The hold that Putin holds over Trump could be revealing that the Russians did try to fix WH2016

The hold that Putin holds over Trump could be revealing that the Russians did try to fix WH2016

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Straight from Russia’s undoubted success in staging the World Cup the biggest news today will be the secret meeting in Helsinki between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Normally when leaders meet they have aides with them but not so this meeting and this has set up a whole series of rumours and speculation. There are all sorts of theories around about the hold that the Russian president has over the occupant of the White House and, of course, it has…

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The Tory leadership – an alternative view

The Tory leadership – an alternative view

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Ian Whittaker on why Esther McVey might be the one to watch David’s piece yesterday was very insightful on the mechanics for how a new Conservative leader could be elected. I wanted to add a few thoughts on what has happened over the past week, and what are the betting implications on the political front. First of all, standing back, the last week has been, objectively, a disaster for Theresa May. That may seem harsh and it puts me odd…

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PB Video Analysis. Brexit: How We Got Here & What We Want

PB Video Analysis. Brexit: How We Got Here & What We Want

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So: Brexit. I’ve artfully avoided addressing it in my videos so far, but the time has come. Today’s video is about Brexit. Specifically, it addresses the process through which Britain joined the EEC, and then asks what the UK government actually wants from negotiations. Why have there been all these gyrations, when the EU has proposed a CETA/South Korea type relationship already? Be warned: this video will be equally annoying to Remainers and Leavers. Robert Smithson Robert tweets as ‘@MarketWarbles’…

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Rees-Mogg moves back into the favourite slot for next CON leader

Rees-Mogg moves back into the favourite slot for next CON leader

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With the pressure on Mrs Mays leadership there has been renewed interest in who will succeed her and a change in the favourite on the Betfair exchange. The previous long-term favourite, who was edged out by Javid, Rees-Mogg is now back there as the one the punters most fancy. A lot of course depends on when a contest takes place and it has been interesting that Moggsy’s hard brexit faction has not been ready to “press the button” on a…

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If there is a Tory leadership election, it could go turbo

If there is a Tory leadership election, it could go turbo

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We shouldn’t assume that the next one will follow the path of the previous Theresa May has had a surprisingly good week. For one thing, she’s still prime minister. This is, admittedly, setting the bar quite low but it was nothing like a foregone conclusion that she’d still be safe in post today, this time last week. Instead, she’s being praised for handling Trump’s visit with tact and dignity despite his provocations. That comes on top of the government having…

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So what do we make of today and what are the political implications?

So what do we make of today and what are the political implications?

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What a strange day with several massive demonstrations in London, Trump describing many of his comments in the Sun this morning as fake news and the events at Chequers and Windsor castle. The sheer scale of the protests appears quite exceptional and, of course, there is another round of them tomorrow. This, of course, was in sharp contrast to the pomp and Ceremony of the President’s meeting with the Queen. I find it difficult to draw conclusions and maybe we…

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Best of luck today Theresa – you are going to need it

Best of luck today Theresa – you are going to need it

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Given Trump’s unpopularity in the UK this might just help TMay https://t.co/it50kll40a — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) July 13, 2018 Trump humiliates and undermines the Prime Minister of the UK, in cahoots with Farage and Boris. Horrible. — Charlie Falconer (@LordCFalconer) July 12, 2018 With the American President, Donald Trump, on the second day of his visit to the UK the Sun is carrying an extraordinary interview with the President in which he gives his views on how Mrs May should…

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