Transcripts For BBCNEWS Newsnight 20240928

A budget that will define the next Half Decade under labour begins to take shape with more investment in big projects, more borrowing, and perhaps less of a Tax Rise than expected. And devastating israeli strikes on beirut actively targeting hezbollah� s leadership, as Benjamin Netanyahu dashes back from the Un And Tehran holds emergency meetings. Where will this escalation take the region and the world . Good evening. This is newsnight, home to Insight And Analysis from home and abroad. Well discuss the emerging situation in the Middle East a little later, matters could develop as we are on air. Breaking news is that they hezbollah it senior leadership is unreachable following the israel strikes on the Beirut Southern Suburbs on thursday. We will discuss that later. But first a domestic Mid Conference political and economic stock take with our top panel. Anushka asthana, Itv News deputy political editor, author of taken as red, an Insider Account of Labours Ascent to power, zing tseng, writer and as of last Night Award winning podcaster, and salma shah, a former conservative Special Adviser. We look at some clear steers after Labours Conference as to the direction of next months critical Budget And Spending review. The Pm And Chancellor are starting to show the colour of their money, the big decisions, likely to loosen rules on borrowing and investing more in big projects, reconsidering plans to toughen up the rules for Non Doms on fears of an exodus of wealthy foreigners, opening the doors to foreign investors, though not inviting the worlds� richest one, elon musk, to their major investment summit. Anushka, beginning to see some shape to this budget and perhaps not as bold may be month ago. How. To this budget and perhaps not as bold may be month ago. Now, because she has clearly bold may be month ago. Now, because she has clearly indicated bold may be month ago. Now, because she has clearly indicated in bold may be month ago. Now, because she has clearly indicated in her she has clearly indicated in her Speech And Treasury sources pointed us in the right direction that she is going to do something to the Fiscal Rules to basically allow her i suspect to take something like the national Wealth Fund off the books, so to speak, so that all those investments and Capital Spending will not actually affect her debt targets. There are other options you can do to try and tweak the Fiscal Rules. The impression i was getting at Party Conference was that they are looking at creating around £25 billion rather than the 50 i have seen. , billion rather than the 50 i have seen, , billion rather than the 50 i have seen. , , billion rather than the 50 i have seen. , , seen. This is in spare Capacity And Auainst seen. This is in spare capacity and against the seen. This is in spare capacity and against the rule seen. This is in spare capacity and against the rule that seen. This is in spare capacity and against the rule that is seen. This is in spare capacity and against the rule that is binding against the rule that is binding them at the moment. fine against the rule that is binding them at the moment. One thing i think they would them at the moment. One thing i think they would be them at the moment. One thing i think they would be very them at the moment. One thing i think they would be very keen them at the moment. One thing i think they would be very keen to | think they would be very keen to stress is that this is to do with Capital Spending, not day to Day Spending, that she is still in a very difficult position when it comes to day to Day Spending and i still expect there will be Tax Rises in this budget but i do think, we all know, i got the timing wrong over the summer. They try and argue it was a balance but the overall tune is still the same, but they have to tweak it. It was too pessimistic. People are not liking what they are Hearing Stop they tried at this conference to be a bit more optimistic and it is very clear that this budget now, Rachel Reeves is under pressure to offer some hope and to do that she clearly feels he needs to do something she said she wouldnt do before which is change those Fiscal Rules. Wouldnt do before which is change those Fiscal Rules. Salma, you are a former conservative those Fiscal Rules. Salma, you are a former conservative special those Fiscal Rules. Salma, you are a | former conservative Special Adviser. Jeremy hunt is saying he now expects Tax Rises to be quite limited. No real departmental cuts. And borrowing to take the strain. Do you buy that . I borrowing to take the strain. Do you bu that . , ~ buy that . I am not sure. I think there will buy that . I am not sure. I think there will be buy that . I am not sure. I think there will be some buy that . I am not sure. I think there will be some sort of buy that . I am not sure. I think there will be some sort of Tax L buy that . I am not sure. I think. There will be some sort of Tax Rise, even there will be some sort of Tax Rise, even though the fact that there seems even though the fact that there seems to even though the fact that there seems to be some petrol around to the Non Dom is to suggest there will be some the Non Dom is to suggest there will be some kind of political move but i think be some kind of political move but i think that be some kind of political move but i think that will be difficult for labour think that will be difficult for labour to do especially with the Unions Labour to do especially with the unions having been so difficult about unions having been so difficult about winter peel, i dont understand how the left flank of the Party Wouldnt react badly against that so Party Wouldnt react badly against that so there are some political considerations there as well. I think considerations there as well. I think It Considerations there as well. I think it is considerations there as well. I think it is inevitable that the Conservative Party in opposition having Conservative Party in opposition having said that we are really worried having said that we are really worried about labour Tax Rises during worried about labour Tax Rises during the worried about labour Tax Rises during the Election Campaign are going to during the Election Campaign are going to now shift and site there is a very going to now shift and site there is a very dangerous Borrowing Story coming a very dangerous Borrowing Story coming down the track. But in reality coming down the track. But in reality she doesnt have a lot of Room Reality she doesnt have a lot of room to reality she doesnt have a lot of room to manoeuvre. Changing the Fiscal Room to manoeuvre. Changing the Fiscal Rules, room to manoeuvre. Changing the Fiscal Rules, lots of chancellors have Fiscal Rules, lots of chancellors have done Fiscal Rules, lots of chancellors have done it, you have probably reported have done it, you have probably reported on it, on that issue, so it is not. Reported on it, on that issue, so it is not. It reported on it, on that issue, so it is not. It is reported on it, on that issue, so it is not, it is the sensible thing to look is not, it is the sensible thing to look at in is not, it is the sensible thing to look at in order to free up some Space Look at in order to free up some sace. �. ,. ,. , space. A new chancellor, her set of rules. Space. A new chancellor, her set of rules itut space. A new chancellor, her set of rules. But she has space. A new chancellor, her set of rules. But she has to consider rules. But she has to consider very carefully about rules. But she has to consider very carefully about what rules. But she has to consider very l carefully about what that Investment Piece is carefully about what that Investment Piece is going to look like, whether it is what piece is going to look like, whether it is what anushka has just outlined and it it is what anushka has just outlined and it is it is what anushka has just outlined and it isjust ticking things of the book and it isjust ticking things of the book so and it isjust ticking things of the book so she can have the investment and because book so she can have the investment and because it is an asset or whether and because it is an asset or whether it and because it is an asset or whether it is really about the Infrastructure Spending and whether the markets will wear that kind of spending the markets will wear that kind of spending and whether they think she will he spending and whether they think she will be competent enough to be a steward will be competent enough to be a steward