etc, including the ludicrous claim that they are good stewards of our economy, which has allegedly “outperformed” other major economies. Read this BRUTAL extract from today’s WSJ: 🧵
“Britain has had one of the worst performances of major economies since pandemic, with lower growth, higher inflation and weaker investment than its peers.” “Britain also suffered one of the developed world’s highest per capita death tolls in first year of the pandemic”…
“Economic performance can seldom be tied to any leader’s specific decisions, and the shocks of recent years hit almost everyone. Still, Britain has been uniquely bad at coping with them”….