Dear John,

This week saw the joy of the Lionesses romping to victory in the Euros final, Trump descending on Scotland in a visit to his golf courses, and more calls for Labour to consider a wealth tax.

Internationally, the focus was once again on Gaza, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the UK would move to recognise a Palestinian state, alongside France, and now Canada.

Here to untangle the threads, is your Weekend Wire. 

Three Lionesses

Before we move on to the serious news, let us kick off your weekend with a reminder of the brilliance of the England women’s football team, who brought football home in spectacular fashion on Sunday.

Have a scroll through the photos of the victory parade, or relive that Chloe Kelly penalty.

State recognition

On Tuesday evening, Starmer spoke from No10 to confirm that the UK would recognise the state of Palestine “in September” - before the UN General Assembly - unless Israel took “substantive steps” to end the conflict in Gaza. France took the same step last week.

It came after senior ministers were recalled for a cabinet meeting to discuss the “appalling situation”, with people facing worsening famine, according to the United Nations.

But Starmer laid out conditions that recognition would take place unless the Israeli government also reached a ceasefire, made clear there will be no annexation in the West Bank, and “committed to a long-term peace process that delivers a two-state solution.”

In the following days, the UK was joined by nations including Canada and Malta, but also faced criticism for the move from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, and the British former Hamas hostage Emily Damari, who accused him of “moral failure”. 

At time of writing, Starmer had responded, insisting he “particularly listen[s] to the hostages” and cited the “unimaginable horror that Emily went through”. But he also stressed the need to “do everything we can to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza”.

Like a broken record

In an update to our findings in each of the last three years, new figures collated by Best for Britain this week revealed that the  number of UK musicians playing at music festivals in the EU is still down by 26% compared to pre-Brexit levels, as covered by the Independent.

On average, the number of British musicians that have played, or are scheduled to play, European festivals this summer has fallen by a quarter, compared to the 2017-2019 average.

It comes as industry leaders and musicians are warning that post-Brexit conditions continue to make it much harder for Britain’s musicians to tour, especially new and emerging artists.

“Barriers for touring artists are bad news: for acts, audiences, and ultimately hurt the UK’s vibrant £7.6bn music industry, meaning a further hit to our squeezed economy, not to mention the dimming effect on our soft power around the world.

We’re continuing to press the government and European leaders to address the issue. Read our CEO Naomi Smith’s thoughts and the research in full. 

Trump in town

The US President spent last weekend and the early part of the week in Scotland, where he agreed a deal with the EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, reducing tariffs on EU exports to the US to 15% from 30%.

However, after a less than enthusiastic response from EU member state leaders, the Commission emphasised the agreement was not yet legally binding but a "set of political commitments" - and that there is still more to do.

And on Friday, just ahead of Trump’s self-imposed August 1 tariffs deadline, he announced a further round of fresh tariffs on more than 90 countries, including hiking Canada’s levies to 35% and Brazil’s to 50% - while pausing costs for Mexico for another 90 days.

It's a rich man's world

Former shadow Chancellor and ex-international development minister Anneliese Dodds broke cover on Thursday, telling the Guardian there needed to be an “open conversation with the public” about changes to tax, and that: “That needs to be done in a way where those with the broadest shoulders take more responsibility.”

The Oxford East MP also told the Sky News Electoral Dysfunction podcast that she “would hope” the Treasury is considering the evidence for a wealth tax.

As if GB News wasn't enough...

Fed up of seeing Nigel Farage all over your TV screens? After Sky News aired two press conferences this week live from his party’s new briefing room (cutting away from coverage of the Lionesses’ homecoming) we decided enough was enough.

Best for Britain has launched an email tool so that in a couple of clicks you can contact the broadcaster to make a complaint about Reform UK’s excessive coverage on the channel.

More than 5,000 people have already written to Sky to object, highlighting that no other political party appears to be receiving this special treatment.

You can find all the details - and how to take action - on our website.

This has been your Weekend Wire from Best for Britain. 

In true summer recess fashion, you can keep an eye out next week for a host of (some former) politicians and pollsters - including Jeremy Hunt, Anas Sarwar, Professor John Curtice and former US ambassador Sir Kim Darroch - being interviewed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Have a good one.

Jessica Frank-Keyes

Senior Press Officer

Best for Britain