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.
@faisalislam.bsky.social: ‘Look up at the skyscrapers+cranes+look down at the buzz of a city full of young workers,+you see something occasionally elusive in Britain, a city full of growth+optimism.’ #Manchester is it a model? Or does it have unique assets? On #BBCRadio4’s In Other News
Could Manchester be a model for the UK to kickstart growth?
With an annual growth rate of 3.1%, Manchester's economy has performed twice as well as that of the UK as a whole.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 10:30 AM
@faisalislam.bsky.social: ‘Look up at the skyscrapers+cranes+look down at the buzz of a city full of young workers,+you see something occasionally elusive in Britain, a city full of growth+optimism.’ #Manchester is it a model? Or does it have unique assets? On #BBCRadio4’s In Other News
How do you want to get your #news? The #BBC public service model, keeping the largest number of people well-informed for <50p a day, or the billionaire owner one, subject to whims, prejudices, and craven kowtowing to raw, corrupt political power? Act now before you don’t have a choice.
Trump’s attack on the BBC is a harbinger of much worse to come
The BBC has its problems—but they are nothing compared to the American billionaires who control much of US media
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 12:36 AM
@barackobama.bsky.social: “There's this sort of clown show that's happening in social media+on television.And what is true is that there doesn't seem to be any shame about this among people who used to feel like you had to have some sort of decorum+a sense of propriety+respect for the office,right?”
Obama addresses racist video shared by Trump depicting him as an ape
The former US president didn't name Trump, but lamented the lack of
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 12:14 AM
@barackobama.bsky.social: “There's this sort of clown show that's happening in social media+on television.And what is true is that there doesn't seem to be any shame about this among people who used to feel like you had to have some sort of decorum+a sense of propriety+respect for the office,right?”
Through the Night: six hours of @EBU_HQ concerts & recordings, starting tonight with Lisa Streich, Strauss & Bruckner from Stockholm 🇸🇪
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, Bruckner's Fourth Symphony from Stockholm
The Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra play Lisa Streich, Richard Strauss and Bruckner.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 12:02 AM
Through the Night: six hours of @EBU_HQ concerts & recordings, starting tonight with Lisa Streich, Strauss & Bruckner from Stockholm 🇸🇪
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.
Reposted by Laura Phillips
“Women are proud of you, thank you”
Gisèle Pelicot becomes emotional as she responds to messages of support from women across France
The interview with this incredible woman is on BBC iplayer now (‘Gisele Pelicot - the Newsnight Interview’)
Gisèle Pelicot becomes emotional as she responds to messages of support from women across France
The interview with this incredible woman is on BBC iplayer now (‘Gisele Pelicot - the Newsnight Interview’)
February 14, 2026 at 2:36 PM
“Women are proud of you, thank you”
Gisèle Pelicot becomes emotional as she responds to messages of support from women across France
The interview with this incredible woman is on BBC iplayer now (‘Gisele Pelicot - the Newsnight Interview’)
Gisèle Pelicot becomes emotional as she responds to messages of support from women across France
The interview with this incredible woman is on BBC iplayer now (‘Gisele Pelicot - the Newsnight Interview’)
Reposted by Laura Phillips
Alex is one of the best communicators in the EU. A consistent theme of his interventions is to change the narrative - on Russia, on European competitiveness
He's right
He's right
February 14, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Alex is one of the best communicators in the EU. A consistent theme of his interventions is to change the narrative - on Russia, on European competitiveness
He's right
He's right
Reposted by Laura Phillips
Alex Stubb on EU competitiveness - excellent
"Economists look at crude GDP... but I look at our Gini coefficients.. & whether it's justice, least corrupt, open, welfare, environment, open media, gender equality.. I don't buy the argument we're doing bad. I'm actually bloody happy"
MSC '26
"Economists look at crude GDP... but I look at our Gini coefficients.. & whether it's justice, least corrupt, open, welfare, environment, open media, gender equality.. I don't buy the argument we're doing bad. I'm actually bloody happy"
MSC '26
February 14, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Alex Stubb on EU competitiveness - excellent
"Economists look at crude GDP... but I look at our Gini coefficients.. & whether it's justice, least corrupt, open, welfare, environment, open media, gender equality.. I don't buy the argument we're doing bad. I'm actually bloody happy"
MSC '26
"Economists look at crude GDP... but I look at our Gini coefficients.. & whether it's justice, least corrupt, open, welfare, environment, open media, gender equality.. I don't buy the argument we're doing bad. I'm actually bloody happy"
MSC '26
‘[Jeremy] Bowen can speak more firmly than younger colleagues. The #BBC is shaken: many journalists are furious that one of the BBC's own directors, #RobbieGibb, appointed by then prime minister #BorisJohnson, has fanned allegations of bias.’ 1/
BBC international editor Jeremy Bowen: ‘I do this to tell people what the hell is happening’
The veteran correspondent on the future of the Middle East, why impartiality matters — and his ‘long view’ on Britain’s national broadcaster
www.ft.com
February 14, 2026 at 2:39 PM
‘[Jeremy] Bowen can speak more firmly than younger colleagues. The #BBC is shaken: many journalists are furious that one of the BBC's own directors, #RobbieGibb, appointed by then prime minister #BorisJohnson, has fanned allegations of bias.’ 1/
@alexwickham.bsky.social: ‘The UK today confirms Alexei Navalny was poisoned in prison by Russia’ 1/
February 14, 2026 at 1:20 PM
@alexwickham.bsky.social: ‘The UK today confirms Alexei Navalny was poisoned in prison by Russia’ 1/
👇🏻
Latest BBC Newswatch viewers ask about BBC making not reporting news about PM, & we ask why BBC News in a half hour interview failed to ask Bill Gates about Epstein. On link now:https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002rm4l
BBC News - Newswatch, 14/02/2026
Did BBC News help create a narrative that Keir Starmer’s job was under threat?
www.bbc.co.uk
February 14, 2026 at 1:02 PM
👇🏻
Reposted by Laura Phillips
Rubio has a personal interest in saying nice(ish) things to Europe; the Trump administration as a whole has a strong interest in Europe not acting on the rupture the White House has created. None of this means an actual change of direction in US foreign policy.
