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.
‘The trouble comes when that two-faced game is perceived by the public to have spread to those at the top of the institution, who certainly have no part in alleged crimes, but have not dispelled the increasingly noxious impression of the institution having been adjacent to a cover-up.’
Some PR advice for the Andrew-stricken royals – try something that look less like a $12m cover-up | Marina Hyde
A big loan to keep the case out of court doesn’t quite add up to ‘thoughts and prayers to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein’. Working with the police might be a start, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:17 PM
‘The trouble comes when that two-faced game is perceived by the public to have spread to those at the top of the institution, who certainly have no part in alleged crimes, but have not dispelled the increasingly noxious impression of the institution having been adjacent to a cover-up.’
‘That’s why we must work together and show that by taking responsibility for our own security. In a volatile world, we help our people look forward not with fear, but with determination - and hope"’ 9
February 13, 2026 at 10:45 PM
‘That’s why we must work together and show that by taking responsibility for our own security. In a volatile world, we help our people look forward not with fear, but with determination - and hope"’ 9
‘“If we want to repair our social fabric, if we believe in our values, in democracy, liberty, the rule of law, then this is the moment to stand up and fight for them,+prove that they are worth fighting for.’ 8/
February 13, 2026 at 10:45 PM
‘“If we want to repair our social fabric, if we believe in our values, in democracy, liberty, the rule of law, then this is the moment to stand up and fight for them,+prove that they are worth fighting for.’ 8/
‘The future they offer is one of division and then capitulation. The lamps would go out across Europe once again. But we will not let that happen.’ 7/
February 13, 2026 at 10:45 PM
‘The future they offer is one of division and then capitulation. The lamps would go out across Europe once again. But we will not let that happen.’ 7/
‘“It’s striking that the different ends of the spectrum share so much. Soft on Russia+weak on NATO - if not outright opposed. And determined to sacrifice the longstanding relationships that we want+need to build, on the altar of their ideology.’ 6/
February 13, 2026 at 10:44 PM
‘“It’s striking that the different ends of the spectrum share so much. Soft on Russia+weak on NATO - if not outright opposed. And determined to sacrifice the longstanding relationships that we want+need to build, on the altar of their ideology.’ 6/
‘In a dig at Reform+the Greens, he will add: "We must level with the public and build consent for the decisions we will have to take to keep us all safe. Because, if we don’t, the peddlers of easy answers on the extreme left+the extreme right are ready. They will offer their solutions instead.’ 5/
February 13, 2026 at 10:44 PM
‘In a dig at Reform+the Greens, he will add: "We must level with the public and build consent for the decisions we will have to take to keep us all safe. Because, if we don’t, the peddlers of easy answers on the extreme left+the extreme right are ready. They will offer their solutions instead.’ 5/
‘There is no British security without Europe, and no European security without Britain. That is the lesson of history - and it is today’s reality too"’ 4/
February 13, 2026 at 10:43 PM
‘There is no British security without Europe, and no European security without Britain. That is the lesson of history - and it is today’s reality too"’ 4/
‘He will say: “We are not the Britain of the Brexit years anymore. Because we know that, in dangerous times, we would not take control by turning inward - we would surrender it. And I won’t let that happen.’ 3/
February 13, 2026 at 10:43 PM
‘He will say: “We are not the Britain of the Brexit years anymore. Because we know that, in dangerous times, we would not take control by turning inward - we would surrender it. And I won’t let that happen.’ 3/
‘Starmer will say in a speech tomorrow morning that Europe must shift from overdependence on the US and towards a more European NATO, underpinned by "deeper links between the UK and the EU"’ 2/
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February 13, 2026 at 10:42 PM
‘Starmer will say in a speech tomorrow morning that Europe must shift from overdependence on the US and towards a more European NATO, underpinned by "deeper links between the UK and the EU"’ 2/
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Politics UK: ‘NEW: Keir Starmer will attack the Greens and Reform at the Munich Security Conference tomorrow for being "soft on Russia and weak on NATO"
"[They are] determined to sacrifice the longstanding relationships that we want and need to build, on the altar of their ideology"1/
"[They are] determined to sacrifice the longstanding relationships that we want and need to build, on the altar of their ideology"1/
February 13, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Politics UK: ‘NEW: Keir Starmer will attack the Greens and Reform at the Munich Security Conference tomorrow for being "soft on Russia and weak on NATO"
"[They are] determined to sacrifice the longstanding relationships that we want and need to build, on the altar of their ideology"1/
"[They are] determined to sacrifice the longstanding relationships that we want and need to build, on the altar of their ideology"1/
@ipsosintheuk.bsky.social: 'Brits would find it most difficult to be in a relationship with someone who supported Reform UK (40%).
