Spectacular piece by Anthony Seldon. A #MustRead
The damage Boris Johnson has done is beyond measure
Britain has been left weaker by a prime minister who demeaned its institutions and sullied all those who came into his orbit
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thetimes.co.uk/article/boris-… 'Boris Johnson’s latest protestations of foul play, calumny and dastardly scheming are all of a piece with his actions throughout his life. All are the product of his deep character flaws.'

As Boris Johnson's political career ends in disgrace and humiliation, it's worth returning to this 2019 piece by Sir Max Hastings in The Guardian
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#BorisJohnson #MaxHastings
theguardian.com/commentisfree/… 'I have argued for a decade that, while he is a brilliant entertainer who made a popular maître d’ for London as its mayor, he is unfit for national office, because it seems he cares for no interest save his own fame and gratification.'

Germany leads the way.
From cannabis to refugees, Scholz plans to leave progressive mark on Germany
Incoming government praised for stance on LGBTQ+ rights and easing immigrants into jobs.
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ft.com/content/8bfd5c… 'Germany’s new coalition partners have struggled to reach consensus on everything from taxes to pensions to climate change. But one thing unites them: a desire to be the country’s most socially progressive government in more than a generation.'

"Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison
1/5 Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. Against stupidity we are defenseless.

How Israel Weaponizes International Law
The country has manipulated rules of engagement to serve its colonialist project in Palestine. Legal scholars must face this fact head on.
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bostonreview.net/law-justice-gl… 'The long-standing war on Gaza has much in common with European colonial wars - including Israel’s legal acrobatics to justify and legitimize its attack on Palestinians.'
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"Fear is dangerous. It is the enemy of reason. It suppresses balance and judgment. And it is infectious". An excellent piece by Lord Sumption #thread
thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/c… "What has changed? For one thing, we have become much more risk-averse. We no longer accept the wheel of fortune. We take security for granted. We do not tolerate avoidable tragedies."

'The UK is at the “end of the queue” for a deal to allow data to continue to flow freely with the EU after Brexit, according to a senior European data official.'
#brexitreality #thread 1/5
ft.com/content/875a90… 'Wojciech Wiewiorowski, the EU’s new data protection supervisor, said the UK was “13th in the row” of countries that are negotiating data deals with Brussels. Allowing the UK to skip the queue “would be a little bit unfair towards those who have already prepared themselves....'