Chris Whiteside's Blog

The pledge: committing to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2030 The last few years have seen two unprecedented international events: a global pandemic and a war in Ukraine. Despite the impact of rising inflation and our generous cost of living package on the public finances, we have still been able to increase defence spending to a record £50 billion a year – including an uplift of £24 billion, which is the largest single investment in defence since the end of the Cold War. However, the security environment is deteriorating, with threats to the UK and its interests increasing. An axis of authoritarian states with different values to ours like Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China are increasingly assertive, acting together and making common cause in an attempt to reshape the world order. We need to deter threats now because, while the cost of doing so is significant, the cost of inaction would be higher still – both in terms of our security and our prosperity. That is why the Con

"Today is a landmark moment in the defence of the United Kingdom. We’ll spend an extra £75 billion in defence over the next six years.      ▪️ Protecting our security and prosperity      ▪️ Backing Ukraine for the long-term      ▪️ Leading the way in European security" Rishi Sunak , UK Prime Minister

Today the   Prime Minister announced the largest-ever military aid package for Ukraine   on a visit to Poland, as we stick to our plan to work with global partners to defend freedom and democracy in Europe, and deliver long-term security for the British people.   If Putin is allowed to succeed in this war of aggression, he will not stop at the Polish border. That is why the Prime Minister went to Warsaw today to deepen ties with our Polish partners and commit £500 million of additional funding for Ukraine.  This will deliver much-needed ammunition, air defence, drones, and engineering support, taking our total military aid for Ukraine to £3 billion this financial year. We will also send our largest-ever single package of equipment from the UK, including strike and air defence missiles, to help push back the Russian invasion.  This record package of military aid will give President Zelenskyy and Ukraine the support they need to win this war. We will continue to do all we can to work wit

 

"We welcome the Met Police's apology, and recognise the complexities of policing fast-moving public protests, but simply being Jewish, or of any other race or religion, should never be seen as provocative. Anyone of any religion should be free to go about their lives and feel safe doing so." Home office spokesman , responding to the recent issues with the policing of pro-Palestinian marches in London.

 

I am pleased to learn that Sir Mark Rowley has indeed agreed to meet the Board of Deputies of British Jews in the coming week. Good. I hope he takes strong action to address their legitimate concerns. Here is their statement explaining why they asked for a meeting:

"I am grateful to the United States House of Representatives, both parties, and personally Speaker Mike Johnson for the decision that keeps history on the right track. Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to protect it. The vital U.S. aid bill passed today by the House will keep the war from expanding, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both of our nations to become stronger. Just peace and security can only be attained through strength.  We hope that bills will be supported in the Senate and sent to President Biden’s desk. Thank you, America!" President Zelenskyy on the US House of Representatives vote yesterday to finally approve the bill for aid to Ukraine.

 

The Metropolitan police have an unenviable job in dealing with the mass protests and demonstrations from various sides over the tragic conflict in the Middle East. But, and I greatly regret having to write this this, the way they are discharging their responsibilities gives rise to serious concern. The CEO of the Campaign Against Anti-semitism, Gideon Falter, has released film of the way he was treated by police officers a week ago for trying to use the public highway in the vicinity of a pro-Palestinian march. A sergeant in the Met told him, “You are quite openly Jewish, this is a pro-Palestinian march, I’m not accusing you of anything but I’m worried about the reaction to your presence.”    Mr Falter has emphasised that he had been walking in the capital after attending synagogue and was not there to counter-protest. In the clip another officer said to him: “There’s a unit of people here now. “You will be escorted out of this area so you can go about your business, go where you want

The US House of Representatives has approved sending $60.8bn (£49bn) in foreign aid to Ukraine. Democrats and Republicans joined together after months of deadlock over renewed American support to help Ukraine fend off Russia's invasion. Representatives could be seen waving small Ukrainian flags as it became clear the package was going to pass. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted to say he was "grateful" for the decision, which he said "keeps history on the right track". He said: "Democracy and freedom will always have global significance and will never fail as long as America helps to protect it. "The vital US aid bill passed today by the House will keep the war from expanding, save thousands and thousands of lives, and help both of our nations to become stronger." Representatives also approved bills to send foreign aid to Israel and provide humanitarian relief to Palestinians in Gaza, and give security assistance to Taiwan. UK Foreign

We've just returned home to Moor Row after spending the afternoon in Yorkshire. Following a serious accident today (20th April 2024) the police closed the A66 in both directions between the Keswick and Rheged roundabouts. Eastbound traffic was not being allowed onto the A66 at the Crossthwaite roundabout near Keswick,  and Westbound traffic was not being allowed onto the A66 at the Rheged centre roundabout at Redhills, an traffic joining the road in between was being stopped or diverted onto side roads. There are massive delays in consequence. It is currently expected that the road will re-open between 9.15pm and 9.30pm, but for those wishing to avoid the closed area, the National Highways diversion routes advice earlier this afternoon was as follows Eastbound: Road users are advised to follow the "Hollow Diamond" diversion symbol on road signs At the Crosthwaite Roundabout with the A591 take the exit for the A591 towards Bothel. At the junction with the A595 turn right t

Out first thing this morning campaigning in Bigrigg for Mike Johnson, Conservative candidate for Police, Crime and Fire Commissioner (PCFC) for Cumbria. Here is something nice to relax to after a campaign session.  