They would find it easiest to be in a relationship with someone who supported the Greens (40%), Labour (39%) or the Lib Dems (36%) 💘'
They would find it easiest to be in a relationship with someone who supported the Greens (40%), Labour (39%) or the Lib Dems (36%) 💘'
February 13, 2026 at 5:32 PM
@ipsosintheuk.bsky.social: 'Brits would find it most difficult to be in a relationship with someone who supported Reform UK (40%).
They would find it easiest to be in a relationship with someone who supported the Greens (40%), Labour (39%) or the Lib Dems (36%) 💘'
They would find it easiest to be in a relationship with someone who supported the Greens (40%), Labour (39%) or the Lib Dems (36%) 💘'
'In a separate clip, taken from a podcast he recorded with controversial right-wing philosopher Jordan Peterson, Mr Goodwin also appeared to agree with the host’s claim that universities have become hotbeds of “politically correct authoritarianism” because they are full of “childless women”.'
Reform by-election candidate calls for ‘young girls’ to be given ‘biological reality’ check
Reform candidate calls for ‘young girls’ to be given ‘biological reality’ check
Exclusive: Matt Goodwin argued ‘young girls’ should be explained ‘the biological reality’ that ‘many women in Britain are having children much too late in life’
trib.al
February 13, 2026 at 5:22 PM
'In a separate clip, taken from a podcast he recorded with controversial right-wing philosopher Jordan Peterson, Mr Goodwin also appeared to agree with the host’s claim that universities have become hotbeds of “politically correct authoritarianism” because they are full of “childless women”.'
Reposted by Laura Phillips
To understand the world’s most powerful news machine and its complicated, irascible mastermind, you have to understand the family behind them, argues the author of “Bonfire of the Murdochs”
Real-life “Succession”: Media’s most dysfunctional family
An absorbing history of Rupert Murdoch, the last of his breed of media baron
econ.st
February 13, 2026 at 5:20 PM
To understand the world’s most powerful news machine and its complicated, irascible mastermind, you have to understand the family behind them, argues the author of “Bonfire of the Murdochs”
"The realistic thing to say is that we have to make sure there are no further Russian gains but that a peace settlement is coming and the peace settlement will involve concessions." 8.
February 13, 2026 at 5:03 PM
"The realistic thing to say is that we have to make sure there are no further Russian gains but that a peace settlement is coming and the peace settlement will involve concessions." 8.