of that money. Eing will be competent enough to be a steward of that money. Zing tseng, anushka touched steward of that money. Zing tseng, anushka touched upon steward of that money. Zing tseng, anushka touched upon this steward of that money. Zing tseng, anushka touched upon this that anushka touched upon this that everyone goes on about vibes these days and it is interesting that the government seems to privately acknowledge they may have inadvertently gone a bit too far in terms of the pessimism. Have you seen that assertive percolate through to people suffering fragile Economy Consumer Confidence . Ianthem Economy Consumer Confidence . When ou have Economy Consumer Confidence . When you have the Economy Consumer Confidence . When you have the financial Economy Consumer Confidence . When you have the Financial Times Economy Consumer Confidence . When you have the Financial Times calling the vibe you have the Financial Times calling the vibe of you have the Financial Times calling the vibe of the you have the Financial Times calling the vibe of the labour you have the Financial Times calling the vibe of the Labour Conference i the vibe of the Labour Conference weirdo the vibe of the Labour Conference weirdo they the vibe of the Labour Conference weirdo they gave the vibe of the Labour Conference weirdo they gave an the vibe of the Labour Conference weirdo they gave an indication. The vibe of the Labour Conference weirdo they gave an indication of| weirdo they gave an indication of the way weirdo they gave an indication of the way that weirdo they gave an indication of the way that Labour Weirdo they gave an indication of the way that labour has weirdo they gave an indication of the way that labour has boxed. The way that labour has boxed themselves the way that labour has boxed themselves into the way that labour has boxed themselves into this the way that labour has boxed themselves into this kind the way that labour has boxed themselves into this kind of. The way that labour has boxed themselves into this kind of Doom And Gloom themselves into this kind of Doom And Gloom pessimism. Themselves into this kind of Doom And Gloom pessimism. I themselves into this kind of Doom And Gloom pessimism. I think themselves into this kind of Doom And Gloom pessimism. I think it. Themselves into this kind of doom. And gloom pessimism. I think it must have worked and gloom pessimism. I think it must have worked really and gloom pessimism. I think it must have worked really well and gloom pessimism. I think it must have worked really well for and gloom pessimism. I think it must have worked really well for them and gloom pessimism. I think it must have worked really well for them in l have worked really well for them in the runup have worked really well for them in the runup to have worked really well for them in the Run Up to the have worked really well for them in the Run Up to the election, the Run Up to the election, basically the Run Up to the election, basically saying the Run Up to the election, basically saying we the Run Up to the election, basically saying we will the Run Up to the election, basically saying we will bel the Run Up to the election, i basically saying we will be the grownups. Basically saying we will be the grown ups, things basically saying we will be the grown ups, things will basically saying we will be the grown ups, things will hurt, i basically saying we will be the| grown ups, things will hurt, it basically saying we will be the grown ups, things will hurt, It Will be painful grown ups, things will hurt, It Will be painful but grown ups, things will hurt, It Will be painful but you grown ups, things will hurt, It Will be painful but you can grown ups, things will hurt, It Will be painful but you can trust grown ups, things will hurt, It Will be painful but you can trust us grown ups, things will hurt, It Will be painful but you can trust us to i be painful but you can trust us to make be painful but you can trust us to make things be painful but you can trust us to make things better be painful but you can trust us to make things better but be painful but you can trust us to make things better but it be painful but you can trust us to make things better but it is be painful but you can trust us to i make things better but it is almost like they make things better but it is almost like they have make things better but it is almost like they have hammered make things better but it is almost like they have hammered home. Make things better but it is almost. Like they have hammered home that inherited like they have hammered home that inherited way like they have hammered home that inherited way too like they have hammered home that inherited way too hard like they have hammered home that inherited way too hard and like they have hammered home that inherited way too hard and for like they have hammered home that inherited way too hard and for far i inherited way too hard and for far too long inherited way too hard and for far too long and now inherited way too hard and for far too long and now people inherited way too hard and for far too long and now people are inherited way too hard and for far l too long and now people are saying what they too long and now people are saying what they really too long and now people are saying what they really have too long and now people are saying what they really have to too long and now people are saying what they really have to offer what they really have to offer besides what they really have to offer besides pessimism . What they really have to offer besides pessimism . We what they really have to offer| besides pessimism . We need what they really have to offer. Besides pessimism . We need a what they really have to offer besides pessimism . We need a little bit of consumer besides pessimism . We need a little bit of Consumer Confidence besides pessimism . We need a little bit of Consumer Confidence and besides pessimism . We need a little bit of Consumer Confidence and a besides pessimism . We need a little bit of Consumer Confidence and a Biti Bit of Consumer Confidence and a bit of a Boost Bit of Consumer Confidence and a bit of a boost because bit of Consumer Confidence and a bit of a boost because if bit of Consumer Confidence and a bit of a boost because if youre bit of Consumer Confidence and a bit of a boost because if youre talking. Of a boost because if youre talking about of a boost because if youre talking about being of a boost because if youre talking about being a of a boost because if youre talking about being a new of a boost because if youre talking about being a new government of a boost because if youre talking i about being a new government bring of a boost because if youre talking about being a new government bring a change about being a new government bring a change to about being a new government bring a change to the about being a new government bring a change to the country about being a new government bring a change to the country you about being a new government bring a change to the country you have about being a new government bring a change to the country you have to change to the country you have to offer change to the country you have to offer Something Change to the country you have to Offer Something other change to the country you have to Offer Something other than change to the country you have to Offer Something other than just i change to the country you have to. Offer something other Thanjust Pain Offer something other than just Pain And Terror Offer Something other thanjust Pain And Terror basically. Offer something other thanjust Pain And Terror basically. There Offer Something other thanjust Pain And Terror basically. There is Offer Something other thanjust Pain And Terror basically. There is a and terror basically. There is a Speech And Terror basically. There is a Speech Keir and terror basically. There is a Speech Keir Starmer And Terror basically. There is a Speech Keir starmer said and terror basically. There is a | Speech Keir starmer said when and terror basically. There is a. Speech Keir Starmer said when he warned Speech Keir starmer said when he warned things Speech Keir starmer said when he warned things would Speech Keir starmer said when he warned things would be Speech Keir starmer said when he warned things would be painful, l Speech Keir starmer said when he i warned things would be painful, they couldnt warned things would be painful, they couldnt elaborate warned things would be painful, they couldnt elaborate on warned things would