But the single fact that really worried me is Starmer’s fence-sitting in relation to the USA, Israel and Iran, and all to appease one of the most dishonest and incompetent USA presidents of all time. Trump was even presented with a letter inviting him on a state visit even before the catastrophe caused by Trump started in earnest. Israel has acted with impunity, and with substantial assistance of the USA, over its destruction and killing in Gaza and the dispossession in the West Bank, and more recently its bombing of Iran (while nuclear negotiations were underway). Trump boasts his bombing of Iran’s nuclear sites has eradicated the ability of Iran to progress its nuclear aspirations (with the largest non-nuclear bombs ever used) but is challenged by his intelligence services. He boasts that he stopped the war between Israel and Iran overnight but makes no effort in properly arming Ukraine against Russia, and allows the destruction of Gaza to continue with the current loss of over 55,000 lives, 120,000 injuries, with 12,000 missing, and dozens dying every day. And despite this the UK prime minister (and others) supports him. I often think we are living in parallel universes where right is wrong and wrong is right.

Trump is being empowered through the appeasement of other world leaders including (unforgivably) by NATO’s chief who in effect approved Trump’s attack on Iran - a blatantly illegal act. Apparently all NATO members have agreed to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, something that will not ultimately happen with countries struggling to grow their economies - like the UK. Right now Trump is in the process of ruling by authoritarian decree and changing a once liberal democracy into virtually a police state. Is this what the USA population voted for? Is it what the world needs now, more than ever?

The UK government disapproves of the Glastonbury displays of protests against Israel’s government and its army, a country and soldiers who are starving, killing, injuring, destroying and dispossessing in Palestine. An air force that knowingly bombs, kills and injures women and children - including those sheltering in schools and tents. It leaves me wondering who is right and who is wrong. Remember the millions of UK residents who protested in the streets against the massively consequential Iraq war, which politicians chose to ignore resulting in thousands dead and the growth of terrorism - predicted by many.

Then there is the assault on citizens’ right to protest peacefully by both UK and USA governments. And at a time when public disquiet and concern is rising over injustice, war crimes, inequality and climate change. Here in the UK, a judge passed a sentence of 4 years on protesters against increased and damaging fossil fuel extraction. Freedom of speech used to be a sacred democratic right. No more. Why is it that protests against what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank are regarded as antisemitic? Are Israelis demonstrating across Israel against Netanyahu and the war regarded as antisemitic?

Sitting on the fence by those in power is impoverishing public discourse and avoiding the ugly truth. I was sickened by our prime minister and ambassador’s (twice forced to resign as a minister) sycophantic treatment of one of the world’s worst ever autocratic leaders (referred to as ‘the leader of the free world’!). We and the rest of the world deserve better, much better, especially in times like these. Trump’s most perverse decrees include certain Americans losing their birthright (a decision supported by the supposed neutral American Supreme Court) and anti-climate change orders. I am not hopeful.