It is another busy day of diplomacy on the Russia-Ukraine front. Liz Truss is in Moscow for talks with her Russian counterpart, while Boris Johnson heads to Warsaw to meet with the Polish president and prime minister, before spending time with UK troops.
What is also striking is the meeting in Brussels between Sir Keir Starmer and Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of Nato, an organisation Labour’s own Ernest Bevin did so much to bring about.
Putting aside partygate and polling leads, this meeting offers a sharp contrast with Jeremy Corbyn’s stance towards Russia and the western alliance. Further evidence that the party is indeed under new management.
London’s back at last
The “Great Return” is gathering pace. The number of passengers using the Tube during the week has risen by 25 per cent since the work from home guidance was lifted in January, while bus passenger numbers have increased by 10 per cent in the past month.
There is still some way to go. Weekday Tube use is at 55-60 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, and TfL bosses predict that hybrid working is likely to persist, with long-term consequences for its finances.
But, as with the lifting of Covid restrictions, today’s figures are another sign that London is getting back to looking a lot more like the city we know and love.
