Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Almost half of Brits worry Farage-Trump ties undermine UK national interests

20 January, 2025

Left Foot Forward News

Voters want closer ties with EU and are worried about Farage’s ‘close’ relationship with Trump, a new Savanta poll has found

A new Savanta poll, commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, has found that nearly half of voters (47%) are concerned that Nigel Farage’s close ties with Mr Trump risk undermining the UK’s national interests.

The poll of 2205 people also found that 56% are worried about the impact of a Trump presidency on the UK’s security and economy.

When it came to voting intention, just over 40% of Conservative voters said Farage’s close ties to Trump were concerning, while the figure rose to 61% among Labour voters, 62% among Lib Dems and 56% among Green voters.

Regarding the impact of Trump’s presidency on the UK’s security and economy, 57% of Conservative voters in the last election expressed concern, compared to 67% of Labour voters and 71% of Liberal Democrats.

Over half of voters (52%) said that given Trump’s election, they believe the UK should build closer economic and security ties with Europe.

A recent poll conducted by Savanta on behalf of Left Foot Forward found that 46% of voters want closer ties to the EU, compared to 16% who want looser ties.

That figure was higher among Labour voters at last year’s general election, 64% of whom said the UK should build closer “economic and security ties with Europe”, given Trump’s return to the White House today.

Calum Miller, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, said: “We all know what Donald Trump’s leadership looked like last time: inconstant, unreliable, occasionally menacing.

“It’s no wonder voters are worried about how he’ll impact our national security – not to mention their pockets.

“A clear majority of the people who put Labour in power want action to support our economy and security in the wake of Trump, and that means forging closer ties with Europe.

“Keir Starmer must listen to them and accelerate talks with Europe. The Liberal Democrats will continue to push urgently for a stronger UK-EU relationship, including a brand-new Customs Union deal to cut red tape and boost British businesses.”

Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward

Nigel Farage once more reiterates plans to get people to start paying for the NHS

Basit Mahmood

Yesterday

Left Foot Forward

“Nigel Farage has made it clear he wants to decimate the health service and see people charged thousands for operations."

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who likes to portray himself as a man of the people, has once more reiterated his plans to change the way the NHS is funded, should he ever win power.

Farage, who was previously filmed calling for a move away from a state-funded NHS, once again repeated his intention to do away with the NHS’s ‘free at the point of use’ system, this week suggesting that some sort of means-testing for the health service was needed.

Speaking to the Times at a Republican event in Washington, Farage said: “We’ve got to identify a system of funding for healthcare that is more effective than the one we have currently got, and at the same time carries those who can’t afford to pay.”

In response, a Labour spokesperson told HuffPost UK: “Nigel Farage has made it clear he wants to decimate the health service and see people charged thousands for operations.

“That might work for him and his multi-millionaire deputy, but it would see working people unable to afford vital treatments and end the proud history of the NHS offering care free at the point of use.

“This Labour government is delivering on our plan for change to cut waiting lists and get the NHS back on its feet. We mustn’t let a Tory-Reform coalition of chaos put that at risk.”

Basit Mahmood is editor of Left Foot Forward

Reactions to Trump’s attack on LGBTQ+ rights: ‘Trump cannot legislate people out of existence’

Olivia Barber

Yesterday
Left Foot Forward

‘All this does is highlight the hypocrisy of those on the right who advocate for free speech while simultaneously seeking to suppress the expression of others.’

Yesterday, Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States.

Within his first 24 hours back in office, he has taken many alarming actions: pardoning all those who participated in the riot on the Capitol on 6 January 2021, and withdrawing the US from the World Health Organisation and the Paris Agreement.

He has also suspended America’s refugee resettlement programme, leaving thousands of Afghans stranded, and launched yet more attacks on LGBTQ+ rights.

On LGBTQ+ rights, Trump said: “As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female”.

The executive order states: “Agencies will cease pretending that men can be women and women can be men when enforcing laws that protect against sex discrimination”.

The order also says it will end “the forced recitation of preferred pronouns”.

He has also issued an executive order to revoke federal Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) requirements after attacking DEI policies throughout his election campaign.

In response, Meta and Amazon have announced they will abandon their DEI policies.

This comes just weeks after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the platform will stop independent fact-checking.

In a statement, Thomas Willett and Matthew Blackwood, the co-directors of UK-based LGBTQ+ advocacy organisation Equality Amplified, said: “Trump’s claim that there are “only two genders” isn’t just factually wrong, it’s deeply damaging. It erases the experiences and identities of millions of people who are transgender, non-binary, or gender diverse.

“These kinds of statements fuel stigma and discrimination, making life harder for those who already face significant barriers in society. The real danger is that this rhetoric encourages bigotry and justifies harmful policies.”

