Laura Phillips
@lauraphillips.bsky.social
Campaigner to support the BBC, (not a BBC employee).It’s affected by savage UK govt cuts: c40% 2010-2024. BBC costs <48 pence/around 62 US cents a day per UK household. It’s a national public service broadcaster, respected worldwide for accurate reporting.
Reuters: 'Iran and Russia will conduct navy drills in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean on Thursday, the Iranian semi-official Fars news agency reported, a few days after Revolutionary Guards conducted military drills in the Strait of Hormuz.' 1/
February 18, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Reuters: 'Iran and Russia will conduct navy drills in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean on Thursday, the Iranian semi-official Fars news agency reported, a few days after Revolutionary Guards conducted military drills in the Strait of Hormuz.' 1/
An anatomy of neglect, disillusion+a turn towards populism.
#BBC's Michael Buchanan+Adam Eley, " #Brexit has removed a key source of funding, which the area desperately needs..It's been close to 40 years since the mines were closed. How is it, locals ask, that we've been failed for so long?"
#BBC's Michael Buchanan+Adam Eley, " #Brexit has removed a key source of funding, which the area desperately needs..It's been close to 40 years since the mines were closed. How is it, locals ask, that we've been failed for so long?"
Inside Horden, the County Durham town failed by politics
In Horden, County Durham, Westminster slogans have long been left unmet as the population has plummeted.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 1:27 PM
James Orr is Senior Adviser to Nigel Farage+Head of Policy #Reform UK. #PeterThiel is co-founder of #Palantir used by UK MOD, NHS, Met Police, GCHQ. #BBCPanorama's excellent+important doc www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m... outlines his role in supporting #Trump+#Vance I can't recommend it highly enough.
February 18, 2026 at 12:01 PM
James Orr is Senior Adviser to Nigel Farage+Head of Policy #Reform UK. #PeterThiel is co-founder of #Palantir used by UK MOD, NHS, Met Police, GCHQ. #BBCPanorama's excellent+important doc www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m... outlines his role in supporting #Trump+#Vance I can't recommend it highly enough.
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
Lost my phone in London, with four credit cards and £150 cash in the case. Returned to me within 21 minutes. This hellhole of a city eh.
February 18, 2026 at 11:52 AM
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg: ‘That was quick...#RobertJenrick said on day after he defected #Reform would have to think about plans for benefit cap a month later he's just changed the policy, annoucing Reform would restore the cap in full, putting limits on benefits for families with more than 2 kids.’
February 18, 2026 at 11:50 AM
BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg: ‘That was quick...#RobertJenrick said on day after he defected #Reform would have to think about plans for benefit cap a month later he's just changed the policy, annoucing Reform would restore the cap in full, putting limits on benefits for families with more than 2 kids.’
“Most of the media today can’t bear to look at what’s actually wrong with Britain because that’s policy and needs work that they can’t be bothered to do. In any case, why worry when the next sugar-rush of personality or quasi-inquest politics will be along in a minute?”
My thoughts for @theguardian.com on the way politics and media obsess about the short term when we have much bigger problems to face.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
While we’re seeking to fix what’s wrong with Britain, look hard at our policy-lite, sensation-seeking media | Roger Mosey
Mandelson, Trump, Send: all need explanation with thought and clarity. We must end this obsession with ‘hot takes’, says Roger Mosey, former head of BBC TV News
www.theguardian.com
February 18, 2026 at 10:46 AM
“Most of the media today can’t bear to look at what’s actually wrong with Britain because that’s policy and needs work that they can’t be bothered to do. In any case, why worry when the next sugar-rush of personality or quasi-inquest politics will be along in a minute?”
Reposted by Laura Phillips
James Orr appointed by Farage as a senior advisor
February 18, 2026 at 10:39 AM
James Orr appointed by Farage as a senior advisor
The late, great John Hurt, David Warner+Blake Ritson in #Dante’s Divine Comedy, dramatised by Stephen Wyatt. 3pm Weds-Fri #BBCRadio4Extra/#BBCSounds. Only on #BBC. All part of <48p a day licence fee. Because we deserve the best of culture, universally available, free to hear (no extra charges).
BBC Radio 4 - The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, 1. Inferno
Dante finds himself in the middle of a dark wood in extreme personal and spiritual crisis.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 18, 2026 at 10:36 AM
The late, great John Hurt, David Warner+Blake Ritson in #Dante’s Divine Comedy, dramatised by Stephen Wyatt. 3pm Weds-Fri #BBCRadio4Extra/#BBCSounds. Only on #BBC. All part of <48p a day licence fee. Because we deserve the best of culture, universally available, free to hear (no extra charges).
