Above, Vincenzo Camuccini’s famous painting, “The Death of Julius Caesar” to be found in the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna.
The Ides of March is the day on the Roman calendar marked as the Idus, roughly the midpoint of a month, of Martius, corresponding to 15 March on the Gregorian calendar. It was marked by several major religious observances. In 44 BC, it became notorious as the date of the assassination of Julius Caesar, which made the Ides of March a turning point in Roman history.
I know I am becoming something of a broken gramophone record; but I did blog before Donald Trump was elected as the 47th POTUS, that that election was going to be the most significant US presidential election since the one held in 1940.
I think I have been proved right!
Much has been made of what many call “conspiracy theories” about Mr Trump being a Russian asset.
NB: An “asset” in this context is NOT the same as an “agent”. An agent for a foreign power is acting unlawfully assisting that foreign power against the interests of their own country. That naturally is highly illegal! An asset is where a person acts in such a manner as to advantage a foreign power which can be deemed to be acting against the interests of their own country. Such however is often deemed to be a matter of opinion and thus the “agent” need not be acting illegally.
The above YouTube video (https://youtu.be/SkEn86RIsOk) by “ABC News In-depth” was posted recently as is just under 20 minutes in length.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australia’s national broadcaster. It is principally funded by the Australian taxpayer and is administered by a government-appointed board.
The implications – for Europe – are deeply, deeply concerning for it betokens a US withdrawal from the defence of Europe.
The implications for the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic are profound.
The Right Honourable, Sir Keir Starmer, PC, KCB, KC, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Member for Holborn and St Pancras may well be faced with a not completely dissimilar choice as that faced by The Right Honourable Neville Chamberlain PC, FRS, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Member for Birmingham Edgbaston in September 1939 when Mr Chamberlain took the decision to declare war on Nazi Germany.
You see, Hitler was gambling on the British Empire not declaring war when German troops crossed the Polish frontier attacking Poland. The Nazis had faked their “raison de guerre” alleging that Poland had attacked them!
This is quite a common thing invaders do!
Now, at the time there were many in the UK who were desperately keen to take the fig leaf that the Nazis were offering them; to “denounce” Poland for their aggressive actions and thus enabling the British Empire to remain neutral.
This would have avoided the British Empire taking part in the war. It would have resulted in a Nazi Europe and all the dreadful consequences that would have flowed.
It is entirely possible that Sir Keir will be offered “a deal” by Mr Trump.
NB: The tariff that Mr Trump has placed on UK exports applies to aluminium and steel!
Well thanks to the bonkers “Net Zero” policy and the obsession such as Mad Miliband has with CO2 the UK does not produce any aluminium! It’s steel production is minimal and specialised.
In other words, the UK is not affected to any significant degree by the imposition of US tariffs!
IF Mr Trump is willing to co-operate with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping to divide the world into “spheres of influence” he may well offer Sir Keir a deal!
That the UK sign up to a “Customs Union” which will be offered to Ireland and also Canada. It will be in effect a deal which will result in US rule over us!
This will require Ireland to leave the EU.
It will involve Canada, Ireland and the UK giving up Sterling and using the US $!
The British Weights & Measures Association (http://bwma.org.uk/) will be delighted as the metric system will be put to one side!
I think Sir Keir will refuse to commit the UK to such a choice – a choice of Europe (and war) or the USA (and peace)!
I think he will call a general election.
There is historical precedent – again from the days of the Roman Empire: Pontius Pilate saw no reason why Jesus Christ was to be put to death on the cross. He abdicated the decision and handed it to the crowd!
The issue of course will NOT be so broad based. The reason why Sr Keir will call a general election will be completely justified by historical precedent, democratic practice and the British constitution:
You see, the changes in policy that will be necessary to join Europe in confronting Russian expansion will not only require a massive increase in defence expenditure (circa 5% – Mr Trump is correct in his assessment) but also the re-introduction of conscription!
Clearly these things did not feature in Labour’s 2024 manifesto! Therefore such a dramatic change in policy will require a fresh mandate from the electorate!
It is said that young people do not vote in the same numbers as old people!
This FACT was demonstrated in the Brexit referendum! Young Remainers did not bother to vote, whereas Old Leavers did!
This time the young people will be the ones affected by conscription!
I think it is patently obvious how large numbers of young men will vote!
Of course, we old people will be adversely affected by the decimation of the NHS!
Human beings are like motor cars!
When new there are often delivery issues such as tyres not been deflated from the high pressure to withstand the voyage on the car carriers. After this the car has a trouble free life until it gets old. This is when things begin to go wrong requiring visits to the repair shop! Eventually, the car fails it’s MOT and is condemned. It then goes off to the car crusher!