They added: “When someone in power promotes this narrow view, it can lead to fewer protections for gender-diverse people in schools, workplaces, healthcare, and everyday life. Words like his don’t exist in a vacuum; they embolden others to act on prejudice.

“We’re living in a time when we should embrace diversity and build a society where everyone feels seen, valued, and safe.”

“Despite his attempts, Trump cannot legislate people out of existence. Trans, non-binary and gender-diverse people always have and will continue to exist.

“All this does is highlight the hypocrisy of those on the right who advocate for free speech while simultaneously seeking to suppress the expression of others.”

Simon Blake, CEO of Stonewall, said: “It is deeply troubling that one of the US President’s first actions upon taking office was to deny the existence of marginalised people, and attempt to curtail their rights. To suggest that a group of people don’t have the right to exist has alarming historical parallels.”

Blake added: “This Executive Order will leave a vulnerable group of people open to further harassment, discrimination, and abuse in daily life. It comes as the new US administration announced a roll back of federal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes, actively abandoning principles of workplace inclusion. There are many urgent global challenges from violent conflicts to climate change and yet the new US Government is seemingly more focused on an agenda that will spread hate and fear.

“Hard won rights must be continually defended. We will continue to work with our US partners to advocate for and support LGBTQ+ people concerned by the rhetoric and actions of the new administration.”

American LGBTQ advocacy organisation GLAAD found that Trump has verbally and politically attacked LGBTQ+ people at least 225 times since his last presidency.

Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward

British voters view Donald Trump as a ‘dangerous idiot’

Olivia Barber

Today

Left Foot Forward

3 in 5 Brits have a negative view of the new president

British voters have a scathing view of Donald Trump, who returned to the White House for a second presidential term yesterday.

When asked to describe the Republican in one word, the most popular responses to a poll by think tank More in Common were “idiot” and “dangerous”.

Among the few positive descriptions, respondents called Trump “funny,” “good,” “strong,” and a “leader.”

Overall, three in five Brits have a negative view of the new president.

Half of the 2,000 British adults who responded to the poll say they would have voted for his Democratic rival Kamala Harris, compared to just 28% for Trump.

The poll also found that Trump is popular among men aged under 35, with 53% of them saying they would have voted for him if they could.

Almost half (44%) of Brits believe the prime minister Keir Starmer should prioritise trying to establish a good working relationship with Trump, compared to 37% who think he should stand up to him.

Luke Tryl, director of More in Common UK, said: “British voters don’t like Trump anymore than they did in November and given the top word Brits used to describe him is idiot, that seems unlikely to change anytime soon.

“Nonetheless they see the importance of working with Trump and they are more likely than not to say the priority for Starmer should be working with rather than standing up to the president.”

Tryl added: “The exception to that resignation are young men, with a majority of those under 35 saying they’d have voted for Trump over Harris, compared to just 28% of the population at large.

“As in many other western countries it does seem Trump’s brand of populism resonates with young men in particular.”

Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward

SPAGYRIC HERBALISM

Turmeric: A promising supplement for the relief of muscle inflammation following vigorous exercise

A review of the scientific literature by the UOC has concluded that consuming moderate amounts of curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, may facilitate muscle recovery and alleviate pain following strenuous physical exercise

Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)

The turmeric plant, a member of the ginger family, has been used as a spice or food dye in cooking for thousands of years. A yellowish or reddish – depending on the species – substance is obtained from its stem to form one of the main ingredients of curry, a type of dish hailing from Asia that enjoys widespread popularity all over the world.

Aside from its uses in cooking, turmeric and its active component, curcumin, are often used in a range of treatments rooted in traditional Asian medicine. In fact, hundreds of studies have been carried out in recent decades examining the properties of this substance, its effects on the body and the benefits associated with its consumption.

Now, researchers in the Epi4Health group at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) have found that turmeric and its related products, such as curcumin, may be able to reduce muscle damage and inflammation in the musculoskeletal system following vigorous physical exercise. "Both pre- and post-exercise curcumin consumption are associated with better outcomes in terms of muscle recovery, reduced pain and improved antioxidant capacity", said Daniel Vasile Popescu-Radu. He is a pharmacist and nutritionist who is simultaneously studying for a doctoral degree in Health and Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Food for Physical Exercise and Sport at the UOC. He is the lead author of the article, developed under the supervision of his tutor Patricia Martínez, a dietician and nutritionist and course instructor at the UOC’s Faculty of Health Sciences, and alongside the experts Laura Esquius de la Zarza, a member of staff at the Faculty of Health Sciences and director of the University Master’s Degree in Food for Physical Exercise and Sport, and Marta Massip, a member of the same faculty.

