It wasn’t quite a state visit — British prime ministers leave much of the pomp and ceremony to the monarch. But Rishi Sunak’s summit with French President Emmanuel Macron represented more than a casual catch-up between former investment bankers.
The two had plenty to discuss. Sunak wanted to use the talks to secure a comprehensive deal on small boats, and walked away with a new agreement, though his ambition to return migrants was a way off being achieved. But therewas much else to debate, not least security and defence co-operation from Ukraine to Russia and China.
Before the leaders and their teams even sat down, one change was notable: the conciliatory tone. Rather than making threats on television or passing Bills in the House of Commons, the two are meeting face-to-face and in good faith. The benefit of reforming the Northern Ireland Protocol isn’t just for those living on the island of Ireland, but for the whole of the UK and indeed the wider continent.
Brexit has made these bilateral relationships both more challenging but also more important. The UK is no longer in the room, sometimes until the small hours, hammering out deals with our European allies. As such, we must be more proactive in our diplomacy.
The UK and France, bound by a shared geography, underpinned by a lasting alliance and bolstered by cultural ties, must always work together for the common good of both our peoples.
Tough time for HS2
How old will you be before High Speed 2 (HS2) arrives in Euston — or even Manchester? The latest delay to the high-speed line arrived via two paragraphs in a broader written ministerial statement on infrastructure. No opportunity was given for immediate parliamentary scrutiny.
Ensuring value for money for the taxpayer on any project, let alone one as important and expensive as HS2, is vital. Yet it is not clear how further delay achieves this, rather it enables the Treasury to spread the cost over a longer period in order to meet short-term fiscal targets.
As a nation, we risk falling into a malaise where immediate crises mean we fail to invest in the future. The Elizabeth Line did not exist a year ago — it rapidly became the busiest rail line in the UK and will continue to have a transformational impact on how Londoners live, work and play.
Britain needs low-carbon, high-capacity public transport. Once it is built, the people will come, and we will wonder how we ever managed without it.
A welcoming festival
The Women of the World Festival kicks off today at the Southbank Centre, with star names in attendance. The three-day event celebrates women, girls and non-binary people, and also hosts debates on important topics including miscarriage, women’s safety and childcare. All are welcome, so come for the discussions, music and markets.