be painful, they couldnt elaborate on the warned things would be painful, they couldnt elaborate on the specifics, L Couldnt elaborate on the specifics, it is a couldnt elaborate on the specifics, it is a bit couldnt elaborate on the specifics, it is a bit like couldnt elaborate on the specifics, it is a bit like going couldnt elaborate on the specifics, it is a bit like going for couldnt elaborate on the specifics, it is a bit like going for a couldnt elaborate on the specifics, it is a bit like going for a dentist. It is a bit like going for a dentist and them it is a bit like going for a dentist and them telling it is a bit like going for a dentist and them telling you it is a bit like going for a dentist and them telling you things it is a bit like going for a dentist and them telling you things will| it is a bit like going for a dentist. And them telling you things will be painful and them telling you things will be painful and and them telling you things will be painfuland youre and them telling you things will be painful and youre left and them telling you things will be painful and youre left in and them telling you things will be painful and youre left in the and them telling you things will be painful and youre left in the chairl painful and youre left in the chair thinking painful and youre left in the chair thinking to painful and youre left in the chair thinking to yourself, painful and youre left in the chair thinking to yourself, what painful and youre left in the chair thinking to yourself, what is painful and youre left in the chair| thinking to yourself, what is going to happen, thinking to yourself, what is going to happen. Would thinking to yourself, what is going to happen, would you thinking to yourself, what is going to happen, would you take thinking to yourself, what is going to happen, would you take out. Thinking to yourself, what is going to happen, would you take out all| thinking to yourself, what is going. To happen, would you take out all my teeth . To happen, would you take out all my teeth . That to happen, would you take out all my teeth . That is to happen, would you take out all my teeth . That is the to happen, would you take out all my teeth . That is the kind to happen, would you take out all my teeth . That is the kind of to happen, would you take out all my teeth . That is the kind of message. Teeth . That is the kind of message that is teeth . That is the kind of message that is being teeth . That is the kind of message that is being transmitted teeth . That is the kind of message that is being transmitted and teeth . That is the kind of message that is being transmitted and i that is being transmitted and i think that is being transmitted and i think as that is being transmitted and i think as anushka that is being transmitted and i think as anushka said that is being transmitted and i think as anushka said they. That is being transmitted and ij think as anushka said they are slowly think as anushka said they are slowly getting think as anushka said they are slowly getting to think as anushka said they are slowly getting to grips think as anushka said they are slowly getting to grips with think as anushka said they are i slowly getting to grips with that and starting slowly getting to grips with that and starting to slowly getting to grips with that and starting to realise slowly getting to grips with that and starting to realise you slowly getting to grips with that and starting to realise you need slowly getting to grips with that. And starting to realise you need to start Injecting And starting to realise you need to start Injecting A and starting to realise you need to start Injecting A bit and starting to realise you need to start Injecting A bit of and starting to realise you need to start Injecting A bit of hope and starting to realise you need to start Injecting A bit of hope and i start Injecting A bit of hope and optimism start Injecting A bit of hope and optimism otherwise start Injecting A bit of hope and optimism otherwise we start Injecting A bit of hope and optimism otherwise we will start Injecting A bit of hope and i optimism otherwise we will lose people optimism otherwise we will lose people along optimism otherwise we will lose people along the optimism otherwise we will lose people along the way. Optimism otherwise we will lose people along the way. Quite optimism otherwise we will lose people along the way. Quite a l optimism otherwise we will losel people along the way. Quite a bit optimism otherwise we will lose people along the way. Quite a bit of anaesthetic people along the way. Quite a bit of anaesthetic a people along the way. Quite a bit of anaesthetic. A bit people along the way. Quite a bit of anaesthetic. A bit of people along the way. Quite a bit of anaesthetic. A bit of gas people along the way. Quite a bit of anaesthetic. A bit of gas and people along the way. Quite a bit of anaesthetic. A bit of gas and air. I l anaesthetic. A bit of gas and air. Am quite intrigued by this recalibration. I am wondering, the budget being tough seem to land, and trying to blame the previous administration, but then when the Prime Minister came into the downing Street Garden saying it would be painful, was the public really ready for that . , painful, was the public really ready for that . ,. , for that . I was sat there and in that garden for that . I was sat there and in that garden and for that . I was sat there and in that garden and it for that . I was sat there and in that garden and it was for that . I was sat there and in that garden and it was pretty i that garden and it was pretty pessimistic and i couldnt believe it and it was obviously the thing we took away where things were going to get worse and i spoke to Downing Street aides about it and they said it wasnt all pessimistic, there was positive generic and i said link and you missed it. That is why they changed his conference speech. 0ne Adviser said to me, we tweaked the Treble And Bass but didnt change the chain. They wanted to be careful to say we are not totally changing what we are saying and i was some pessimistic bets in his conference speech, the idea we will all go to prison on our Back Garden and Electricity Pylon in our front garden at which point i thought, someone next to me almost said and done you will eat grew and eventually things will get better. The one thing i do wonder, and they are trying to be optimistic and will understand it. Are trying to be optimistic and will understand it. Mike was a strategy all alon understand it. Mike was a strategy all along or understand it. Mike was a strategy all along or do understand it. Mike was a strategy all along or do you understand it. Mike was a strategy all along or do you think understand it. Mike was a strategy all along or do you think they all along or do you think they changed it . All along or do you think they chanced it . , changed it . They definitely felt the had changed it . They definitely felt they had to changed it . They definitely felt they had to hammer changed it . They definitely felt they had to hammer home changed it . They definitely feltj they had to hammer home how changed it . They definitely felt they had to hammer home how badly they had to hammer home how badly the conservatives had damaged the country. The place where i think they have slightly overdone it is they have slightly overdone it is they are comparing it to 2010 when they are comparing it to 2010 when the tories with unbelievable success blamed labourfor the the tories with unbelievable success blamed labour for the financial crisis and they think they have to do it but Gordon Brown didnt lose the election that badly and people didnt need to be persuaded on the argument which we may disagree with now that there was a political argument to make. I think if you look at the 2024 Election Result it is very clear that the public rejected the conservative government and that they blamed them for things that had gone wrong and what people were talking to me about at conference including Cabinet Ministers whose people already know the inheritance is bad. What they still dont really know is what are you going to do . Still dont really know is what are you going to do . Lets put some of that now lets put this to someone who might be able to shed some light one of the rising Labour Stars of the class of 2024, dan tomlinson, chipping Barnet Mp and an economist. Thank you forjoining us. If this was the broad shape of the budget, less pain and less Tax Rises and more Investment Spending and