"It is actually difficult to put a balanced, slightly nuanced argument based on knowledge+fact up against emotion+it's black or white..Unlike most other politicians I'm actually quite well read I've got a broad sense of history+economics..I am able to take a long-term view." 6/
February 13, 2026 at 5:02 PM
"It is actually difficult to put a balanced, slightly nuanced argument based on knowledge+fact up against emotion+it's black or white..Unlike most other politicians I'm actually quite well read I've got a broad sense of history+economics..I am able to take a long-term view." 6/
Also #NigelFarage "A democratically elected president of #Ukraine was brought down by a street coup [2014]..#Democracy was destroyed by those that wanted to drag Ukraine westward rather than eastward..Picking goodies+baddies is a very difficult+dangerous game." 5/
February 13, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Also #NigelFarage "A democratically elected president of #Ukraine was brought down by a street coup [2014]..#Democracy was destroyed by those that wanted to drag Ukraine westward rather than eastward..Picking goodies+baddies is a very difficult+dangerous game." 5/
You can hear the conversation between Nick Robinson and Nigel Farage about identity, integration+racism; whether he's a Thatcherite or a Corbynite; Broken Britain, Trump, Putin+being "half ready" for government on #BBCSounds 4/
February 13, 2026 at 5:01 PM
You can hear the conversation between Nick Robinson and Nigel Farage about identity, integration+racism; whether he's a Thatcherite or a Corbynite; Broken Britain, Trump, Putin+being "half ready" for government on #BBCSounds 4/
'Farage talks about "putting our own people first” but is reluctant to define what he means by "our people". He says what matters is how you feel not your DNA. This matters if
Reform are to ever take power.' 3/
Reform are to ever take power.' 3/
February 13, 2026 at 4:59 PM
'Farage talks about "putting our own people first” but is reluctant to define what he means by "our people". He says what matters is how you feel not your DNA. This matters if
Reform are to ever take power.' 3/
Reform are to ever take power.' 3/
Nick Robinson: 'I ask him on Political Thinking because
Matt Goodwin - the man Farage wants to join him in Parliament - says “People can identify as British and indeed English in terms of nationality but many (eg Rishi Sunak) are not English in terms of ethnicity."' 2/
Matt Goodwin - the man Farage wants to join him in Parliament - says “People can identify as British and indeed English in terms of nationality but many (eg Rishi Sunak) are not English in terms of ethnicity."' 2/
February 13, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Nick Robinson: 'I ask him on Political Thinking because
Matt Goodwin - the man Farage wants to join him in Parliament - says “People can identify as British and indeed English in terms of nationality but many (eg Rishi Sunak) are not English in terms of ethnicity."' 2/
Matt Goodwin - the man Farage wants to join him in Parliament - says “People can identify as British and indeed English in terms of nationality but many (eg Rishi Sunak) are not English in terms of ethnicity."' 2/
BBC's Nick Robinson: 'Is RishiSunak English? Of course he says BUT does Nigel Farage agree? '1/
Political Thinking with Nick Robinson - Nigel Farage: 'Broken Britain', national identity and lessons from Trump - BBC Sounds
A frank conversation with the leader of Reform UK.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 4:56 PM
BBC's Nick Robinson: 'Is RishiSunak English? Of course he says BUT does Nigel Farage agree? '1/
I can only imagine..I think his sensitivity comes through in his reporting+could, perhaps, also be a source of the vulnerability that might lead there?? He's seen a great deal and experienced a great deal personally and professionally. I'm not the slightest bit surprised that he's writing a novel.
February 13, 2026 at 2:13 PM
I can only imagine..I think his sensitivity comes through in his reporting+could, perhaps, also be a source of the vulnerability that might lead there?? He's seen a great deal and experienced a great deal personally and professionally. I'm not the slightest bit surprised that he's writing a novel.
I will miss Fergal Keane’s unique voice. His sense of compassion and empathy is notable and allows audiences an understanding of the victims of war that emphasises their individuality and humanity. Good luck for the future. Look forward to reading his fiction and to his long form work for the BBC.
Fergal Keane to leave the BBC after 37 years
During his time at the BBC, Fergal has become one of the most recognisable and respected voices in world affairs
www.bbc.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 12:40 PM
I will miss Fergal Keane’s unique voice. His sense of compassion and empathy is notable and allows audiences an understanding of the victims of war that emphasises their individuality and humanity. Good luck for the future. Look forward to reading his fiction and to his long form work for the BBC.
Source for the above:
Nigel Farage’s popularity dips as Reform UK surges in polls
YouGov figures point to challenges ahead for populist party’s leader as he seeks to win backing from more voters
www.ft.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:29 PM
Source for the above: