Former adviser No 10, FCDO and DIT. Tweeting about what interests me. Views very much my own.
Wiltshire and London
Joined September 2014
- Tweets2.2K
- Following350
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James Earle retweeted
Great to be out supporting the outstanding @CarolineElsom, Noel Dube and John Pain in #WandsworthTown this evening!
Polls close at 10pm - don’t miss your chance to have your say!
#VoteConservative
James Earle retweeted
While the UK blocks it's ears and pretends its oil and gas resources aren't worth bothering with, Norway has just launched its latest licensing round with 70 new blocks in the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea
"The oil and gas industry is crucial for Norway and for Europe. The government is today announcing new exploration areas in the APA to further develop the petroleum sector, so that it can continue to create great value for the community, lay the foundation for good jobs throughout the country, ensure our common welfare and contribute to Europe's energy security and safety" says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre
Pity @ed_milband refuses to accept the same is true for the UK and @Keir_Starmer lets him do whatever he wants, regardless of the consequences
@clairecoutinho @andrewbowie_mp
regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/ut…
James Earle retweeted
Leicester expert’s tale of ancient library makes The Telegraph’s greatest books of 2025 list
👉 le.ac.uk/news/2025/december/…
#CitizensOfChange | @LSWisnom
James Earle retweeted
Honoured to be nominated to serve as the UK’s Ambassador to the USA 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 @UKinUSA
gov.uk/government/news/dr-ch…
James Earle retweeted
The UK has the biggest tax rate difference between top earners and average earners in the developed world, writes @jburnmurdoch
ft.com/content/75ce2fba-f6df…
James Earle retweeted
John von Neumann has become a symbol of a pop-hereditarianism that is as annoying as the blank slatism it once criticized.
So I investigated. Turns out all the main John von Neumann legends are based on pop-sci book slop. theintrinsicperspective.com/…
James Earle retweeted
Birds of Prey Are Thriving - So Why Are Some Organisations Desperate to Talk It Down? 🦅
🦅 Hen harrier numbers in England are at a 200-year high with 80% of nests on grouse moors.
🪶 Golden eagles, buzzards, red kites and even sea-eagles are all increasing across the UK.
🌾 Grouse moors, just half of hen harrier habitat, are delivering the vast majority of breeding success.
đź“Š Natural England reports that both Special Protection Areas for hen harriers have now hit favourable status.
🛡️ Gamekeepers are also protecting vulnerable ground-nesting birds like curlew and lapwing.
📉 Despite frequent accusations, just 3% of bird crime is linked to gamekeepers - with zero convictions last year.
We should be celebrating the recovery of birds of prey - not downplaying success.
📲 Read the full story - link in replies 👇
James Earle retweeted
How BYD caught up with Tesla in the global EV race 👇🏻
on.ft.com/40f7oN1
James Earle retweeted
Today, the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar, met the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson.
James Earle retweeted
Let’s have an informed debate about Greenbelt/Greybelt release in London.
- There is enough Greenbelt land within the boundaries of Greater London – 32,500 hectares – to build 1.6 million houses at average densities.
- Only 22% of that land is public access and environmentally protected. The rest ranges from golf courses to garages to utilities.
Today’s very belated shift by the Mayor of London is a vindication for brave, principled campaigners like @Siobhain_Mc.
Let’s build the homes we need, where we need them most, AND protect the countryside. It can be a win on all fronts.
James Earle retweeted
V welcome news that DBT has landed the FTA with India, a major breakthrough with a key partner. India’s a tough and difficult negotiator, so getting this over the line is no small thing. On first glance, the package looks respectable but lots of detail still to come out.
James Earle retweeted
Extremely proud moment as my husband @TomDrewUK is announced to be the UK’s Ambassador to France starting later this year.
🇳🇱 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 @FCDOGovUK
I feel very privileged to be appointed His Majesty's Ambassador to France – such a critical partner for the UK at this time of global change and a country I first lived in over 45 years ago.
gov.uk/government/news/chang…
James Earle retweeted
I feel very privileged to be appointed His Majesty's Ambassador to France – such a critical partner for the UK at this time of global change and a country I first lived in over 45 years ago.
gov.uk/government/news/chang…
James Earle retweeted
More questions than answers for allies following Trump’s abrupt 90 delay to tariffs. Not clear what the US wants, nor what happens should 90 days expire without agreement. But countries now see Bessent as the person to talk to, not Lutnick or Greer. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
James Earle retweeted
This is possible but Lighthizer and others who may decide policy don’t think like this. They think tariffs should be used *as they serve domestic political objectives* and should not be bargaining chips for wider foreign policy goals. That said, trade with UK seen as more balanced than EU esp Germany (autos), Ireland (pharma), France (ag) and Italy so tariffs as balancing tool may not be sought in same way.
James Earle retweeted
Largely unworkable, incredibly complex, and fiendishly difficult to implement. Suspect we will see examples made of some pour encourager les autres rather than a serious attempt to put in place an across the board applied tariff based on pure reciprocity, which would create huge burdens and bureaucracy.
On Trade, I have decided, for purposes of Fairness, that I will charge a RECIPROCAL Tariff meaning, whatever Countries charge the United States of America, we will charge them - No more, no less!
For purposes of this United States Policy, we will consider Countries that use the VAT System, which is far more punitive than a Tariff, to be similar to that of a Tariff. Sending merchandise, product, or anything by any other name through another Country, for purposes of unfairly harming America, will not be accepted. In addition, we will make provision for subsidies provided by Countries in order to take Economic advantage of the United States. Likewise, provisions will be made for Nonmonetary Tariffs and Trade Barriers that some Countries charge in order to keep our product out of their domain or, if they do not even let U.S. businesses operate. We are able to accurately determine the cost of these Nonmonetary Trade Barriers. It is fair to all, no other Country can complain and, in some cases, if a Country feels that the United States would be getting too high a Tariff, all they have to do is reduce or terminate their Tariff against us. There are no Tariffs if you manufacture or build your product in the United States.
For many years, the U.S. has been treated unfairly by other Countries, both friend and foe. This System will immediately bring Fairness and Prosperity back into the previously complex and unfair System of Trade. America has helped many Countries throughout the years, at great financial cost. It is now time that these Countries remember this, and treat us fairly – A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR AMERICAN WORKERS. I have instructed my Secretary of State, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of the Treasury, and United States Trade Representative (USTR) to do all work necessary to deliver RECIPROCITY to our System of Trade!
Donald Trump Truth Social Post 02:34 PM EST 02/13/25