perhaps our borrowing, is that what you are looking for . I our borrowing, is that what you are looking for . Looking for . I found Conference Uuite looking for . I found conference quite hopeful looking for . I found conference quite hopeful. I looking for . I found conference quite hopeful. I think looking for . I found conference quite hopeful. I think both looking for . I found conference quite hopeful. I think both keir| quite hopeful. I think both Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves got the turn right and as we look forward to the budget one of the reasons i feel hopeful is that we do have a strategy to turn around the economic inheritance that we received before the election, the Chancellor Spoke of the need for Stability And Investment and reform and i think those three different tracks will feature heavily in the budget at The End of october. They are the right thing for turning around our economy. We have had pretty much no growth in our economy over the last 14 years and that has translated directly into families being much poorer than they would have been if the Earnings Growth in this country had been the same since the financial crisis as it was before, families wouldnt just financial crisis as it was before, families wouldntjust be a few hundred pounds a year richer, they would be £10,700 per year and that is the impact of 14 years of conservatives on Family Living Standards is really plain to see so we have to turn it around with the budget coming up in a few weeks time. I budget coming up in a few weeks time. ~. , i. , budget coming up in a few weeks time. ~. ,. ,. ,. , time. I know you are now a loyal labour mp, but time. I know you are now a loyal labour mp, but im time. I know you are now a loyal labour mp, but im trying time. I know you are now a loyal labour mp, but im trying to time. I know you are now a loyalj labour mp, but im trying to see time. I know you are now a loyal. Labour mp, but im trying to see if the economist inside you is still there, and can you analyse this argument for changing the Debt Rules . I do recall you wrote a paper called breaking the rules a few years back on the Fiscal Rules, so do you think the rules can be changed to allow for more information over particularly on big Capital Projects . Latte information over particularly on big Capital Projects . Information over particularly on big Capital Projects . Capital proects . We have been clear before Capital Projects . We have been clear before the Election Capital projects . We have been clear before the Election And Capital projects . We have been clear before the election and im Capital Projects . We have been clear before the election and im sure before the election and im sure well see the same in the budget that our Fiscal Rules to allow for more borrowing to invest in the future and more than the previous conservatives rules and i think that is the right thing to do. The Public Sector, the amount of investment was slashed in 2010 when the tories took over just when the slashed in 2010 when the tories took overjust when the economy really would have done well to have that investment happening, it is part of why our schools and hospitals have that bad concrete in the roof and are not in good shape, and also one of the big things we need to do with public Sector Investment is crowd in more investment from the private sector, because that is also where we have a big problem in this country. We havent built a nuclear Power Station in about 30 years. The economy is growing and yet the Investmentjust Isnt Economy is growing and yet the investment just isnt there. Economy is growing and yet the Investmentjust Isnt there. So the hope is that with our that we will be bringing forward in the budget, we cannot only spend in terms of public Sector Investment but can get that private sector to get going again. If we dont. I that private sector to get going again. If we dont. That private sector to get going again. If we dont. Again. If we dont. I know you have seen again. If we dont. I know you have seen the again. If we dont. I know you have seen the chart again. If we dont. I know you have seen the chart because i again. If we dont. I know you l have seen the chart because the Charter Public Investment is going down, going down slightly less fast than under the conservative government. Surely if youre going to make this argument about investing in growth you will have to increase Government Investment and thatis increase Government Investment and that is what is going to happen now and you are going to tweak the spending rules in order to do that, Thatis Spending rules in order to do that, that is where we are heading. fine spending rules in order to do that, that is where we are heading. One of the thins that is where we are heading. One of the things it that is where we are heading. One of the things it is that is where we are heading. One of the things it is important that is where we are heading. One of the things it is important is that is where we are heading. One of the things it is important is to that is where we are heading. One of the things it is important is to get. The things it is important is to get the things it is important is to get the Investment Rate of the public and the private sector up but it is also crucially important we report our economy also, and a Planning Rule changes being announced already and i am sure there will be more to come in the weeks and months are just so crucial to that. It is very difficult to build things in this country. The private sector once to invest to be able to build the labs that we need, to grow our economy and the industries that are at the frontier, but are not able to do so because our Planning Rules stand in the way of that investment so i just think we have to be really clear that we are in a different place than in the past, because we know indias government that we can unlock that private Sector Investment we can get our Economy Growing. I investment we can get our economy urrowin. , investment we can get our economy urrowin. ,. , � growing. I get that but shouldnt ou make growing. I get that but shouldnt you make the growing. I get that but shouldnt you make the argument growing. I get that but shouldnt l you make the argument explicitly. Wouldnt it be more credible than fiddling with the rules, just to tell everybody the country has been underinvested and now we need to invest more and we are willing to borrow for you, isnt that what the markets will see as credible rather than just messing around with a bit of Accounting Trickery . I than just messing around with a bit of Accounting Trickery . Than just messing around with a bit of Accounting Trickery . I think when the rules are of Accounting Trickery . I think when the rules are set of Accounting Trickery . I think when the rules are set out of Accounting Trickery . I think when the rules are set out in of Accounting Trickery . I think when the rules are set out in the of Accounting Trickery . I think when the rules are set out in the budget. The rules are set out in the budget by the chancellor, she will be really clear, she has always been really clear, she has always been really clear, she has always been really clear and set out the constraints that we face and the decisions that she needs to make to get our Economy Growing so lets wait and see in the budget rules that come forward, i am sure she speu that come forward, i am sure she spell out precisely why they are going to be the rules and what It Will allow us to do as a government and as a country so that we can get the Economy Growing again and make people in this country feel that boost to their prosperity that i have been missing out on for so long. D0 have been missing out on for so lonu. ,. , have been missing out on for so lonu. , long. Do you recognise this Picture Ofthe long. Do you recognise this picture of the prime long. Do you recognise this picture of the Prime Minister long. Do you recognise this picture i of the prime Minister And Chancellor saying that it is a painful budget and that leading to a fall into a Consumer Confidence . I and that leading to a fall into a Consumer Confidence . And that leading to a fall into a Consumer Confidence . I heard the discussions Consumer Confidence . I heard the discussions before Consumer Confidence . I heard the discussions before i Consumer Confidence . I heard the discussions before i came Consumer Confidence . I heard the discussions before i came on. Discussions before i came on. I think one of the things about talking about the inheritance we faced and the fact that it is difficult, one of the reasons why we have been doing it is because it is true and i think it is right and properfor politicians true and i think it is right and proper for politicians to talk about things that are true. We have Public Sector at 100 of the size of the economy now. The inheritance is difficult and there will be some difficult and there will be some difficult decisions coming down the track but that payoff at The End if we can get our public services to be there for people again and our economy back up and running, that is the outcome that i am sure this government will achieve in the months and years to come. They are going to do this. Hes sort of disputes the idea that they talk to the economy down. Can of disputes the idea that they talk to the economy down. To the economy down. Can i ust say this is ciassic to the economy down. Can i ust say this is Classic Media to the economy down. Can ijust say this is classic Media Management. This is classic Media Management from this is classic Media Management from a this is classic Media Management from a government this is classic Media Management from a government perspective. I this is classic Media Management. From a government perspective. This is what from a government perspective. This is what we from a government perspective. This is what we call from a government perspective. This is what we call rolling from a government perspective. This is what we call rolling the from a government perspective. This is what we call rolling the pitch. Is what we call rolling the pitch. They is what we call rolling the pitch. They have is what we call rolling the pitch. They have been is what we call rolling the pitch. They have been pretty is what we call rolling the pitch. They have been pretty stern is what we call rolling the pitch. They have been pretty stern about the debt they have been pretty stern about the Debt Rules they have been pretty stern about the Debt Rules previously they have been pretty stern about the Debt Rules previously from the Debt Rules previously from opposition the Debt Rules previously from opposition because the Debt Rules previously from opposition because as the Debt Rules previously from opposition because as a the Debt Rules previously from opposition because as a new l the Debt Rules previously from opposition because as a new Labour Chancellor Opposition because as a new Labour Chancellor going opposition because as a new Labour Chancellor going and opposition because as a new Labour Chancellor going and she opposition because as a new Labour Chancellor going and she wants opposition because as a new Labour Chancellor going and she wants to L Chancellor going and she wants to ive chancellor going and she wants to give the chancellor going and she wants to give the Markets Chancellor going and she wants to give the Markets Confidence Chancellor going and she wants to| give the Markets Confidence about fiscal give the Markets Confidence about fiscal discipline. Give the Markets Confidence about fiscal discipline. They now give the Markets Confidence about fiscal discipline. They now realise i fiscal discipline. They now realise since fiscal discipline. They now realise since they fiscal discipline. They now realise since they have fiscal discipline. They now realise since they have gone fiscal discipline. They now realise since they have gone in fiscal discipline. They now realise since they have gone in that fiscal discipline. They now realise i since they have gone in that It Will be difficult since they have gone in that It Will be difficult and they since they have gone in that It Will be difficult and they need since they have gone in that It Will be difficult and they need more i since they have gone in that It Will. Be difficult and they need more room to manoeuvre be difficult and they need more room to manoeuvre because be difficult and they need more room to manoeuvre because there be difficult and they need more room to manoeuvre because there are be difficult and they need more room to manoeuvre because there are all i to manoeuvre because there are all these to manoeuvre because there are all these Trade Offs to manoeuvre because there are all these Trade Offs so to manoeuvre because there are all these Trade Offs so it to manoeuvre because there are all these Trade Offs so it is to manoeuvre because there are all these Trade Offs so it is a to manoeuvre because there are all these Trade Offs so it is a classic. These Trade Offs so it is a classic role the these Trade Offs so it is a classic role the pitch these Trade Offs so it is a classic role the pitch situation. These Trade Offs so it is a classic role the pitch situation. I these Trade Offs so it is a classic role the pitch situation. I saw. These Trade Offs so it is a Classicl Role the pitch situation. I saw the Story Role the pitch situation. I saw the Story And Role the pitch situation. I saw the story and thought, role the pitch situation. I saw the story and thought, this role the pitch situation. I saw the story and thought, this is role the pitch situation. I saw the story and thought, this is how. Role the pitch situation. I saw the| story and thought, this is how its going story and thought, this is how its going to story and thought, this is how its going to change story and thought, this is how its going to change. Do story and thought, this is how its going to change story and thought, this is how its going to change. Do you think they can make that going to change. Do you think they can make that switch, going to change. Do you think they can make that switch, that going to change. Do you think they can make that switch, that argument . It depends on how canny they are as political it depends on how canny they are as political operators. I feel like with political operators. I feel like with the political operators. I feel like with the way they have handled Donor Gate or with the way they have handled Donor Gate or freebie gate or whatever you want to gate or freebie gate or whatever you want to call gate or freebie gate or whatever you want to call it i am suspicious as to how want to call it i am suspicious as to how they want to call it i am suspicious as to how they can successfully pull off this to how they can successfully pull off this magic trick. I to how they can successfully pull off this magic trick. Off this magic trick. I think she has one off this magic trick. I think she has gone on off this magic trick. I think she has gone on and off this magic trick. I think she has gone on and had off this magic trick. I think she has gone on and had a off this magic trick. I think she has gone on and had a look. Off this magic trick. I think she has gone on and had a look at| off this magic trick. I think she i has gone on and had a look at the situation, she frankly knew it was going to be worse than she said before she went in. To going to be worse than she said before she went in. Going to be worse than she said before she went in. To find worse. Was it the before she went in. To find worse. Was it the fiscal before she went in. To find worse. Was it the fiscal situation before she went in. To find worse. Was it the fiscal situation that before she went in. To find worse. Was it the fiscal situation that wasj was it the fiscal situation that was worse or the state of the country . It is not true, it is true that they have gone then and there is in any Year Gap in spending, it is true that the 22 Billion at least part of it exists in the way they are saying but it is also true that the new going on to government that there were loads of spending demands that at that time they were not promising to meet in their manifesto. When they said we dont need more taxes to pay for what is in the manifesto they knew there was more they needed to pay for. That said, they have gone on and it is worse than she thought it was before, she had seen there is a desperate need and you talked about public investment. Even though it fell more sweetly in the conservative years, at the moment we are on track for more between 2022 and 2024. Dan talked about planning. This is they great big Policy And Everyone thinks it may well work, the planning reforms. The problem they have is the office for Budget Responsibility are very cautious on these things and in the treasury they dont think they are going to score planning to give them any growth at all and in which case they are in a difficult situation. I am interested are in a difficult situation. I am interested in are in a difficult situation. I am interested in whether are in a difficult situation. I am interested in whether this are in a difficult situation. I am interested in whether this gives the conservatives a way back in because we have had increases in borrowing before, they can make the argument that it costs you so many hundred pounds per month and that is what will come from the Conservative Leadership contest. Ii will come from the Conservative Leadership contest. Will come from the Conservative Leadership contest. If they decide the are leadership contest. If they decide they are going leadership contest. If they decide they are going to leadership contest. If they decide they are going to start leadership contest. If they decide they are going to start treating i they are going to start treating labour they are going to start treating labour as they are going to start treating labour as the they are going to start treating labour as the opposition they are going to start treating labour as the opposition are l they are going to start treating. Labour as the opposition are not themselves labour as the opposition are not themselves and labour as the opposition are not themselves and each labour as the opposition are not themselves and each other, labour as the opposition are not themselves and each other, it. Labour as the opposition are not themselves and each other, it is labour as the opposition are not i themselves and each other, it is a little themselves and each other, it is a little early themselves and each other, it is a little early to themselves and each other, it is a little early to see themselves and each other, it is a little early to see who themselves and each other, it is a little early to see who the little early to see who the conservative little early to see who the Conservative Leader little early to see who the Conservative Leader is little early to see who the. Conservative leader is going little early to see who the Conservative Leader is going to be and how Conservative Leader is going to be and how they Conservative Leader is going to be and how they define Conservative Leader is going to be and how they define their Conservative Leader is going to be i and how they define their leadership in the and how they define their leadership in the way and how they define their leadership in the way they and how they define their leadership in the way they think and how they define their leadership in the way they think about in the way they think about attacking in the way they think about Attacking Labour in the way they think about Attacking Labour are in the way they think about Attacking Labour are beingl Attacking Labour are being in opposition Attacking Labour are being in opposition to Attacking Labour are being in opposition to labour, Attacking Labour are being in opposition to labour, it Attacking Labour are being in opposition to labour, it is. Attacking labour are being ini opposition to labour, it is too early opposition to labour, it is too early to opposition to labour, it is too early to say opposition to labour, it is too early to say how opposition to labour, it is too early to say how they opposition to labour, it is too early to say how they are opposition to labour, it is too. Early to say how they are going opposition to labour, it is too early to say how they are going to id early to say how they are going to go for early to say how they are going to go for it early to say how they are going to io for it. � , early to say how they are going to io for it. 3. , early to say how they are going to ofor it. � ,. ,. , go for it. Lets leave it there for a meeting go for it. Lets leave it there for a meeting. Its go for it. Lets leave it there for a meeting. Its been go for it. Lets leave it there for a meeting. Its been a go for it. Lets leave it there for a meeting. Its been a frenetic. Go for it. Lets leave it there for i a meeting. Its been a frenetic few daysin a meeting. Its been a frenetic few days in new York Today capped today by the early and unexpected departure of israels Prime Minister and before leaving he delivered this message to the un general assembly. That is clearly the israeli Air Force Attack on beirut that we saw, but lets now listen to Benjamin Netanyahus speech, or an extract of his speech to the un General Secretary. Ii his speech to the un General Secretary his speech to the un general secreta. , secretary. If you strike us, we will strike you secretary. If you strike us, we will strike you. There secretary. If you strike us, we will strike you. There is no secretary. If you strike us, we will strike you. There is no place. I strike you. There is no place. Cheering there is no place in iran that the long arm of Israel Cannot reach, and Thatis Long Arm of Israel Cannot reach, and that is true of the entire Middle East. In that is true of the entire Middle East. , , east. In the last few minutes the israeli east. In the last few minutes the Lsraeli Army east. In the last few minutes the Israeli Army says east. In the last few minutes the Israeli Army says it east. In the last few minutes the Israeli Army says it is east. In the last few minutes the Israeli Army says it is conducting| Israeli Army says it is conducting new strikes on hezbollah weapons in � strikes on together today is a very good sign. � strikes on hezbollah weapons in new strikes on hezbollah weapons in the Southern Beirut and outside the the Southern Beirut and outside the Assembly Hall of the un world Assembly Hall of the un World Leaders have been heading into the leaders have been heading into the golden elevator of Trump Tower is golden elevator of Trump Tower is hoping for some face time with hoping for some face time with Donald Trump. Volodymyr zelensky was Donald Trump. Volodymyr zelensky was there this afternoon amid mounting there this afternoon amid mounting concerns that trump will pull us concerns that trump will pull us support for ukraine in his Defence Support for ukraine in his defence against russia and it was not against russia and it was not assuaged by this remarkable assuaged by this remarkable exchange. Exchange. A very good relationship, a very good relationship, and i also have a very good and i also have a very good relationship as you know relationship as you know with president putin, and i with president putin, and i think, if we win i think think, if we win i think we are going to get it we are going to get it resolved very quickly. Resolved very quickly. I really think were i really think were going to get it. Going to get it. I hope we have more good relations. I hope we have more good relations. 0h, isee. 0h, isee. But it takes two to tango, but it takes two to tango, you know, and we are going to you know, and we are going to have a good Meeting Today have a good Meeting Today and i think the fact that what even and i think the fact that what even together today is a very good sign. Together today is a very good sign. Lets speak now to lord Kim Darroch, we now have to dangerous move, and we now have to see. It is in complete defiance of american attempts to try to negotiate a ceasefire, and second risks further escalation because the question is how hezbollahs backers are going to respond to this. We dont know yet quite how much damage the israeli raid has done. How many it has killed. But it is such a dramatic step i think that the iranians will feel maybe they should respond to it. 50 iranians will feel maybe they should respond to it respond to it. So lets ust bring ou back respond to it. So lets ust bring you back up i respond to it. So lets ust bring you back up to H Respond to it. So lets ust bring you back up to date i respond to it. So letsjust bring you back up to date witH Respond to it. So letsjust bring you back up to date with what i respond to it. So letsjust bring. You back up to date with what we respond to it. So letsjust bring i you back up to date with what we are hearing from reuters, the latest news that the hezbollah senior leadership is unreachable following strikes on beirut. A source has just told that to reuters. It raises the question that it is plausible, possible, we have had no confirmation, that this may have taken out the senior leadership. If that had happened, what do you Suspect Iran to do next . That had happened, what do you Suspect Iran to do next . Thats a really good Suspect Iran to do next . Thats a really good question. Suspect iran to do next . Thats a really good question. Thats i Suspect Iran to do next . Thats a really good