Respect is important. This fact was highlighted by its absence on the host’s part in the White House Oval Office the other day. And the disrespect shown to Volodymyr Zelenskyy by the US President was augmented by Trump’s Mini-Me, JD Vance, referring to Ukraine’s hopeless position if only supported by “some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 30 years”. The implication was the uselessness of the UK or France – both of whom have, in fact, sent many troops and much military hardware and intelligence to a range of war zones in recent times.

It’s not so much the ignorance and inept diplomacy, it’s the sheer disrespect. And it’s spreading. Entire political philosophies are emerging, as if from primeval slime, based on mockery and othering. The marginalised and vulnerable are outside the mainstream for a reason. Whatever it is, they brought........

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