Impressions from London in the (proxy) war

It’s a holiday in Belgium, the EU is on break. So for a change, I share some impressions from my last (private) trip to London. It’s about the war in Ukraine, the new prime minister and climate protection.

First impression: The UK does not look as deranged as one might expect after the turbulences of the last weeks. Even if the Queen is dead and the Tories are on their last legs – it’s business as usual in London.

Second impression: The Ukraine war does not play nearly as big a role in the media as it does in Germany. No debate about arms deliveries, no pressure from Ukraine – the UK has successfully positioned itself as the most loyal ally.

That London was the second home of the Russian oligarchs – forgotten. While the Germans have to listen to constant reproaches about the (old) Russia connection, the British have simply turned over their dirty waistcoat – what a hypocrisy!

The media even manage to suppress the blatant accusation from Moscow that London was behind the attack on Nord Stream and the attack on Sebastopol. In the “Observer” I only read about it on page 2 in the small print…

Yet the accusations mean nothing other than that London is regarded in Moscow as an active party to the war – which could have serious consequences. Politicians and the media seem to ignore this – unthinkable in Germany!

Third impression: The new Prime Minister Sunak is mainly of interest to the City, where – unsurprisingly – he is well received. He is seen as financially competent, after all he comes from Goldman Sachs. His austerity course is not (yet) causing protests.

However, Sunak is already under pressure because he does not want to go to the COP27 climate conference. Allegedly, ex-premier Johnson is now planning to travel to Egypt. This in turn is said to have set off an “alarm” at 10 Downing Street, according to the Observer.

What is certain is that climate policy is not currently a focus of British politics. Most Britons will be happy to get through the winter reasonably well. Because of the energy crisis, there is a threat of three-hour power cuts.

And this in a country that produces its own oil and gas and was by no means as dependent on Russia as Germany – apart from the billions of the oligarchs…

More on the UK here

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)