James Orr posted on X, saying: “What a privilege to host Peter Thiel in Cambridge this week for a stunningly original and erudite series of [off the record] lectures. Thiel is the walking antidote to the modern multiversity. The highlight of our academic year.”
Controversial professor invited Peter Thiel to deliver 'anti-christ' lectures at Cambridge
James Orr described the right-wing billionaire as 'the walking antidote to the modern multiversity'
thetab.com
February 18, 2026 at 9:53 AM
James Orr posted on X, saying: “What a privilege to host Peter Thiel in Cambridge this week for a stunningly original and erudite series of [off the record] lectures. Thiel is the walking antidote to the modern multiversity. The highlight of our academic year.”
BBC’s Health Editor Hugh Pym: Pharmacies in England warn of cuts to services without a significant increase in Government funding. In a letter to Wes Streeting the National Pharmacy Association says some are at risk of imminent closure.DH says trying to turn round decade of underfunding and neglect.
February 18, 2026 at 8:18 AM
BBC’s Health Editor Hugh Pym: Pharmacies in England warn of cuts to services without a significant increase in Government funding. In a letter to Wes Streeting the National Pharmacy Association says some are at risk of imminent closure.DH says trying to turn round decade of underfunding and neglect.
BREAKING: UK inflation fell to 3% in January, down from 3.4% in December
February 18, 2026 at 7:03 AM
BREAKING: UK inflation fell to 3% in January, down from 3.4% in December
Reposted by Laura Phillips
Fact Check:
Nigel Farage claims the FT ignored the Mandelson-Epstein scandal
it was on the front page for SIX days
(long before he appears to have even noticed it)
Nigel Farage claims the FT ignored the Mandelson-Epstein scandal
it was on the front page for SIX days
(long before he appears to have even noticed it)
February 17, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Fact Check:
Nigel Farage claims the FT ignored the Mandelson-Epstein scandal
it was on the front page for SIX days
(long before he appears to have even noticed it)
Nigel Farage claims the FT ignored the Mandelson-Epstein scandal
it was on the front page for SIX days
(long before he appears to have even noticed it)
This Thursday, BBC Question Time is in Ringwood
Joining Fiona Bruce on the panel are Heidi Alexander, Richard Holden, Jon Sopel, and Robert Jenrick
Join #bbcqt, Thurs 19th, 9pm on #BBCiPlayer and #BBCSounds, 10:40pm on #BBCOne
Apply to be in the audience here: eu.castitreach.com/ag/mentorn/que…
Joining Fiona Bruce on the panel are Heidi Alexander, Richard Holden, Jon Sopel, and Robert Jenrick
Join #bbcqt, Thurs 19th, 9pm on #BBCiPlayer and #BBCSounds, 10:40pm on #BBCOne
Apply to be in the audience here: eu.castitreach.com/ag/mentorn/que…
February 17, 2026 at 8:02 PM
This Thursday, BBC Question Time is in Ringwood
Joining Fiona Bruce on the panel are Heidi Alexander, Richard Holden, Jon Sopel, and Robert Jenrick
Join #bbcqt, Thurs 19th, 9pm on #BBCiPlayer and #BBCSounds, 10:40pm on #BBCOne
Apply to be in the audience here: eu.castitreach.com/ag/mentorn/que…
Joining Fiona Bruce on the panel are Heidi Alexander, Richard Holden, Jon Sopel, and Robert Jenrick
Join #bbcqt, Thurs 19th, 9pm on #BBCiPlayer and #BBCSounds, 10:40pm on #BBCOne
Apply to be in the audience here: eu.castitreach.com/ag/mentorn/que…
#BBCRadio3 Through the Night: six hours of @EBU_HQ concerts & recordings, starting tonight with Iestyn Davies singing Handel & Mozart in Saanen 🇨🇭
Listen at 00.30 or here #BBCSounds (UK) any time for 30 days afterwards.
Listen at 00.30 or here #BBCSounds (UK) any time for 30 days afterwards.
