The Daily Telegraph, March 11, Robert Tombs
We are threatened by external and internal dangers. We see and feel them. Politicians, generals and diplomats sound the alarm. Our defences are weak. Our enemies are emboldened. Our streets are disorderly. What follows the stark warnings? Not much. Words do not announce action but cover inaction.
Rishi Sunak appeals for calm and urges the police to do their job: and they arrest an anti-terrorist demonstrator. Is the Prime Minister just a spectator? The Budget ignores national defence, which both parties say is inadequate. Does Jeremy Hunt disagree? Michael Gove seeks a new definition of extremism to enable the Government and the Civil Service to decide who are beyond the pale as partners and recipients of public money. Do they not know?
We could ascribe this to the tail end of an exhausted government, in office but not in power. But recent by-elections show little confidence that Labour would do better. I keep remembering a well-known Foreign Office minister saying privately that the problem with British foreign policy was that those responsible for it did not think it mattered. We have relied on the Americans, but soon they may not be there. Perhaps our foreign policy will soon matter more than is comfortable.
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