Hundreds of scientific studies have demonstrated the benefits and potential of curcumin, particularly as regards its properties. In fact, this supplement is well-known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the experts' novel contribution is the confirmation of these findings in the realm of sports through a review of the scientific literature, which was recently published in open access in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.

"The aim of this study was to assess the scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of curcumin in mitigating exercise-induced muscle damage, such as injuries to muscle fibres, pain and reduced strength, and establish its ability to lower inflammatory markers, improve pain perception and speed up muscle recovery when consumed by trained participants", said Popescu-Radu.

“The effective use of curcumin is contingent upon factors such as dosage, bioavailability and time of consumption”

Benefits of curcumin

According to the authors, the possible benefits of curcumin include mitigating and combating various issues, such as local muscle inflammation and systemic inflammation, as well as oxidative damage resulting from the increased production of free radicals during physical exercise and muscle pain, thus improving the individual's subjective perception of pain and the affected muscle group's range of movement.

"Moderate curcumin intake within the established post-exercise dosage range helps improve and speed up muscle recovery," said Popescu-Radu, who also explained that "there's always room for professional supervision, as an expert can adjust the dosage and timing of intake to optimize its benefits."

Specifically, the experts estimate that a daily curcumin intake of 1-4 grams is enough for people in good health to enjoy these benefits, particularly in relation to eccentric exercise, which tends to be the most damaging to athletes. "The effective use of curcumin is contingent upon factors such as dosage, bioavailability and time of consumption, with the most significant benefits seemingly resulting from post-exercise consumption," said Martínez.

Absorption and patient profile

However, despite these proven benefits, the experts emphasized that factors that must be taken into account include hormonal effects and individual patient or consumer characteristics, as well as the time of intake and the exact formulation used.

"The absorption and bioavailability of curcumin may be affected by the formulation used or the presence of other substances, such as piperine. Furthermore, the varied makeup of the participants in the studies makes it very difficult to extrapolate these results to female athletes or to specific circumstances, such as perimenopause and menopause," said Popescu-Radu.

The experts cautioned that, although all these studies show the potential of turmeric as a supplement for athletes, further research, with larger samples, is required in order to confirm and consolidate these findings.

"Curcumin could greatly enhance the well-being of those who engage in regular physical training. It may even play a significant role in reducing inflammation biomarkers and improving antioxidant capacity, among other health benefits," they concluded, while warning that further research into formulation, absorption, bioavailability and other factors remains necessary to properly evaluate the effects described.

This UOC research contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, Good health and well-being.

Journal

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition

DOI

10.1080/15502783.2024.2434217

Method of Research

Systematic review

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Evaluation of curcumin intake in reducing exercise-induced muscle damage in athletes: a systematic review

Can DIY greening solutions transform your street and combat climate change?

University of Surrey

image:
Professor Prashant Kumar
view more
Credit: University of Surrey

Do-it-yourself (DIY) greening kits could help safeguard the country's most vulnerable communities from the impacts of a rapidly changing environment, according to a new project led by the University of Surrey.

The project, DIY Greening Prescription for Climate Adaptation in Urban Streets (GP4Streets), is backed by £2 million from the Natural Environment Research Council. GP4Streets will provide tailored “greening prescriptions” for UK streets, offering communities practical solutions to adapt to local climate challenges.

At first, the GP4Streets project will equip neighbourhoods with monitoring tools to measure key environmental factors such as air quality, temperature, and water flow. Then, the community will be provided with DIY greening kits to implement in their environment. Over the project duration, sensors will track the benefits of greening efforts, such as planting trees and installing green walls, to help fine-tune climate adaptation strategies for UK streets.

Led by the University of Surrey's Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), the project brings together experts from five institutions, including the UWE Bristol, the University of Bath, the University of Sheffield, and Imperial College London. Nine local councils, charities, and industry partners are also on board to support the rollout and scaling up of these green solutions across UK towns and cities.

Professor Prashant Kumar, principal investigator of the project and Founding Director of the Global Centre for Clean Air Research at the University of Surrey, said:

"Our country's most vulnerable need a step-change in how we adapt to volatile weather and transform built environments, like streets, where limited space restricts the scope for interventions. Working hand-in-hand with communities, charities, businesses, and local councils, we'll create tailored DIY greening solutions as a "prescription" for urban streets – from green walls to front and back gardens. With state-of-the-art monitoring, communities will see improvements in air quality, temperature, and biodiversity firsthand.

"This project, building on the foundations of the RECLAIM Network Plus, is about empowering communities to shape a better future for themselves and their loved ones, ensuring they are part of the climate solution."

By partnering with councils, charities, and local groups in the South West and South East, GP4Streets will directly engage citizens, creating community leaders to champion these efforts. Workshops and user-friendly guidelines will support lasting change, helping more communities embrace climate-resilient solutions.

