Europe needs to get real on defence; Britain needs to get real on Europe
13 February 2025
Post
13 March 2021
2. A year ago today, Boris Johnson threw a 'baby shower' party (almost certainly at public expense) for his partner.
3. A year ago today, President Macron announced the closure of all French schools and universities.
4. A year ago today, Boris Johnson was reported in the British press as saying 'we are not, repeat not, closing schools.'
5. A year ago today, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar closed all Ireland's education institutions.
6. A year ago today, the New York Times reported alarm among epidemiologists that the UK government was taking a different approach to the rest of Europe.
7. A year ago today, Germany closed all schools, nurseries and universities.
8. A year ago today, French horse Al Boum Photo won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in front of massive crowds.
9. A year ago today, France banned all large gatherings.
10. A year ago today, the Premier League asked for clear guidance about whether to cancel games. None was given. But they were told Cheltenham was going ahead without alarm. The Premier League made its own analysis, and cancelled all matches.
11. A year ago today, New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern cancelled a one-year anniversary commemoration service for the 51 people killed in a far right terror attack in 2019.
12. A year ago today, the UK death toll reached 20. Ministers said their 'thoughts and prayers' were with the loved ones of those who died.
13. A year ago today, WHO head Tedros Adhanom urged governments around the world" 'Do not just let this fire burn.'
14. A year ago today, Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance was reported explaining the role of herd immunity in controlling the virus.
15. A year ago today, Spain declared a national emergency, as the death toll hit 120.
16. A year ago today, the government changed its guidance on PPE, advising NHS staff that the strongest protective equipment was not required, expect in the most high-risk situations.
17. A year ago today, the German federal government and Länder met to agree they would impose border controls with Austria, Denmark, France, Luxembourg and Switzerland.
18. A year ago today, Boris Johnson lifted restrictions on people arriving from Wuhan, where the virus was first found, and Iran and Italy, previous and current epicentres.
19. A year ago today, the US banned travel from most of Europe.
20. A year ago today, Boris Johnson urged people with a bad cough to stay indoors.
One year on, we have the highest deaths per million rate of all large countries in the world.
3 minute(s) read
Recent Posts
The Greatest Threat Humans Just Can’t Stomach with Yuval Noah Harari
Episode 2 is available right now for TRIP Plus members. Sign up at therestispolitics.com What can the Aztec Empire's catastrophic failure to understand Cortés and the Spanish conquistadors teach us ... Continue18 September 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
572. Trump’s Next Middle East Crisis and Reform’s £72m Megadonation
Is the Houthi’s seizure of one of the world's most critical waterways the clearest proof yet that Trump's Iran war has become a catastrophe? With the very people building AI now calling for a pause,... Continue17 September 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
16 September 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
571. Rory and Alastair Challenge Ed Miliband on Israel-Palestine
Why has Ed Miliband gone further than any previous foreign secretary in confirming the occupation of the Palestinian territories as illegal and placing sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Ban... Continue15 September 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Join Alastair Campbell and Mishal Husain live at Cadogan Hall
Persevilience: The word the world needs now is the title of Alastair Campbell’s new book. It is also the starting point for a conversation with... Continue14 September 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
206. How Putin’s War Changed Finland Forever (Sanna Marin)
Following Putin's war in Ukraine, how politically challenging was it committing Finland to join NATO? What was it like becoming the world's youngest sitting prime minister at 34? Why did a scandal ove... Continue14 September 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
“Our Generation Was Lied To”: Two Gen Z MPs on Fixing Politics
To hear the full series “The Gen Z Story”, sign up at the restispolitics.com – use your student email for a discount How do you get older colleagues to take you seriously when you become an MP ... Continue11 September 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
570. Why Trump Acts Like a Russian Asset and Miliband’s West Bank Sanctions
After Trump’s latest betrayal of Ukraine, why does he act like a Russian asset? Has John Healy already missed his moment to be a radical Chancellor, and does Ed Miliband’s move to impose economic ... Continue10 September 2026
Posted by Alastair Campbell
Thank you Alistair for reminding us all of these momentous events. Many of which I had forgotten about. I actually predicted Boris would be gone around this time, but so obviously wring. A real pity.
Thank you fir still caring .
#GrossNegligenceManslaughter and a photo of the morally-bankrupt disheveled lying charlatan, together with a request to retweet to all, needs to start trending on Twitter.
A year ago today, Sweden did f78k all and their figures are about the same as the UKs….so what is the point of the article?