Rich, smug Americans with an iffy private life - The White Lotus is back!

For a while now, I've found myself baffled by Kemi Badenoch's performances at prime minister's questions.

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Monday

To put it bluntly, she's just not very good. Borderline hopeless. She seems to have put in little or no preparation and has made what should be an awkward session for Keir Starmer into one of his most enjoyable moments of the week.

Now senior Conservatives have started to say much the same thing and are openly wondering if they might have elected the wrong leader. Some are even suggesting Kemi may need to be replaced soon. This would be unlikely; forcing Badenoch out would be an even worse look for the Tories. But what is really causing them angst is that Kemi doesn't seem to be improving. We are living in serious times and she gives the impression of being a deeply unserious politician.

Today was a case in point. There is a real war going on in Ukraine and the US and Russia are trying to broker a deal without the Ukrainians. This is a critical moment for the west. And what was Kemi doing? Speaking at the alt-right Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference about how the real danger the west faces is a culture war. "I am saying the unsayable," she said. She was unaware that no one was stopping her saying anything. Everyone at the conference was free to say whatever nonsense they wanted.

Tuesday

Donald Trump built his reputation in real estate and TV on being the "Master of the Deal". His stated shtick in a 1987 ghost-written book was always to get the best deal for himself and let someone else take the hit. Presumably that's why his businesses filed for bankruptcy six times. More fool his creditors. And this is why the US president's latest venture to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia has blindsided every western country. Because at first glance he appeared to have given away all his bargaining chips before he had sat round the table. Excluded Ukraine from the first round of talks. Surrendered Ukrainian territory unilaterally. Declared that no US troops would be put on the ground as peacekeepers.