Green realism
HUGE credit to Rishi Sunak for recognising what the eco-zealots will not.
That no matter how ruinously quickly we dash towards net zero, it won’t make the slightest difference to climate change unless China and other major polluters cut their own emissions.
APHuge credit to Rishi for demanding ‘real action’ from China on climate change[/caption]
The PM’s call for the Chinese to show “real world action” demonstrates a common sense that completely escapes Labour, which has been persuaded by Ed Miliband to pursue net zero at practically any cost to British families.
Indeed, Rishi’s intervention ahead of the COP28 jamboree comes as Labour’s own science minister admits his party’s flagship policy to splurge £28billion a year on green projects wouldn’t only take eye-watering borrowing.
It would also mean cutting funding or raising taxes elsewhere.
Voters have at least been warned.
Back on track
IT’S too late for commuters already driven off the tracks. And those passengers who have no choice but to use trains won’t easily forgive the deliberate misery the rail unions have caused them.
But the RMT union finally voting to end their series of crippling strikes is some long-overdue good news.
Now the handsomely paid train drivers of Aslef need to see sense as well.
Hospitality businesses and Christmas revellers deserve better than the punishment beating that’s in store for them next week at the hands of this bunch of increasingly isolated hardliners.
History maker
HENRY Kissinger’s realism and hard-nosed view of international relations were allied with wisdom, charm, humour — and an uncanny ability to see the bigger picture.
He bestrode the diplomatic stage at a dangerous time for the world, but helped end the Vietnam War, paved the way for landmark US-Soviet arms control talks, built ties between Israel and its Arab neighbours and brought a pariah China into the diplomatic fold.
No wonder American presidents still sought his counsel long after he had ended his official service.
The world has lost a geopolitical giant with his passing.
Fairytale’s end
FAIRYTALE Of New York is the song which, to millions, says: Christmas is here.
So it lends added poignancy that Pogues legend Shane MacGowan should lose his long battle against ill-health just as the festive season begins.
Tributes will ring out for him this year, and for many more years to come.
And countless drinks will be raised to his and Kirsty MacColl’s timeless anthem.
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