The Opinion Matrix

COMMENT FROM HOME AND ABROAD

DECLINE IN INFLATION A step in the right direction but not enough Financial Times

We are trapped in old ways of thinking, convinced inflation will fall back to something that feels like a norm and that central banks will hurry to retreat to the warm waters of the low interest rates that dominated the post-crisis era until war and pestilence arrived. The reality is clearly more complicated than that. (Katie Martin)

Daily Express

The inflation drop to 3.2 per cent in March is another small step in the right direction, but we were all hoping for a bigger one. The real action will happen next month.

(Harvey Jones)

JAMES DALY Why is Tory complaining about Rayner?

Daily Mirror When resources are so stretched it shows a distorted sense of priorities for the police to focus on a political storm that has been whipped up by the Conservatives, rather than catching dangerous criminals. (Editorial)

New Statesman Labour riding high in the polls is probably enough to keep most of the public onside where Rayner is concerned. She may well be given the benefit of the doubt, with the whole story seen as rich Tories bullying a Labour politician from an underprivileged background. (David Gauke)

JOE BIDEN ON IRAN President has to stand up to the mullahs

Daily Telegraph

If Joe Biden were a serious president he would announce that the mullahs in Tehran have crossed a red line. He would declare that enough is enough, that no country can shoot hundreds of drones and missiles at its neighbours with impunity. He would understand the need to deter other rogue states.

(Allister Heath)

The Guardian America is bigger than Trump or Biden. While elections matter they only gain meaning as a way of expressing our values. We cannot be the source of arms that destroy the lives of millions of people. (Ahmed Moor)

BAN ON SMACKING We ought to treat children with respect

The Independent

I have young children and I cannot think of a single instance in which I would lay my hands on them. I believe we should treat kids with respect. I think they should be listened to, their feelings validated and space given to hear them out when they feel aggrieved – exactly as we do with adults. (Victoria Richards)

The Times

Not losing your shit with your kids isn’t the same as “gentle parenting”. You can still be tough and fearsome, set boundaries and dish out punishments without shouting or smacking. (Esther Walker)

CONSERVATIVE CONFERENCE An assault on democracy in Brussels

The Sun

When a conference of Conservative politicians, including two foreign prime ministers, was due to be held in Brussels, the local mayor knew what to do. Evict the delegates. And bar anyone from entering. This seemingly incredible assault on democracy happened this week.

(Rod Liddle)

Politico

Call it Nigel Farage’s Kitchen Nightmares. The National Conservatism Conference didn’t actually have juicy liberal tears on the menu, but rather bizarre little platters of mushrooms mixed with popcorn. (Claudia Chiappo)

SMOKING BAN CONTROVERSY Let people make up their own minds

The Spectator

The most worrying aspect is the two tiers of consumers. Once this principle is created, it won’t be long before the health lobby tries to extend the banned list of products, perhaps introducing an age limit for buying Terry’s Chocolate Oranges and Frosties. (Editorial)

Daily Mail

I argued that people should be left alone to make their own minds up. I greatly regret this. I am sure many ex-smokers were helped to stop by such bans, and is anyone really sorry that smoking has vanished from workplaces, pubs and restaurants? (Peter Hitchens)