The AfD’s rise is the centre left’s final warning

Alternative for Germany (AfD) will become the official opposition in the Bundestag .

No established party will enter coalition with the far right but Friedrich Merz is taking his lead from the AfD.

He has toughened his rhetoric on immigration and his approach markedly contrasts with Angela Merkel ’s liberal centrism, the politics of a dead era.

Serious sacrifices will be required if defence spending is to reach 3% of GDP.

Labour should return to the theme of “securonomics’, develop an integrated defence, economic and security strategy.

No more ministerial freelancing, incoherent politics, or progressive grandstanding.