John Kelly

What is missing here, particularly in relation to the UK role in the current conflict, is a clear sense of what our interests and objectives are. If there is a lesson from Iraq, it is surely that wars of choice without a clear objective or endpoint are likely to linger with us far beyond the initial moment of intervention. - Alistair Carmichael

"Every bomb that is dropped on Iran – and dropped by Iran on its neighbours – will create ripples that spread far and wide.

The Prime Minister – and those who would cheerlead us into another war in the Middle East – would be wise to reflect upon that legacy."

@amcarmichaelmp.bsky.social

How the right-wing British press became Trump’s trumpet Fleet Street is happy to ignore the real history of transatlantic relations to score points against Keir Starmer

Rather than concentrate on the wildfire war he's just started, Trump is spending his time on the phone with British journalists slagging off Keir Starmer. Their dictation skills turn out to be excellent www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/lab...

I won’t remain silent on this cynical war | The Observer Israelis overwhelmingly back the strikes on Iran, but the most patriotic thing to do is to ask ‘to what end?’

“Military victories create the next generation of hatred…leaving far more wounded & extremists. This is not shallow pacifist naivety, but sober reading of what happens to societies addicted to power & recognise no language other than that of force.” Abraham Burg

observer.co.uk/news/opinion...

Calling @libdems.org.uk attending Spring Conference in York this weekend!

Concerned or confused by the direction of world events? Don’t miss this stimulating, challenging fringe session with journalist Peter Oborne in conversation with Layla Moran.

#SilenceisComplicity
@ldfpalestine.bsky.social

Great news today: we were told that @libdems.org.uk have written to the Minister for Women and Equalities regarding the EHRC and Supreme Court ruling. Urging the Minister to appoint a joint committee of cross-party MPs and peers to conduct post-legislative scrutiny of both the

The Mandelson Files released today are damning.

The fact that Starmer appointed Peter Mandelson knowing that he had continued a relationship with Jeffery Epstein after his conviction in 2008 shows serious lack of judgement.

This release is only the beginning of this scandal for the Government.

Jesse Jackson Made It Possible for Democrats to Speak About Palestine Activist James Zogby pays tribute to his late friend, who was the first politician to welcome Arab Americans into the Democratic Party - and even met with Yasser Arafat when others wouldn't.

Jesse Jackson Made It Possible for Democrats to Speak About Palestine
open.substack.com/pub/zeteo/p/...

The proscription of Palestine Action was a "grave misuse of terrorism laws" Responding to the High Court's ruling that the ban on Palestine Action is unlawful, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Max Wilkinson MP said:

“The Lib Dems have argued all along that the proscription of Palestine Action was a grave misuse of terrorism laws. Placing PA in the same legal category as ISIS was disproportionate and risked undermining public trust and civil liberties.” 🔽 @libdems.org.uk

www.libdems.org.uk/press/releas...

Israel’s attacks on Gaza persist as ’Peace Board’ set to meet The number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since the start of the ceasefire has surpassed 600, days ahead of the inaugural session of the ’Board of Peace’.

More than 600 Gazans have been killed in Israel’s attacks since the “ceasefire” was announced. Will the so-called Peace Board face this fact - and consult Palestinians - when it meets in the US this week?

#WhatCeasefire ?

www.newarab.com/news/israels...

Arundhati Roy pulls out of Berlin film festival over jury comments on political films Indian novelist Arundhati Roy announced on Friday she was pulling out of the Berlin Film Festival after the head of the festival jury said filmmakers should avoid overtly political films.

The goddess of not such small things resists attempts to silence her on Gaza

Arundhati Roy pulls out of Berlin film festival over jury comments on political films - www.reuters.com/world/india/...

EU leaders condemn Trump’s Gaza ‘Board of Peace’ at Munich conference European foreign policy chief says current body bypasses UN mandate that supported its creation

EU leaders condemn Trump’s Gaza ‘Board of Peace’ at Munich conference - https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/eu-leaders-slam-trumps-gaza-board-peace-security-conference

This is truly terrifying, like the Nazis we are simply erasing people from existence, and it is happening without anyone questioning it.

