Transatlantic security, freedom & democracy; Research Fellow @UniKentPolitics; formerly @IRIglobal & @Europarl_EN
UK
Joined November 2013
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About time after the Government spent months fence-sitting on this.
Now let’s get Rosebank opened up!
UK government gives go-ahead for gas production from Jackdaw field in North Sea bbc.in/4yzB0mv
Igor Merheim-Eyre retweeted
China, as a state-led and state-driven economy, cannot offer fair trade in an open market. Chinese businesses always follow political priorities, and the state is always deeply involved in business.
By 1917 Wilhelm was in no position to discuss peace because he was effectively no longer setting policy. From economic mobilisation to war operations, that effectively passed to the army, which was becoming ever more radical.
Not the same as Putin. Analogies do not always work.
Oh dear, Peter. In March 1917 the Kaiser's ally, Emperor Karl of Austria, proposed precisely such a peace settlement: restoration of Belgian sovereignty and Alsace-Lorraine to France. He urged Kaiser Wilhelm to agree.
It's called the Sixtus Affair. Rather unfortunate to lecture others on knowing “very little about war or politics” while overlooking one of the most remarkable peace initiatives of the Great War.
Like Putin, Wilhelm rejected the approach because Germany's military leadership still believed victory was possible and refused to surrender its territorial gains. A catastrophic miscalculation. Instead of negotiating from strength in 1917, Germany fought on to unconditional military defeat, revolution and the Kaiser's abdication in 1918.
The real lesson of 1917 is the folly of confusing the ability to continue a war with the wisdom of doing so.
I remember times when the Conservatives led on economic security and protecting the UK from Chinese threats.
I find it odd that our peers now prefer to question the EU and its actions rather than work with allies on addressing key questions about security, jobs, or manufacturing
Gone is the luxury of hedging. Successive UK governments (and not just Brexiteers) thought they could have their cake and eat it.
UK can work with its natural partners - or it can become a dumping ground for the Chinese & become increasingly vulnerable to coercion
So this is a big deal, and perhaps even *the day Brexit delusions die*. For the EU threatens to restrict automotive sector access unless the UK follows its trade and investment rules. And China threatens to retaliate if the UK does what the EU wants. politico.eu/article/china-th…
We’ve been here before, and it’s tiring to have this conversation yet again.
Change through trade is an illusion
Igor Merheim-Eyre retweeted
"Conservatism starts from a sentiment that all mature people can readily share: the sentiment that good things are easily destroyed, but not easily created. This is especially true of the good things that come to us as collective assets: peace, freedom, law, civility, public spirit, the security of property, and family life, in all of which we depend on the cooperation of others while having no means singlehandedly to obtain it. In respect of such things, the work of destruction is quick, easy, and exhilarating; the work of creation slow, laborious, and dull." How to Be a Conservative
The Chief of the General Staff candidly saying what our political leaders should be honestly communicating to the country.
🇬🇧 Are Britons ready for the sacrifices needed to strengthen national security?
Speaking to soldiers in Catterick Garrison the head of the British Army warns Britons must face a “frank conversation” about the sacrifices needed for defence and security🔗forcesnews.com/services/army…
Igor Merheim-Eyre retweeted
Informative thread about how the PRC views the risks of connected devices--the kind of devices and connectivity for which Beijing wants the rest of the world to rely on the PRC.
Meanwhile, the EU once again kicked the can down the road, bought off by some reductions in hybrid car exports and vague promises on rate earths.
This will only weaken the EU’s position further rather than restoring some illusory trade balance
NYT: “For now, time favors Beijing. Each passing month adds more than $30 billion to China’s trade surplus with Europe, supporting hundreds of thousands of Chinese industrial jobs. Meanwhile, European manufacturers continue to weaken.”
@KeithBradsher
nytimes.com/2026/10/07/busin…
Igor Merheim-Eyre retweeted
Bloody hell. A former head of the BND, Germany's foreign intelligence service, has been arrested on suspicion of espionage. sueddeutsche.de/politik/hann…
Igor Merheim-Eyre retweeted
Václav Havel believed that truth was better than fear, freedom was worth fighting for, and Europe’s future belonged to everyone. He devoted his life to those convictions and helped change the course of history.
On what would have been his 90th birthday, I’m remembering my friend with gratitude for his courage, his love of our common humanity, and the work we did together to bring the Czech Republic into NATO and build a Europe no longer divided.
We also shared a love of music. So today, I’m playing a few notes in his honor. Happy birthday, my friend. The world could use more of your spirit.
Loving the absolutely packed space for Conservative Friends of Ukraine! Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦
#CPC26
Untill the Greeks spend 20 years blocking UK (re)accession over the Elgin Marbles or some other non-issue….
Tony is right but why 10 years? Could be done more quickly. The UK should not seek to replicate the deal it had before. The world has changed so much. She could seek a reformed EU - stronger external borders to stop bogus asylum seeking, enhanced defence and security, more competitive economically, tech leadership, a global actor by scrapping unanimity on foreign policy. The UK rejoining would not be a normal enlargement. UK is the 5/6th biggest economy and military power in the world. It would not be the prodigal son coming home so much as a fresh start that benefits us all 🇬🇧🇪🇺
I agree, Whitehall ignored “Made in Europe” until a few weeks ago. Months of potential outreach wasted.
Change of PMs is no excuse for this poor showing, rather highlights lack of vision and strategy towards the EU despite all the reset talks.
Igor Merheim-Eyre retweeted
Lithuania’s Defence Minister (@Lithuanian_MoD) @robertas_kaunas @LRTenglish after meeting Elbridge Colby, U.S. Under Secretary of War for Policy:
“Two U.S. military battalions will arrive in Lithuania at the end of October. Preparations are already underway.”
One of them will be a heavy battalion.