February 14, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Rubio has a personal interest in saying nice(ish) things to Europe; the Trump administration as a whole has a strong interest in Europe not acting on the rupture the White House has created. None of this means an actual change of direction in US foreign policy.
Reposted by Laura Phillips
A Europe that no longer trusts the US as a security partner would also have significant consequences for US trade, perhaps above all in the defence sector. All these are big incentives to try to stop a full breach with Europe taking place.
February 14, 2026 at 12:56 PM
A Europe that no longer trusts the US as a security partner would also have significant consequences for US trade, perhaps above all in the defence sector. All these are big incentives to try to stop a full breach with Europe taking place.
Reposted by Laura Phillips
A Europe (+ Canada) with the capacity to act independently of the US would obviously be a huge block to US interests in the continent, as the Trump admin understands them. It would also undermine the US's great power standing if its closest allies detached themselves.
February 14, 2026 at 12:56 PM
A Europe (+ Canada) with the capacity to act independently of the US would obviously be a huge block to US interests in the continent, as the Trump admin understands them. It would also undermine the US's great power standing if its closest allies detached themselves.
Reposted by Laura Phillips
It's been clear for the whole of the last year (and before) that the Trump administration is focused on developing economic ties with Russia; supporting Russia's full rehabilitation; forcing Ukraine's capitulation; and preventing NATO/EU states acting as spoilers.
February 14, 2026 at 12:56 PM
It's been clear for the whole of the last year (and before) that the Trump administration is focused on developing economic ties with Russia; supporting Russia's full rehabilitation; forcing Ukraine's capitulation; and preventing NATO/EU states acting as spoilers.
Reposted by Laura Phillips
Since Feb 2025, we've seen threats to annex territory of two NATO allies; tariff threats against allies opposing this; the red carpet rolled out for Putin in Alaska; the US siding with Russia over Ukraine; and an NSS that says Europe needs to get over their Russia concerns.
February 14, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Since Feb 2025, we've seen threats to annex territory of two NATO allies; tariff threats against allies opposing this; the red carpet rolled out for Putin in Alaska; the US siding with Russia over Ukraine; and an NSS that says Europe needs to get over their Russia concerns.
Reposted by Laura Phillips
What's happened in the year since people came back from the MSC talking about how the Vance/Trump position is performative, or just a brash variant of what other presidents have said, and how behind the scenes the pro-Europeans were making sure it was largely business as usual?
February 14, 2026 at 12:56 PM
What's happened in the year since people came back from the MSC talking about how the Vance/Trump position is performative, or just a brash variant of what other presidents have said, and how behind the scenes the pro-Europeans were making sure it was largely business as usual?
Reposted by Laura Phillips
At last year's MSC, while Vance was hectoring Europe, other Americans were trying to persuade policymakers and commentators not to take it all too seriously. Many were eager to buy what these Europe-whisperers were selling. But it was, and is, an illusion.
February 14, 2026 at 12:56 PM
At last year's MSC, while Vance was hectoring Europe, other Americans were trying to persuade policymakers and commentators not to take it all too seriously. Many were eager to buy what these Europe-whisperers were selling. But it was, and is, an illusion.
Reposted by Laura Phillips
The most important thing about Rubio's speech, though, is that it's completely irrelevant as a guide to Trump administration policy.
February 14, 2026 at 12:56 PM
The most important thing about Rubio's speech, though, is that it's completely irrelevant as a guide to Trump administration policy.
Reposted by Laura Phillips
The kind of language he uses isn't hostile, but it's also typical of the Trump admin (shared civilisation, heritage, Christianity) and tries to give the impression of friendship and alliance while actually not offering either ("your fate will never be irrelevant to our own").
February 14, 2026 at 12:56 PM
The kind of language he uses isn't hostile, but it's also typical of the Trump admin (shared civilisation, heritage, Christianity) and tries to give the impression of friendship and alliance while actually not offering either ("your fate will never be irrelevant to our own").
Reposted by Laura Phillips
It doesn't mean that a Rubio presidency would want or be able to commit the diplomatic and other resources necessary to fully repair the alliance with Europe, but it would almost certainly be less hostile. You can see him trying to lay the groundwork for that here.
February 14, 2026 at 12:56 PM
It doesn't mean that a Rubio presidency would want or be able to commit the diplomatic and other resources necessary to fully repair the alliance with Europe, but it would almost certainly be less hostile. You can see him trying to lay the groundwork for that here.
Reposted by Laura Phillips
Marco Rubio is positioning himself as the "I'm not disloyal to Trump, but I'm also not JD Vance" 2028 candidate. A Rubio presidency would have a very different foreign policy to the Trump administration. Maintaining/repairing relations with Europe now will be helpful later on.
February 14, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Marco Rubio is positioning himself as the "I'm not disloyal to Trump, but I'm also not JD Vance" 2028 candidate. A Rubio presidency would have a very different foreign policy to the Trump administration. Maintaining/repairing relations with Europe now will be helpful later on.
Reposted by Laura Phillips
There will be people who are understandably desperate to hear this, but it's important to be clear-eyed about Rubio himself and what the Trump administration is doing. 🧵
February 14, 2026 at 12:56 PM
There will be people who are understandably desperate to hear this, but it's important to be clear-eyed about Rubio himself and what the Trump administration is doing. 🧵
