Financial competence underpins how I’ve done this job as Mayor ✅

Having run a major business I know how important balancing the books are, which is why the WMCA has done that every year I’ve been Mayor 🤝🏻

AND I’ve done it without ever having to charge you an extra penny 👍🏻

Both David Cameron & Carl Bildt are right. The sooner both 🇬🇧 & 🇪🇺 can build a new strategic partnership to confront the threats & challenges we face, the better for the whole of democratic Europe.

‘What’s it all about?”
The question that stumped Bertrand Russell…

The idea that a ceasefire in Ukraine, without a Russian withdrawal from Ukrainian territory, would bring about peace is illusory - as the ceasefire in 2014 showed. Those who argue for stopping support to Ukraine are singing Moscow’s tune - whether they know it or not.

🎙In the latest episode of the #STRPodcast , we discuss how Russia's invasion of Ukraine has energised governments in their efforts to combat modern kleptocracy. Join Dr Kinga Redlowska, Tom Keatinge and special guest Zoe Reiter to learn more: bit.ly/4aPDn9T

This is so important- if you’re not sure whether you should apply or not, or if you have the ‘right’ skills/experience, please do apply anyway- we would love to hear from you!

In the latest video commentary, Professor Malcolm Chalmers, our Deputy Director-General, assesses the significance of the government's announcement to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2030.

Watch the full video here: rusi.org/news-and-comme…

The section in this video from 1.04, in which Margaret Thatcher critiques Pepsi and Shirlie's 'Heartache', before rocking out to the Thrashing Dove's 'Beautiful Imbalance', is one of the most surreal things ever broadcast on British TV. youtube.com/watch?v=YdTkNz…

A shrewd analysis by The Man in Seat 61 . Worth reading the entire thread.

650 years ago today on #StGeorgesDay the poet Geoffrey Chaucer was given a rather unusual royal gift, a daily allowance of a pitcher (roughly a gallon) of wine...

The original letters patent for the grant are on display The National Archives until the end of the month

As Rishi Sunak heads to Germany to meet Chancellor Olaf Scholz today to discuss defence and security cooperation, revisit Ed Arnold's paper (with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung) which explains how they can deepen their cooperation to benefit European security.
rusi.org/explore-our-re…

In my column for The Times and The Sunday Times this week, I write about how the The Church of England can recover a sense of social mission by building a new generation of beautiful, charitable almshouses. Highly recommend looking at the great work AlmshouseAssociation are doing

thetimes.co.uk/article/how-th…

Very sad news to read of the passing of Frank Field. A wonderful human being who worked tirelessly fighting injustices. I was privileged to work alongside him on modern slavery issues. A term he first coined. He inspired so many. RIP Lord Field of Birkenhead

I am very sorry to hear the news about Frank Field. He was an inspiration to those who entered Parliament in the 1980s. He had a hinterland with expertise in child poverty issues, and an independence of thought and action which we deeply admired. A good man. Thank you, Frank 🙏

Frank Field was respected by both his political allies & his opponents. He did his homework, researched the evidence before deploying it with passionate advocacy for the causes he championed. Courteous in debate and personally kind,his death is a great loss to public life. #RIP

In 1977, Jorge Luis Borges, one of the most influential 20th c. Spanish-language writers, told William F. Buckley (whose first language was Spanish) his reasons for feeling, age 78, that English was 'far finer' than his native tongue. Right or wrong, I love his savor for language

'NATO must urgently capitalise on the increased interest in the Alliance and communicate its benefits to the public' writes Ed Arnold in today's #RUSICommentary .
rusi.org/explore-our-re…