On a number of occasions over the lifetime of this blog I have written about the need for our nation to end its sales of weapons to Saudi Arabia and challenge their human rights record. Occasionally a bold UK Minister will tiptoe around the issues in Yemen or the human rights record of a nation that our Prime Minister refers to as “a vital partner for the UK, particularly on counter-terrorism” In the case of Boris Johnson speaking candidly at the end of last year it was more a case of blundering around than tip toeing. However even Boris did not speak out in the way that Margot Wallstrom who is Boris Johnsons opposite number in Sweden has done. Like Boris Margot has felt the wrath of both her Government and the Arms Industry in her Country. While I disagree with Boris Johnson on almost all he does and says, when it came to his comments in December I believe he was spot on and it is time for the UK and Sweden to determine if we want to be seen as kowtowing to this bully nation or acting at the cutting edge of modern promoters of nations speaking truth to that power that threatens the security of all nations. It may seem foolish to expect a Government that has ignored many of us since 23rd May to pay attention to a call to allow the views of Johnson and Wallstrom to be heard together in such a way that Saudi Arabia is properly challenged, but as the saying goes, for evil to prosper all that is needed is for good people do nothing!