 

Today the Prime Minister announced plans to overhaul the benefits system to ensure people that are fit to work are not left behind on benefits, sticking to the plan to get more people into work and grow the economy. Before the pandemic, we had the second lowest inactivity rate in the G7, but since then, a significant number of working aged people have become inactive due to long term sickness which has in large part been driven by mental health conditions.  That is why the Prime Minister is unveiling a package of welfare reform measures to tackle the unprecedented rise in economic inactivity and ensure our benefits system is better targeted at those who need it most. Our eight point plan for welfare includes reforming the fit note system, reviewing the disability benefit system, and investing £6 billion to get people into work.

Following this week's meeting of the council, Egremont Town Council has today published the following statement on Facebook here : "Egremont Town Council is saddened to report that recently, one of our Town Councillors was at the receiving end of malicious remarks on social media where a Town Council employee was also named.  Town Council employees act on the direction of the Town Council and it is not acceptable to drag them into disputes or issues that people may have with individual Town Councillors or Egremont Town Council as a whole. Any kind of abuse towards Councillors and/or employees whether it is face to face or hidden behind the screen of social media is NOT acceptable and the Town Council will utilise their right and report such issues to the police. Unfortunately, there is evidence that abuse is so high that well respected Councillors are leaving their post and it is deterring future potential Councillors from standing, thankfully it is only a minority of people w

  "It takes considerable knowledge just to realise the extent of your own ignorance." Thomas Sowell , American Economist Similar comments have, of course, been made by many people over the centuries, one of the first being Socrates.

Today official data confirmed   inflation has fallen again to 3.2 per cent , showing that the Conservatives' economic plan is working and that we have achieved one of the Prime Minister's top five priorities, which he took office last year.  Inflation is falling faster than expected, down from over 11.1 per cent to 3.2 per cent, the lowest level in nearly two and a half years, helping people’s money go further.  This welcome news comes on top of our cuts to national insurance, which save the average worker £900 a year, so people should start to feel the difference as well as see it in their pay cheques.

"They used their people like sandbags." Elizabeth Whiteside My late mother's comment on how the former Soviet Union treated their own soldiers as expendable during World War II.  Today's news of at least 50,000 confirmed deaths among Russian service people - and the actual total is probably a lot higher during the current illegal and uinprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine shows that Putin is still doing the same thing. 

 

There are not many issues in politics on which I have changed my mind. Nor am I a big fan of banning activities which many people enjoy. But where there is enough evidence I can be persuaded to change my mind. And the issue of smoking is an example. Until very recently I would have said that smoking should be discouraged but not banned. I still think that attempting to completely ban the practice from tomorrow would not work and would end up like prohibition in the USA. However, there is just too much evidence of the damage that cigarettes do, not just to the people who smoke, but also to those around them through passive smoking and to the NHS as probably the largest cause of easily preventable death, to ignore. It has been suggested that smoking eventually kills two thirds of those who smoke - causing 80,000 deaths per year in Britain. There is now a proposal on the table in parliament to phase out this activity by making illegal for anyone born after 2009 to ever buy a tobacco. Afte

 

President Zelesnkyy's take on the Iranian attack on Israel: "Ukraine condemns Iran’s attack on Israel using “Shahed” drones and missiles. We in Ukraine know very well the horror of similar attacks by Russia, which uses the same “Shahed” drones and Russian missiles, the same tactics of mass air strikes. Every effort must be made to prevent a further escalation in the Middle East. Iran's actions threaten the entire region and the world, just as Russia's actions threaten a larger conflict, and the obvious collaboration between the two regimes in spreading terror must face a resolute and united response from the world.  The sound of "Shahed" drones, a tool of terror, is the same in the skies over the Middle East and Europe. This sound must serve as a wake-up call to the free world, demonstrating that only our unity and resoluteness can save lives and prevent the spread of terror worldwide. The world cannot wait for discussions to go on. Words do not stop drones a

"Last night the UK intercepted and destroyed multiple one-way attack drones - launched by Iran and its proxies - that posed a threat to civilian lives in the Middle East.  Additional Royal Air Force  aircraft were deployed this weekend to bolster our presence. I thank our armed forces personnel for responding so quickly and effectively to such a serious threat. Their professionalism is second to none. All aircraft returned safely to base."