BBC Radio 3 - Through the Night, Handel and Mozart from Switzerland
Countertenor Iestyn Davies joins the Chamber Orchestra of Europe in classical eras.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 7:55 PM
#BBCRadio3 Through the Night: six hours of @EBU_HQ concerts & recordings, starting tonight with Iestyn Davies singing Handel & Mozart in Saanen 🇨🇭
Listen at 00.30 or here #BBCSounds (UK) any time for 30 days afterwards.
Listen at 00.30 or here #BBCSounds (UK) any time for 30 days afterwards.
What is ‘home’ and who belongs in it?
“Unless Labour rediscovers its ethical ambition in dealing with the economic challenges of the age, and relearns a language of belonging that goes beyond virtuous assertion, such appeals risk being buried under a “unite the kingdom” St George’s flag”
“Unless Labour rediscovers its ethical ambition in dealing with the economic challenges of the age, and relearns a language of belonging that goes beyond virtuous assertion, such appeals risk being buried under a “unite the kingdom” St George’s flag”
Labour take note: the politics of home cannot be ceded to the nativist right | Julian Coman
Reform’s version of patriotism is opportunistic and bogus, but it is swaying voters. Labour must look to its roots to find a reply, says Guardian associate editor Julian Coman
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 7:36 PM
What is ‘home’ and who belongs in it?
“Unless Labour rediscovers its ethical ambition in dealing with the economic challenges of the age, and relearns a language of belonging that goes beyond virtuous assertion, such appeals risk being buried under a “unite the kingdom” St George’s flag”
“Unless Labour rediscovers its ethical ambition in dealing with the economic challenges of the age, and relearns a language of belonging that goes beyond virtuous assertion, such appeals risk being buried under a “unite the kingdom” St George’s flag”
February 17, 2026 at 6:54 PM
@barackobama.bsky.social ‘Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of a true giant, the Reverend Jesse Jackson. We will always be grateful for Jesse's lifetime of service, and the friendship our families share.’ 1/
February 17, 2026 at 6:05 PM
@barackobama.bsky.social ‘Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of a true giant, the Reverend Jesse Jackson. We will always be grateful for Jesse's lifetime of service, and the friendship our families share.’ 1/
Well.
Nigel Farage lashes out at a FT journalist and refuses to answer the question.
Is this how Reform UK would ignore media questions if they got into government?
Is this how Reform UK would ignore media questions if they got into government?
February 17, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Well.
First-look pictures for witty+painfully relatable eight-part drama series Two Weeks in August, coming soon to #BBCiPlayer and #BBCOne. Made by the multi-award-winning Various Artists Limited (I May Destroy You, Such Brave Girls) the series follows a group of friends reuniting for a summer holiday.
First-look pictures of new drama Two Weeks in August unveiled
Written by Catherine Shepherd, the series stars Jessica Raine, Damien Molony, Nicholas Pinnock, Antonia Thomas, Leila Farzad and Hugh Skinner
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 2:42 PM
First-look pictures for witty+painfully relatable eight-part drama series Two Weeks in August, coming soon to #BBCiPlayer and #BBCOne. Made by the multi-award-winning Various Artists Limited (I May Destroy You, Such Brave Girls) the series follows a group of friends reuniting for a summer holiday.
"I was mesmerised... He was a Baptist minister, and he could preach."
Dr Eddie Glaude, professor of African American studies at Princeton University, remembers civil rights activist Rev Jesse Jackson at the 1984 Democratic Party convention, who has died aged 84.
#BBCRadio4 #WorldAtOne
Dr Eddie Glaude, professor of African American studies at Princeton University, remembers civil rights activist Rev Jesse Jackson at the 1984 Democratic Party convention, who has died aged 84.
#BBCRadio4 #WorldAtOne
video.twimg.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:38 PM
"I was mesmerised... He was a Baptist minister, and he could preach."
Dr Eddie Glaude, professor of African American studies at Princeton University, remembers civil rights activist Rev Jesse Jackson at the 1984 Democratic Party convention, who has died aged 84.
#BBCRadio4 #WorldAtOne
Dr Eddie Glaude, professor of African American studies at Princeton University, remembers civil rights activist Rev Jesse Jackson at the 1984 Democratic Party convention, who has died aged 84.
#BBCRadio4 #WorldAtOne
Reuters: GENEVA- IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER: WE'VE REACHED AN UNDERSTANDING ON MAIN PRINCIPLES WITH THE U.S.
February 17, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Reuters: GENEVA- IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER: WE'VE REACHED AN UNDERSTANDING ON MAIN PRINCIPLES WITH THE U.S.