Author: Robert Skidelsky

Economist and member of the House of Lords

Brussels Speech: Should Europe rearm?

~ Robert Skidelsky

November 28th, 2025 My speech is in four parts. The first looks at the doctrine of self-defence. Second, I question the arguments currently being advanced for European rearmament. Third, I outline the two narratives which frame the current conflict between the political West and Russia. Finally, I recall President Eisenhower’s warning against the military-industrial complex. … Continue reading Brussels Speech: Should Europe rearm?

Ukraine – the delusion of the warmongers

~ Robert Skidelsky

Dec 15, 2025 1. European rearmament and threat inflation Lord Robertson was the lead author of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2024. The Review effectively seeks to implant a war-ready mindset across society, insisting that the UK must be “better prepared for high-intensity, protracted war” and that its war-making, and therefore deterrence, … Continue reading Ukraine – the delusion of the warmongers

Speech on the Book Launch of David Howell’s The Coming Anarchy and How to Avoid It

~ Robert Skidelsky

2 July 2025 David Howell’s thesis: The new anarchy is digital, not ideological. The microchip and information revolution have changed human relations everywhere, uprooted family ties, life patterns, local communities, world affairs. Microcircuit technology has compelled the need for a new type of democracy, a new pattern of world power, otherwise a slide to domestic … Continue reading Speech on the Book Launch of David Howell’s The Coming Anarchy and How to Avoid It

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Debate – House of Lords – 16th of October 2025

~ Robert Skidelsky

Link: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2025-10-16/debates/CD9953E1-3AFE-436A-BBD6-D170F107AE02/ShanghaiCooperationOrganisation I may have a closer connection with Tianjin than any Member of either House having gone to school there nearly 80 years ago. I hope this will not in itself cause me to be thought of as a security risk. I agree with the noble Baroness that the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation poses challenges … Continue reading Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Debate – House of Lords – 16th of October 2025

Defence Industrial Strategy – Wednesday 10 September 2025

~ Robert Skidelsky

This is a follow-up to my oral question on Ukraine of 9th September, which I have previously circulated. It is a telling example of the ‘war-mongering’ mood of official Britain. For a full view of the debate see link: https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2025-09-10/debates/5FF5CC28-E0EF-4D17-8C8C-8999CA2A4154/DefenceIndustrialStrategy  Main points of Government Statement on ‘Defence Industrial Strategy’, House of Commons 9 September (Luke … Continue reading Defence Industrial Strategy – Wednesday 10 September 2025