Latika M Bourke
@latikambourke.com
📰 Writer-at-Large, The Nightly | London 📧 Subscribe to me at www.latikambourke.com 🎙️ Latika Takes: The Podcast on all apps
"I don’t believe most of our allies will trust us again in the same way and we need to recognise that that means legislative changes constraining presidential power to act in ways that are corrupt, in ways that are precipitous." latika.me/CoonsTariffs
The US risks losing trust of allies over tariff hit
‘The tool of tariffs has to be put back in the shed and constrained to be used only in moments that actually serve our national security industries,’ the Senator urged.
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New piece just posted. I've written about CPAC-GB, Farage's Day Two speech and the dangers of all the political projection and pick-and-mix politics going on around the vibey Andy Burnham. latika.me/ChameleonBur...
Farage attacks 'chameleon' Burnham
As the new Labour leader said he would not try to out-Reform Reform
latika.me
Day Two of Liz Truss's CPAC-GB. In a contest with yesterday seems to be even fewer in attendance today. I wrote about Day One in @thenightlyau here: latika.me/CPACGB
Sea of empty chairs for one of Britain's former Prime Ministers.
Latika M Bourke@latikambourke.com · 3w agoLiz Truss's CPAC-GB has kicked off. It's not exactly standing room only. Also, you have to buy your own coffee, at a conference - Quelle Horreur!!!
Liz Truss's CPAC-GB has kicked off. It's not exactly standing room only. Also, you have to buy your own coffee, at a conference - Quelle Horreur!!!
BREAKING NO NATO SUMMIT SCHEDULED FOR 2027. Communique says NATO looks forward to it's next meeting. That was due in Albania next year per the Hague decision last year. But asked at his presser, Rutte says Albania will be next host but says date still be to be set.
No mention of China in the (very short) NATO communique. www.nato.int/en/about-us/...
The Ankara Summit Declaration
The Ankara Summit Declaration
nato.int
China's response to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte's comments to me about the nuclear-capable missile that they tested in the Pacific this week is simultaneously hilarious and revealing. latika.me/NATOTakesNote
China fires a nuclear-capable ballistic missile, NATO takes note
Australia personally thanked Mark Rutte for drawing attention to the Pacific
latika.me
Australia's Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy tells NATO counterparts that conflict with China would be 'catastrophic' but tells me that Labor has NOT toughened its tone on the PRC following Monday's test of a nuclear-capable missile in the Pacific. latika.me/ChinaCatastr...
Conroy warns of ‘catastrophic’ conflict after missile tests
Chief reassures Pacific countries that NATO is ‘on it’ after long-range missile test sparked fury, as Australia intensifies its rhetoric on China to a level not seen since the COVID fallout.
latika.me
Oh Marco. (Mind you he is dead right that this whole scandal could overshadow NATO underway here in Ankara tomorrow, not an entirely bad thing for Europe...)
To paraphrase Eminem: Will the real Labor feminists please stand up? latika.me/GrossAlboSay...
Was great to interview Sam Stosur about her mentorship of Maya Joint who sensationally beat Serena Williams at Wimbledon this week. 🏓 Read: thenightly.com.au/sport/huge-m...
I’ve put together what the Defence Investment Plan means for AUKUS. Curious to note the UK’s stated intention to maintain a military presence in the Indo-Pacific. The document cites China’s nuclear expansion, Russia’s aggression and North Korea’s nuclear program. latika.me/DIPAUKUS
The UK's defence investment plan & AUKUS
Labour falls well short of headline spending demands
latika.me
Citing China having 15 global cities, Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell says the UK needs more than one in London. Noble goal. Still not sure why it's Manchester over Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, Newcastle et al v the city where the ascendant soft left Labour faction resides. #NSPoliticsLive
Lucy Powell says Number 10 North is 'not a branch office' but will be a 'big arm of government' that will take huge chunks of power from Whitehall.
🇬🇧 Deputy Labour Leader Lucy Powell at #NSPoliticsLive is asked how Andy Burnham will repair the relationship with the Parliamentary Labour Party from Manchester. 'There's a lot of PLP in north-west. I'm from Manchester too.' She goes on to say it's about a cultural change.
Andy Burnham giving a speech in Manchester: "Are you ready for this."
'Paparazzi gathered round the taxi carrying the next prime minister and were astonished when a totally random man got out. Wrong car. The man himself arrived minutes later.' Wonderful from @pronouncedalva.bsky.social on Burnham's conquest www.newstatesman.com/politics/wes...
The northern conquest
Andy Burnham’s march on No 10 was swift, ruthless and meticulously planned. Now comes the hard part
newstatesman.com
Have been banging on since day dot that Labour's small-target strategy would be its undoing. Will Burham overcome it? latika.me/Carousel
Starmer's so-called achievements only set out Burnham's herculean task latika.me/KeirOut
In just two short years, Keir Starmer bows to the inevitable
LATIKA M BOURKE: While the UK PM used his exit speech to list his achievements in office, it was many of those same issues, such as migration and military spending, that sparked his crashing poll figu...
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Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Christopher Luxon will NOT go to NATO this year. Is the IP4 losing altitude? latika.me/NoNATOAlbo
Andy Burnham didn't just pass the only electoral test that matters in British politics; he slayed. ⚔️ latika.me/Burnham
‘King of the North’s’ by-election win puts Starmer on notice
The so-called ‘King of the North’ has defeated the Reform candidate in a by-election which was was put to voters as a chance to elect a replacement for Starmer.
latika.me
🎙️ A wonderfully rich conversation with Ben Judah. We discuss China, US, Europe and his failed attempt to kickstart CANZUK. + sagging national security debate, why the government isn't raising defence spending, the viability of AUKUS and an opening NATO deterrence gap. 🎧 latika.me/BenJudah
Latika Takes interviews Ben Judah
Listen now | David Lammy's former advisor discusses the UK's foreign policy
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Greatly enjoyed @tomwatsonofficial.bsky.social's analysis on John Healey's resignation and what it means for the shadow leadership campaign. latika.me/WIRJune12
What I'm Reading
June 12: Five reads that piqued my interest this week
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NEW AUKUS is 'plodding along', captured by drift and 'faltering' says Chair of UK Defence Committee @tandhesi.bsky.social He calls for Trump, Albanese and Starmer to get together and give it a reboot. latika.me/AUKUSPloddin...
‘Plodding along’ AUKUS needs a Trump reboot, UK chief says
The architect of a scathing British report on AUKUS says a high-profile rescue mission by leaders would reinvigorate the agreement — but one retired Admiral describes that as ‘putting lipstick on a pi...
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