Another squirrel

Andrew faces being cut from line of succession

Sir Keir Starmer will consider passing a law to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession.

It is understood that any change to legislation would take place after the police investigation into the disgraced former prince is concluded.

The historic move follows the arrest of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has been stripped of the title of prince but remains eighth in line to the throne after Prince William, Prince Harry and their children.

The chap is 66 years old and eighth in line to the throne. Even Keir Starmer must know there are more pressing issues.

For example, who is next in line for No. 10? 

The Truth Is Out There

Trump directs US government to release files on 'alien and extraterrestrial life'

In a post on Truth Social, the US president claimed his decision was "based on the tremendous interest shown" and called the matter "extremely interesting and important".

He wrote: "Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters."

Meanwhile, here in the UK an alien landing may have occurred already. 

 

 

The Legacy of Tony Blair

Joseph Dinnage has a useful CAPX reminder of the damage done to UK politics by Tony Blair and our inability to make any serious political attempts to tackle it. 

The Right needs its own Tony Blair

• Tony Blair is Britain's worst constitutional vandal – but you have to marvel at his effectiveness
• Voters are crying out for a new constitutional settlement
• Despite 14 years of Tory rule, the legacy of Tony Blair remains inescapable

Say what you like about him – and I often do – but Tony Blair remains inescapable. Perhaps that is why, almost 30 years after he first entered No.10 as Prime Minister, Channel 4 has a new three-part series following his journey from Fettes to Iraq...

Through a comprehensive package of constitutional reforms, Blair utterly reshaped the state. It was he who established the devolved assemblies of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, stoking the disunity that now characterises our kingdom. In 1998, he passed the Human Rights Act, incorporating the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic law, thus outsourcing our ability to control inward migration to judges in Strasbourg. Not content with handing over decision-making to unelected officials abroad, he formalised this arrangement at home with the creation of the Supreme Court and a thicket of quangos.

The whole piece is well worth reading as a reminder that without an explicit and comprehensive reversal of Blair's vandalism, the UK has no worthwhile political future. Reversal may be politically impossible of course, there is no evidence that enough voters have any idea of the lasting damage Blair inflicted.


Both Badenoch and Nigel Farage could do worse than to watch Channel 4’s Blairite love-in, because voters are through with tinkering. Over the coming months and years, it will be up to either leader to prove that they have a plan to overhaul Blairism once and for all, and rebuild the state in a way that unlocks growth and opportunity through conservative means.

Squirrel

Ed Miliband 'should end mad ban on North Sea oil' as study eviscerates net zero plan

Britain cannot "just stop oil" despite government attempts to wean the country off fossil fuels which are making the UK poorer, dirtier and less secure, a report has warned. A paper from the Institute of Economic Affairs shreds Labour's case for ending North Sea oil and warns that it will damage the economy, drive up emissions and threaten the country's energy security.


Look, a squirrel -


Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on his birthday

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on his 66th birthday. Thames Valley Police said has been held on suspicion of misconduct in public office. His arrest was revealed today after police were seen at Sandringham, where the King's younger brother is staying. Six unmarked police cars arrived at King Charles' Norfolk estate at just after 8am this morning. Onlookers said the group of eight people were in plain clothes 'but appeared to be police officers'. One man appeared to be carrying a police-issue laptop.

Spotting Winners

Taxpayer on the hook for millions as solar company faces administration

Taxpayers are facing a potential multimillion-pound blow as a leading British solar energy developer risks the threat of administration.

Hive Energy is preparing to appoint administrators just months after securing a £60m taxpayer-backed loan from HSBC to launch itself as a global operation.

The loan was announced by the UK Government last November at the UN’s COP30 climate conference to show how the UK was supporting the global expansion of solar. The loan guarantee was personally endorsed by Tim Reid, the chief executive of UK Export Finance Agency (UKEF), who said he was “proud” to support Hive.

Discreet contacts

Marco Rubio holds discreet contacts with Raúl Castro’s grandson, Axios reports

Axios says the exchanges underscore the Trump administration’s view that the 94-year-old revolutionary remains the island’s main decision-maker despite no longer serving as president. A senior official quoted by the outlet said he would not call them “negotiations,” but rather “discussions” about the future...

Axios portrays Rodríguez Castro, 41, as a consequential figure in Raúl Castro’s security and family circle, and says Rubio’s team views him as a potential bridge to younger, more business-minded power brokers who may see value in a U.S. rapprochement.

It remains unclear whether the back-channel will evolve into a formal process or concrete measures. Axios frames the outreach as part of a broader strategy that combines intensified pressure on Havana with efforts to identify alternative interlocutors and test transition or deal-making scenarios outside the Cuban government’s official hierarchy.

It is not easy to read this without being reminded of the Godfather films which is probably how the Trump administration sees it.

Axios says the exchanges underscore the Trump administration’s view that the 94-year-old revolutionary remains the island’s main decision-maker.

And any Cuban who doesn't see it that way...

Occasional Cortex