Ben McCallan from the charity Zero Carbon Guildford said:

"There are multiple barriers to implementing green solutions, so we are really looking forward to teaming up with GCARE on this project, as we did with the UK's first 'living gate' installation at Sandfield Primary, to see how we can remove those blockers.

"In Guildford, there are areas that have a frightening level of nitrogen dioxide, and we are keen to work with GCARE to help citizens improve the air quality of their communities."

Sarah Jackson, Green Infrastructure and Climate Resilience Manager, Bath and North East Somerset Council, said:

"The GP4Streets project will support Bath and North East Somerset Council's priorities to tackle the climate and ecological emergencies and improve health in our communities. We have a strategy to green our neighbourhoods, and this research will help us to optimise green infrastructure interventions for individual streets and identify where investment will have most impact."

Maris Heath, Cabinet Member for Environment - Surrey County Council said:

"The GP4Streets Project is a fantastic opportunity to enhance our capabilities on our priority programmes of the Surrey Adapt Strategy. We are delighted to work with the University of Surrey, and the consortium across the country and to deliver benefits where they are most needed to enhance climate resilience."

[ENDS]

Notes to editors

The project participants are as follows: University of Surrey (Professor Prashant Kumar (lead) and Dr Thomas Roberts), Imperial College London (Professor Christopher Pain), University of Bath (Dr Thomas Kjeldsen and Dr Jannis Wenk), University of Sheffield (Tom Wild) and UWE Bristol (Dr Isabelle Bray and Professor Danielle Sinnett

Wildlife camera surveys in Viet Nam reveal the conservation importance of habitat transition zones

Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW)

image:
A glimpse of the faunal diversity of Nui Chua National Park in Viet Nam: A blue-rumped pitta (Hydrornis soror), a silver-backed chevrotain (Tragulus versicolor), a yellow-bellied weasel (Mustela kathiah) and a Siamese fireback (Lophura diardi). Photos by Leibniz-IZW
view more
Credit: Photos by Leibniz-IZW

Globally, tropical rain forests are among the most species-rich habitats and are therefore often prioritised in conservation efforts. A team of scientists from Viet Nam and Germany now show that the diversity of ground-dwelling mammals and birds in Nui Chua National Park (Viet Nam) is highest in semi-dry forest, the transitional habitat where dry and wet evergreen broadleaf forest habitats meet. These results highlight the conservation importance of habitat transition zones, the scientists write in a paper published in the journal “Biotropica”.

Nui Chua National Park, located in southern Viet Nam, is the only National Park within the coastal dry forest landscape of the country. The protected area is unique for its habitat diversity, with dry forest at low elevations, semi-dry forest in a transitional area and wet evergreen forest at high elevations. The National Park gained attention in 2018 when the silver-backed chevrotain (Tragulus versicolor) was rediscovered by scientists there.

To acquire baseline data on species occurrence and distribution in Nui Chua NP, a team of scientists conducted five camera trap surveys between 2018 and 2022. “While searching for the silver-backed chevrotain in the park, I was surprised by the high number of records of other species in the forest area where we rediscovered this endemic species”, says An Nguyen, doctoral student in the Department of Ecological Dynamics at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW). “This inspired us to look beyond the species level and investigate the ground-dwelling mammal and bird community in Nui Chua NP.” The team set up a total of 145 camera trap stations across the park to survey ground-dwelling mammals and birds. “The highest diversity was found in the semi-dry transition areas between the coastal dry forest and the high elevation rainforest.”

“Detailed insights into the occurrence and distribution of wildlife can help conservation planning and the prioritisation of limited conservation resources”, says Tran Van Tiep, Director of Nui Chua National Park. “Our results suggest we should pay special attention to semi-dry forest areas for conservation efforts in Nui Chua NP, particularly since this habitat has the highest biodiversity and highest occupancy of the highly threatened silver-backed chevrotain, the flagship species of our park. As these important transition habitats occur within the buffer zone but outside the National Park, we should consider including them within the park’s core zone.” The fact that the highly threatened silver-backed chevrotain likely has its largest population in the semi-dry forests of Nui Chua provides an additional incentive for protecting this habitat. Moving beyond Nui Chua NP, the scientists recommend that conservationists identify other semi-dry forest areas in the wider coastal dry forest landscape and protect these forests.

“The findings from this survey are in line with the exceptionally high botanical diversity that we have documented in the semi-dry coastal forest habitat”, says Truong, botanist and Director of the Southern Institute of Ecology. “This provides further evidence of the conservation importance of this transitional habitat, and the need to protect it along the coastal provinces of southern Viet Nam.”

Landscape of the Rui Chua National Park in Viet Nam

Credit

photo by Andrew Tilker/Leibniz-IZW