In the face of Russian aggression May needs friends

Russian strongman Vladimir Putin - Credit: PA Archive/PA Images

It is no secret that Russia attempted to influence the outcome of Brexit.

The same is likely true of the US election. And now Moscow is the prime suspect in a targeted hit on British soil.

Apart from booting out some Russians and sending them packing back to Moscow what can Theresa May do? She needs friends. But she has none.

In the old days a quick call to Washington would have at least ended with some reassurances of support. Alas, no longer. And our European friends? Well we don’t really have any these days do we?

This is what isolationism feels like – isn’t it grand? And of course Brexit will make this an even starker reality.

As it stands we are a regional power – let us not pretend we are anything else. And without the cover of the European Union and the security blanket of the US, people like Vladimir Putin see dear old Blighty as a perfect target for bullying.

Leaving the EU will diminish us globally rather than turn back the clock to the days of Empire which is what so many of the Brexiteers seem to be dreaming of.