Photo of Robert Peston with the text: “This government does not believe in regime change from the skies.” So said the PM to the “father of the House of Commons”, the Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh, about why UK jets are not bombing Iran. This was the prime minister declaring independence from the US President Donald Trump. It was a big moment.

Has Keir Starmer just made a declaration of independence from President Trump? 🇬🇧🇺🇸

Robert thinks so

Read his full blog on the UK’s Iran stance here: itv.com/news/2026-03...

And watch #Peston on Wednesday at 9pm on X and YouTube or at 10.45pm on ITV1 as we discuss the latest 📺

Nicole Lampert O @nicolelampert X.com Fascinating lunchtime talk between former PM Tony Blair and Robert Peston for the @JewishNewsUK The contents of the conversation are subject to Chatham House rules but was fascinating on his thoughts about Iran and Gaza. He also said such moving words about the Jewish community that I felt quite tearful.

Tony Blair in his own biography says it was his crackpot enthusiasm for Israel bombing fuck out of Lebanon for no sane reason that cost him his job, and that he has no regrets. Make of that what you will.

The War No One Wants - and the People Calling for It Farage and Badenoch are beating the drums for escalation. The public response appears to be: abso-fucking-lutely not.

The British public learned something from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Apparently some politicians didn’t.

While Farage and Badenoch push escalation with Iran, most Britons are saying something very simple:

Abso-fucking-lutely not.

Call off King's US state visit over Iran war, urge Lib Dems The party says the planned trip should be scrapped after Donald Trump's criticism of the UK's response to the war.

What planet is Badenoch on?

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the trip should not be turned into a "political event".

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Churchill photo with quote; 'This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is perhaps the end of the beginning.'

He's no Churchill.......

Q: You said the war is 'very complete.' But your defense secretary says 'this is just the beginning.' So which is it?


TRUMP: You could say both

everyone is extraordinarily desperate to pretend that Donald Trump is a coherent individual with a real plan who understands what is happening in the world and none of that is true

Just remember, people actually voted for ignorant airhead. I blame the education system!

Allow Richard Tice to serve as an example, as to why we need Parliamentary, electoral and legislative reforms in politics. Being born into money, taking over your parents business after they’re deceased, should not be a prerequisite to serve as a politician. We need better representatives.

Richard Tice also says Reform would help the US and Israel “in any way they saw appropriate.”
Amazing how quickly “sovereignty” turns into obedience.

So that’s Reform’s version of “Britain first,” apparently.👇

Richard (I don’t pay tax) Tice
Or
Richard (the Russians told me to say it ) Tice

She’s got a spreadsheet
She’s checking it twice
And we’re going to find out
Who tweets just like Tice

Jones reputation thrives on saying things that are controversial so I don’t think he was taking much of a chance regarding his reputation but good for him for saying that in any case.

But did the parents listen?

So Badenoch, Farage and Blair think the Iran war is a great idea? Hmm … | John Crace Kemi may be all in favour, but at least economic realpolitik is forcing her to take a slightly different tack

So Badenoch, Farage and Blair think the Iran war is a great idea? Hmm … | John Crace

"Ms Badenoch has ranked MPs based on how well they are performing on X, Facebook and LinkedIn", the Mail on Sunday alleges.

When faced with a choice between integrity or idiocy, Badenoch always chooses idiocy. This is the mindset of a politician powered by X. A dullwit who thinks ‘likes’ by bot farms = public opinion.

Genuinely can’t think of a worse way to decide on performance…
Badenoch thinks ‘likes’ from bot farms and algorithmically promoted far-right grifters = public opinion.
She’s lost it. And won’t be able to find her way back to reality or credibility from here.

I wonder when Badenoch and Farage will realise that they have made a huge political error

A reminder that Nigel Farage, Kemi Badenoch and the entire Conservative-supporting press have spent the past week lambasting Keir Starmer for not joining the Iran war.

Here's what has happened since then to public opinion

Would this be the same Iran conflict Kemi Badenoch has just spent an entire week calling Keir Starmer a coward for not wanting to join?

Have Farage, Badenoch & Johnson volunteered to be on the front line yet?

Another win for Kemi Badenoch.

when you write up and file your piece before the press conference.

So Badenoch, Farage and Blair think the Iran war is a great idea? Hmm … | John Crace Kemi may be all in favour, but at least economic realpolitik is forcing her to take a slightly different tack

www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

Labour is stubborn in defeat because it knows this: we face the belated end of the political 20th century | John Harris In Gorton and Denton, I heard again and again that people wanted seismic political change – Labour and the Tories are no longer part of that conversation, says Guardian columnist John Harris

By election out of the way and The Grauniad is back tipping buckets of shit to tip over Labour. Galling for subscribers like me to see our money being spent to send at least 3 hacks (Harris, Toynbee and obviously that bell end Owen Jones) to do the dirty on them.

Welsh Legends by D Parry Jones (1953 first edition), illustrated by Ivor Owen.

I was interviewed by a newspaper and asked what the most beautiful book I own is. Tough choice but I went for this.

Dreamt I spent a very pleasant afternoon with Owen Jones 👀

Worried about freedom of speech? Then what’s happening at the Open University should terrify you | Owen Jones The OU has capitulated to a pro-Israel lobby group about the use of the term ‘ancient Palestine’. The wider context is impossible to ignore, says Guardian columnist Owen Jones

Worried about freedom of speech? Then what’s happening at the Open University should terrify you | Owen Jones

What if we had a war and nobody showed up?