question. Thats the l Suspect Iran to do next . Thats a i really good question. Thats the big question about all this. So far i think iran has been careful to keep its hostility and attacks on israel to attack through its proxies, through hamas and hezbollah and they dont want anything more direct than that that drags them as a country into this. It may still be their position and they may still be cautious or something may happen that suggests they are going to go further than that. I would say on this, that israel can do a great deal of damage to hezbollah, they may be capable of taking out the senior leadership, but the lesson of History And Israel occupied Southern Lebanon and there was a war with hezbollah in 2006, neither of those things really succeeded so the idea they can deliver a decisive and complete victory over hezbollah is very difficult. Complete victory over hezbollah is very difficult complete victory over hezbollah is very difficult. There is no Evidence Ofthat very difficult. There is no evidence of that is possible. Very difficult. There is no evidence of that is possible. We very difficult. There is no evidence of that is possible. We heard i very difficult. There is no evidence of that is possible. We heard in i very difficult. There is no evidence | of that is possible. We heard in the last half an hour the us Defence Secretary has tried to call on all sides to avoid an all out war. Previously the americans were trying to talk about a ceasefire. The israelis are not listening to any of this, our lovely . This, our lovely . They really are not. Netanyahu this, our lovely . They really are not. Netanyahu has this, our lovely . They really are not. Netanyahu has a this, our lovely . They really are not. Netanyahu has a track this, our lovely . They really are i not. Netanyahu has a Track Record over his many years as israeli Prime Minister of defying international opinion, and sometimes defying american wishes. America has more influence over its than anyone else, certainly any European Country has. As we are seeing at the moment and as we have seen with the resistance to american attempts to negotiate a ceasefire in gaza and now this resistance to Ceasefire Attempts in relation to hezbollah, netanyahu is prepared to do this if he believes that It Will suit Israels Security interests and there is no question that in his current domestic position that it suits him for these Military Operations to be going on with no definite end date. With your former ambassador with no definite end date. With your former ambassador to with no definite end date. With your former ambassador to the with no definite end date. With your former ambassador to the us i with no definite end date. With your former ambassador to the us hat i with no definite end date. With your. Former ambassador to the us hat on, clearly the Prime Minister secured that meeting with Donald Trump. We have had no readout or pictures from that meeting. How important is to make that sort of contact given we dont know what the Election Result will be the us . It is dont know what the Election Result will be the us . Will be the us . It is striking as Ou Sa will be the us . It is striking as yOu Say that will be the us . It is striking as yOu Say that so will be the us . It is striking as yOu Say that so little will be the us . It is striking as yOu Say that so little has i will be the us . It is striking as i yOu Say that so little has come out about the meeting. I think its a good thing that it happened, i think the Prime Minister was right to seek it. I hope he gets a meeting with Kamala Harris before the election but in the way it was more important to doctor Donald Trump just because they have so many disagreements with some of the Foreign Policy positions he has set out. I suspect from the information that there wasnt a huge amount of meeting of minds, i am sure the Prime Minister raised for example a review that it is important to keep supplying Military Support to ukraine, and as we know trump has a different position on that. I guess they will have discussed things like Climate Change where trump is likely again to take america out of the paris climate Change Agreement. The thing about trump, if you look back on his first term, he is a very hard man to get to change his mind. A generation of European Leaders tried to stop him taking america out of the climate Change Agreement and failed, they tried to stop him taking america out of the Iran Nuclear Deal and failed, and it is no surprise to me if Keir Starmer didnt get very far on these objectives in this meeting. Lets objectives in this meeting. Lets leave off there, objectives in this meeting. Lets leave off there, much objectives in this meeting. Lets leave off there, much to objectives in this meeting. Lets leave off there, much to talk i leave off there, much to talk about, Thanks Forjoining us, Kim Darroch, former ambassador to the us and national security adviser. Thanks for joining national security adviser. Thanks forjoining us. Interesting that Keir Starmer, justifiable with what we are seeing with a world in flames from ukraine to the Middle East, that Keir Starmer wanted to at least see the colour of Donald Trumps eyes. See the colour of Donald Trumps e es. ,. ,. , see the colour of Donald Trumps e es. ,. ,. , eyes. You mentioned earlieri had written a book eyes. You mentioned earlieri had written a book that eyes. You mentioned earlieri had written a book that in eyes. You mentioned earlieri had written a book that in large eyes. You mentioned earlieri had written a book that in large part. Written a book that in large part focuses on Keir Starmer right from the start and this is Keir Starmer through and through because he is that guy who is always pragmatic. And he was a passionate human Rights Lawyer and then becomes director for public prosecutions. If you look back on him supporting Jeremy Corbyn he was passionately supporting him in 2017 and then became the leader who basically distance himself as far as he can. He has criticised trump very much in the past but he absolutely would think it was the right thing to seek this meeting in the current ambassador karen pearce, basically when she took over from Kim Darroch clearly took a lot of effort in trying to build relationships with trumps team, and thats why David Cameron when he was Foreign Secretary got a meeting with Donald Trump. Do these things have any influence . I think the Cameron Meeting if you speak to people at the time they thought it did. There was an ongoing debate about ukraine in the House Of Representatives at the time. Donald trump was expected to speak out about certain things and he didnt. Whether or not cameron had much to do about that i dont know but leave you as you can influence him slightly and the american election is on a knife edge. American election is on a knife edee,. , american election is on a knife edie. ,. ,. , edge. Should he get elected and should he in edge. Should he get elected and should he in some edge. Should he get elected and should he in some way edge. Should he get elected and should he in some Way Change i edge. Should he get elected and i should he in some Way Change the approach to ukraine, that is a massive headache for the Prime Minister. It massive headache for the Prime Minister. ,. ,. , massive headache for the Prime Minister. ,. ,. , minister. It is huge, and i am a former home minister. It is huge, and i am a former Home Office minister. It is huge, and i am a former Home Office special i former Home Office Special Adviser and we former Home Office Special Adviser and we had former Home Office Special Adviser and we had to former Home Office Special Adviser and we had to do former Home Office Special Adviser and we had to do a former Home Office Special Adviser and we had to do a lot former Home Office Special Adviser and we had to do a lot with former Home Office Special Adviser and we had to do a lot with the and we had to do a lot with the american and we had to do a lot with the American State and we had to do a lot with the American State departments. And we had to do a lot with the. American State Departments over certain American State departments over certain issues American State departments over certain issues i American State departments over certain issues. Ithink American State departments over certain issues. I think it American State departments over certain issues. I think it is certain issues. I think it is difficult certain issues. I think it is difficult for certain issues. I think