Sign the Petition Erasing a Word Erases a People: Reinstate Palestine in the British Museum

Erasing a Word Erases a People: Reinstate Palestine in the British Museum - Sign the Petition! c.org/Kn5Z7Trhwp via @UKChange

Good motion. It would be good to see Labour and SNP MPs who have the same views joining in and signing this motion.

Very much so Ed. A more mature Home Secretary would have at least said she would study the ruling and reflect on it first.

This ruling shows that proscribing Palestine Action was a grave misuse of terrorism laws.

Labour must accept its mistake, drop its appeal and stop wasting taxpayers' money suppressing civil liberties.

Degrading counter-terror powers is a genuine threat to national security.

Election Maps UK @ElectionMapsUK Bearsden South (East Dunbartonshire) Council By-Election Result [1st Prefs]: 🔶 LDM: 38.1% (+14.9) 🎗️ SNP: 17.2% (-6.2) ➡️ RFM: 15.5% (New) 🌹 LAB: 14.2% (-1.9) 🌍 GRN: 8.1% (+0.9) 🌳 CON: 6.2% (-17.0) 👶👶👶👶 SFP: 0.8% (New) No Inds (-4.7, -2.3) as previous. Liberal Democrat 'Gain' from Conservative - Stage 5. Changes w/ 2022.

Fantastic win in East Dunbartonshire, where we’ve beaten the Conservatives into 6th place.

Right across the UK, former Conservative voters have heard Kemi Badenoch tell them loud and clear that they’re not welcome in her party – and are backing us instead.

Kemi Badenoch says she doesn’t want centrists in her party.

Instead of focusing on what people actually want, like an NHS that works, she’s choosing to imitate Farage.

If you’re sick of the name calling and just want things fixed, join the Liberal Democrats.

Jackie Pearcey selected by Lib Dems for Gorton and Denton Local campaigner Jackie Pearcey has been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Gorton and Denton in the upcoming by-election.

Jackie Pearcey selected by Lib Dems for Gorton and Denton

🚀The @LibDems campaign to re-take Sheffield Hallam at the next General Election is officially GO!

🔶Fantastic to mark the launch with fab candidate Sophie Crossthorn, and dozens of activists!

💥Awesome response on the doors for Sophie - and for Michael, standing for council!

The U.S. occupation of Gaza has begun The plans for Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” show that the goal is not just to make Gaza a playground for the wealthy, but to put it under permanent American occupation.

READ: The plans for Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” show that the goal is not just to make Gaza a playground for the wealthy, but to put it under permanent American occupation.
mondoweiss.net/2026/01/the-...

Terrific turnout at today’s national peace march for #Palestine in London, including large numbers of @LibDems

@pscupdates.bsky.social
@ldfpalestine.bsky.social
@youngliberalsuk.bsky.social

Photos from today’s national peace march for #Palestine in London today.

#SilenceIsComplicity

London Today 🇵🇸

We walk for those who can’t walk free.
We speak for those forced into silence.
We carry the names, the homes, the dead, and the right to live with dignity.
This march is for justice, not pity.
For freedom, not favours.
For Palestine….today, and until it is free.

We need to know how the Government plans to deal with Iran - and with Donald Trump’s plans for Iran. @jamesmaccleary.bsky.social
and I have written to the Defence and Foreign Secretaries today asking them to hold Iran’s leaders to account and to tell Parliament their plans.

Lib Dems are positive about our country and hopeful about the future.

Things have been tough and there are those who want to exploit that for their own ends - not to make lives better or our country stronger.

Lib Dems will continue to stand up for a better future. Join us.

#WhatCeasefire?

#WhatCeasefire?
#WhatPeace?

#WestBank #Gaza #Palestine

The Blogs: Will the Voices Raised in Davos Save Gaza From Trump’s Clutches? From the blog of Susie Becher at The Times of Israel

Will the Voices Raised in Davos Save Gaza From Trump’s Clutches?

Important piece by Susie Becher in @timesofisrael.com Israel

#Gaza #WestBank #Palestine

blogs.timesofisrael.com/will-the-voi...

The families of our brave troops killed in Afghanistan - including those from Bicester Garrison - deserve an apology from the US Ambassador to the UK. Donald Trump has said many things I disagree with but none have made me as angry as this disgraceful slur on NATO troops.