The British government’s recent reforms have largely remained under the radar. But they will matter hugely—and long after the fire and fury over the prime minister’s future has passed https://econ.st/3O9xKNd
英國政府近期的改革措施大多未引起民眾關注。但這些改革意義重大——而且影響將持續很久，即便圍繞首相去向的激烈爭論早已平息。 https://econ.st/3O9xKNd
施紀賢是人權律師出身，曾任皇家檢控署總檢察長。但作為一名典型「第三條路」的工黨領袖，施紀賢的政治底色是中間偏左的實用主義：對內，他需要修復被脫歐撕裂的經濟；對外，他奉行去風險化，而非與中國脫鈎。
對施紀賢而言，黎智英案是「人權案件」，但在國家利益的算盤上，若將「黎智英有事」上升為「英國有事」，等同於將英國的利益與一個遠東的個體命運綁定，在外交現實主義的計算中，是極不理性。
相反，高市早苗走的是一條截然不同的路。在右翼家庭長大、作為松下政經塾出身的保守派，她的意識形態繼承自安倍晉三。日本是一個能源自給率僅約11%的島國，其生存高度依賴海上交通航線。日本約90%的原油和超過70%的天然氣進口來自中東與東南亞。台灣若出事，日本南翼門戶便出現危機。
因此，「台灣有事」這句話，某程度上不是為了台灣，而是為了日本自己。相比之下，黎智英對於英國來説，只是一個昔日帝國道義責任的殘影，而非關乎倫敦生死。這也帶出了2026年一個有趣現象：面對威權政府，傳統左翼政客往往陷入「道德與麵包」的兩難，而右翼則通過確立「敵我邊界」來獲取政治力量。
英國工黨自貝理雅時代以來，就深信通過貿易可以改變中共，或者至少能讓英國獲利。在英國經濟持續低迷、NHS國民保健署資金匱乏的當下，施紀賢迫切需要中國的市場與投資。
施紀賢也有點像上世紀60、70年代、20世紀工黨任期最長的首相哈羅德·威爾遜（Harold Wilson）。威爾遜當年多次拒絕美國要求出兵越南，同時，跟蘇聯的關係「務實友好」，於1966年和1975年訪蘇，試圖充當美蘇之間的中介。
威爾遜的邏輯是：英國當時經濟壓力大，英鎊面臨貶值危機，無法承擔額外軍事開支，必須優先保住英鎊與國內福利。施紀賢今日的處境也類似，為了黎智英而跟北京翻臉，不符合成本效益。
反觀高市早苗，她像戴卓爾夫人。對於右翼政客來說，外部威脅是內部團結的最佳粘合劑。戴卓爾夫人當年不惜遠征福克蘭群島，並非因為那幾個島有多少經濟價值，而是為了宣示「英國主權不容踐踏」的意志。
高市早苗將台灣問題上升至日本的核心利益，她不考慮與中國做生意的細枝末節，因為她的選票基礎建立在「國家安全」與「民族自豪感」之上。這解釋了為何她敢於觸碰北京的紅線，而施紀賢卻連紅線的邊緣都不敢試探。
另外，我們必須面對一個殘酷的現實：在國際政治中，「人」的價值往往低於「地」。施紀賢無法說服英國打工仔：為了遙遠東方的一位英國公民，需要承受物價上漲或貿易戰的代價。相反，「台灣有事」指向的是一塊地，以及這塊地所控制的第一島鏈、半導體供應鏈和地緣戰略平衡。如果台灣被封鎖，日本的能源輸入將中斷，經濟將癱瘓。
高市早苗認為日本需要的不是模糊的和平，而是具備威懾力的實力。而施紀賢的尷尬，則折射出英國作為一個「後帝國」國家的迷茫。英國既想保留「日不落帝國」的道德光環，又沒有支撐這種光環的實力。這種認知失調，註定了施紀賢的進退失據。
(Photo/Reuters)
After price increases on March 2, London's Tube is now the world's most expensive metro system.
Crisis has revealed a different side to Sir Keir Starmer. But he must be upfront with Britons about how the extra money for defence will be found https://econ.st/3QNJ2Vt
Image: Barry Falls
Australia was "upfront, open and honest" with France about its concerns over a deal for French submarines, its defence minister said on Sunday, as a new deal with the United States and Britain continued to fuel a multinational diplomatic crisis.
Whereas Mr Davis painted an idyllic vision of Brexit, Mr Raab has been upfront about the fact that the process may be difficult
ECONOMIST.COM
Dominic Raab takes the Brexit helmA former housing minister takes over the Brexit negotiations after David Davis’s departure
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ECONOMIST.COM
Dominic Raab takes the Brexit helmA former housing minister takes over the Brexit negotiations after David Davis’s departure
BBC England 都分享了 1 條連結。
Primary school boys & girls should be free to dress up in a tutu & tiara or helmet & superhero cloak without comment, the Church of England says.
Interpublic to Shift $250 Million in TV Ad Spending to YouTube - WSJ
www.wsj.com/.../interpublic-to-shift-250-million-in-tv-ad-spending-to-yout...
6 days ago - Magna Global signs upfront deal with YouTube for October 2016 through December 2017, as TV ratings remain under pressure.Forget the tiaras and sequinned gowns - this Sao Paulo beauty pageant was looking for the city's "Most Handsome Elderly Man''
http://bbc.in/1KUQJ39
Heterosexuals get drunk and pregnant, producing unwanted children; their reward is to be allowed to marry. Homosexual couples do not produce unwanted children; their reward is to be denied the right to marry. Go figure.
Two-time world champion Asada wins women's short programSA TODAY
Mao Asada of Japan competes in the women's short program during the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships at World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Asada, a two-time world champion, won the event. Mao Asada of Japan competes in the ...
USA TODAY
Heterosexuals get drunk and pregnant, producing unwanted children; their reward is to be allowed to marry. Homosexual couples do not produce unwanted children; their reward is to be denied the right to marry. Go figure.
Would figure skating be taken more seriously if they wore uniforms instead of costumes? http://wapo.st/1dMfMlA
Two-time world champion Asada wins women's short programSA TODAY
Mao Asada of Japan competes in the women's short program during the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships at World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Asada, a two-time world champion, won the event. Mao Asada of Japan competes in the ...
USA TODAY
In Shift, Iran's President Calls for End to Syrian Crackdown
By NEIL MacFARQUHAR
In a surprising turn, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran is calling for Syria to end its crackdown on antigovernment protesters.up-front
- 音節úp-frónt
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