it is difficult for us certain issues. I think it is difficult for us as certain issues. I think it is difficult for us as such certain issues. I think it is i difficult for us as such close allies difficult for us as such close allies of difficult for us as such close allies of the difficult for us as such close allies of the us difficult for us as such close allies of the us not difficult for us as such close allies of the us not to difficult for us as such close allies of the us not to have| difficult for us as such close. Allies of the us not to have a relationship allies of the us not to have a relationship with allies of the us not to have a relationship with somebody i allies of the us not to have a I Relationship with somebody who allies of the us not to have a relationship with somebody who is potentially about to go relationship with somebody who is potentially about to go in relationship with somebody who is potentially about to go in the relationship with somebody who isi potentially about to go in the White House potentially about to go in the White House so potentially about to go in the White House so i potentially about to go in the White House so i think potentially about to go in the White House so i think keir potentially about to go in the White House so i think Keir Starmer potentially about to go in the White House so i think Keir Starmer that i house so i think Keir Starmer that is right house so i think Keir Starmer that is right to house so i think Keir Starmer that is right to seek house so i think Keir Starmer that is right to seek the house so i think Keir Starmer that is right to seek the meeting. House so i think Keir Starmer that is right to seek the meeting. In i is right to seek the meeting. In terms is right to seek the meeting. In terms of is right to seek the meeting. In terms of influence, is right to seek the meeting. In terms of influence, you is right to seek the meeting. In terms of influence, you never i is right to seek the meeting. In terms of influence, you never know when terms of influence, you never know when you terms of influence, you never know when you might terms of influence, you never know when you might get terms of influence, you never know when you might get the terms of influence, you never know when you might get the correct when you might get the correct pressure when you might get the correct Pressure Point when you might get the correct Pressure Point in when you might get the correct Pressure Point in order when you might get the correct Pressure Point in order to when you might get the correct l Pressure Point in order to change someones Pressure Point in order to change Someones Mind Pressure Point in order to change Someones Mind or Pressure Point in order to change Someones Mind or move Pressure Point in order to change Someones Mind or move them. Pressure point in order to change Someones Mind or move them a| Pressure Point in order to change Someones Mind or move them a little bit, Someones Mind or move them a little bit. So Someones Mind or move them a little bit. So keeping Someones Mind or move them a little bit. So keeping the Someones Mind or move them a little bit, so keeping the door Someones Mind or move them a little bit, so keeping the door open Someones Mind or move them a little bit, so keeping the door open and bit, so keeping the door open and keeping bit, so keeping the door open and keeping the bit, so keeping the door open and keeping the possibility bit, so keeping the door open and keeping the possibility of bit, so keeping the door open and keeping the possibility of a keeping the possibility of a conversation keeping the possibility of a Conversation Open keeping the possibility of a Conversation Open is keeping the possibility of a Conversation Open is all. Keeping the possibility of a I Conversation Open is all you keeping the possibility of a Conversation Open is all you can hope Conversation Open is all you can Hope For Conversation Open is all you can Hope For he Conversation Open is all you can ho e for. ,. , Conversation Open is all you can hoe for. ,. , Conversation Open is all you can hoefor. ,. , , Hope For. He seemed to be impressed b the Size Hope for. He seemed to be impressed by the size of Hope For. He seemed to be impressed by the size of Keir Hope for. He seemed to be impressed by the size of Keir Starmers by the size of Keir Starmers victory. By the size of Keir Starmers victo. ~ , victory. He likes it when there, that is true. Victory. He likes it when there, that is true. But victory. He likes it when there, that is true. But the victory. He likes it when there, that is true. But the total that is true. But the total blackout. That is true. But the total blackout, i that is true. But the total blackout, i expected that is true. But the total blackout, i expected a i that is true. But the total blackout, i expected a picture and very little brief to the press about anything at all. It is very little brief to the press about anything at all anything at all. It is odd and we have seen anything at all. It is odd and we have seen more anything at all. It is odd and we have seen more from anything at all. It is odd and we have seen more from the anything at all. It is odd and we i have seen more from the zelensky anything at all. It is odd and we have seen more from the Zelensky And Trump have seen more from the Zelensky And Trump meeting than we have seen from the keir Trump Meeting than we have seen from the Keir Starmerand trump Trump Meeting than we have seen from the Keir Starmer and Trump Meeting, and it the Keir Starmer and Trump Meeting, and it is the Keir Starmer and Trump Meeting, and it is quite a long time now. Number and it is quite a long time now. Number ten and it is quite a long time now. Numberten has put and it is quite a long time now. Number ten has put out a Video But Nothing of the Trump Meeting at all. But dont you think that is because Keir Starmer but dont you think that is because Keir Starmer doesnt but dont you think that is because Keir Starmer doesnt necessarily. Keir starmer doesnt necessarily want Keir Starmer doesnt necessarily want that Keir Starmer doesnt necessarily want that picture. Keir starmer doesnt necessarily want that picture. There Keir Starmer doesnt necessarily want that picture. There may. Keir starmer doesnt necessarily want that picture. There may bei Keir Starmer doesnt necessarily want that picture. There may be some sensitives want that picture. There may be some sensitives of want that picture. There may be some sensitives of these want that picture. There may be some sensitives of these around want that picture. There may be some sensitives of these around the want that picture. There may be some sensitives of these around the fact sensitives of these around the fact he wasnt sensitives of these around the fact he wasnt able sensitives of these around the fact he wasnt able to sensitives of these around the fact he wasnt able to meet sensitives of these around the fact he wasnt able to meet Kamala Sensitives of these around the fact i he wasnt able to meet Kamala Harris so from he wasnt able to meet Kamala Harris so from a he wasnt able to meet Kamala Harris so from a diplomatic he wasnt able to meet Kamala Harris so from a diplomatic perspective he wasnt able to meet Kamala Harris so from a diplomatic perspective it i so from a diplomatic perspective it might so from a diplomatic perspective it might be so from a diplomatic perspective it might be the so from a diplomatic perspective it might be the best so from a diplomatic perspective it might be the best thing. So from a diplomatic perspective it might be the best thing. Itittie so from a diplomatic perspective it might be the best thing. So from a diplomatic perspective it might be the best thing. We may have to leave it there. Might be the best thing. We may have to leave it there. Lots might be the best thing. We may have to leave it there. Lots going might be the best thing. We may have to leave it there. Lots going on might be the best thing. We may have to leave it there. Lots going on but. To leave it there. Lots going on but we will take a quick look at the papers. We start with the guardian On Lebanon, israel launches heaviest Air Attacks On Lebanon and references to Maggie Smith who has passed away. The ft, the uk facing a huge Funding Gap on Capital Projects, and the possible increase in spend. Israels warning to iran and pictures of that attack on Southern Beirut. The daily telegraph i think trying to scoop the daily mail on their