Zach Elsbury
@zachelsbury.bsky.social
1.3K followers 1.4K following 5.4K posts
🏳️‍🌈 🇦🇺 - transport - politics - flying
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zachelsbury.bsky.social
We won’t agree, and quite frankly this represents yet another fuck up from that man that any other leader with half a brain would have avoided.

If he wants to rely on Powell for his China policy, fine. It’ll end in tears.
zachelsbury.bsky.social
If ministers were unwilling to provide witness statements, then yes the buck stops with Starmer … unless you’re going to try and throw an official under the bus like yesterday.
zachelsbury.bsky.social
Govt ending up in a situation where it can be accused of undermining the prosecution of people accused of spying for a hostile state is never a good look.
zachelsbury.bsky.social
If he is correct in his argument, it would have been best for the trial to continue instead of the current shitstorm he finds himself in.

No, I don’t think my views are blinding.
zachelsbury.bsky.social
Or from MI5:

Call me old-fashioned, but I don’t think you can or should make nice with states that actively threaten British nationals.
zachelsbury.bsky.social
Whataboutery is never a good retort.

However, since you asked, no Unding think the India trade agreement is appropriate given Modi‘s Russia policy.

As for other EU states dealing with China, this from a few days ago is noteworthy:
noahbarkin.bsky.social
Unusual times call for unusual measures. The Dutch government has not shied away from taking measures that infuriate Beijing when its security is judged to be under threat. Other European countries can learn from this.
on.ft.com/4haELYH
Dutch government takes control of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia
Move by The Hague escalates frictions between western countries and Beijing over access to high-end technology
on.ft.com
zachelsbury.bsky.social
Mind you, the recent successful prosecution of Bulgarian nationals under the old legislation set a lower bar than the current govt are insisting. Either Starmer is ignorant or playing dumb … neither are acceptable.
zachelsbury.bsky.social
Quite frankly, I do not trust them on this.
zachelsbury.bsky.social
At the same time, you shouldn’t do so when it could set the current govt up for similar disclosures in the future.

„But they demanded I set a trap for myself“ isn’t exactly great politics.
zachelsbury.bsky.social
The definition of „key statements“ is up to Starmer et al, however...
zachelsbury.bsky.social
At this stage, the prosecution going ahead would have been better, especially if it led to an acquittal for the (frankly, bullshit) reasons given by Starmer et al.

Now, China policy is a matter of public debate … which indent think is conducive to Powell‘s c. 2010 make nice approach.
zachelsbury.bsky.social
I’m sorry, but the „but we have to make nice [insert patronising nonsense]“ is ridiculous. Especially if it leads to HMG making decisions contrary to the UK‘s security interests.

But sure, let’s play nice in the hope of a quick quid and hope it doesn’t have long-term repercussions.
zachelsbury.bsky.social
You say that as if they’re just some other state with some less than savoury policies and not one that intimidates and harasses British nationals (BNOs) with bounties, reneges on treaty commitments, commits genocide (Uyghurs), and supports Russia in its war with Ukraine.
zachelsbury.bsky.social
Key statements. They’ve said they’ll release key statements. That still leaves plenty of opportunity for them to fuck it up.
zachelsbury.bsky.social
At the same time, that man‘s political instincts are atrocious and I can quite easily see it backfiring … especially if it leaves important questions unanswered.
zachelsbury.bsky.social
No, you don’t have to consciously soften your approach to a state that continues to support Russia in its war with Ukraine and threatens British nationals both in the UK and abroad. Need you be reminded about BN(O)s and HK dissidents that have sought - and been granted - asylum in the UK?
zachelsbury.bsky.social
I don’t care much for the previous govt. What I don’t like is the current govt‘s attempt to make nice with Beijing and this case is yet another example of an unacceptable approach that’s been taken without proper consideration or discussion.
zachelsbury.bsky.social
If she’s not or it the witness statements aren’t absolutely spotless, it’s a resigning matter for, at the very least, Powell. Doubly so if a private prosecution (as favoured by the Speaker) is successful.
zachelsbury.bsky.social
Maybe, just maybe, govt should have a coherent and contemporary strategy vis-à-vis China instead of trying to resurrect the „Golden Years“ of the past and trying to make nice.

This‘ll end in tears … and heads.
zachelsbury.bsky.social
Nor, I suspect, will it be helpful for the current government.

Not to mention, releasing witness statements to try and make the previous govt look bad doesn’t seem like a good precedent to set…
zachelsbury.bsky.social
YIMBYism and the wider politics of abundance is predicated on cheap, plentiful, and accessible housing, utilities, and infrastructure. How that constitutes an „apparent dislike for actual people and places“ I’m not sure.
zachelsbury.bsky.social
I think those making that critique mean, but don’t want to say, YIMBYs don’t care about the people who have *today* and places *as it stands today*
zachelsbury.bsky.social
„Brexit is bad … but we‘re not going to challenge it“
peterstefanovic.bsky.social
BREAKING: “There is no doubting that the impact of Brexit is severe and long lasting” says Chancellor Rachel Reeves

It’s about time!
zachelsbury.bsky.social
Hopefully we’ll be able to say the same thing about the leadership soon.