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.
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. 🧵
SOS save the #bbcworldservice
‘Perhaps Britain’s greatest gift to the world”in the 20th century’: Kofi Annan.
Money runs out in 7 weeks. No plan.
Pls lobby YvetteCooperMP Lisa Nandy, Keir Starmer John Healey MP
Please Email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
‘Perhaps Britain’s greatest gift to the world”in the 20th century’: Kofi Annan.
Money runs out in 7 weeks. No plan.
Pls lobby YvetteCooperMP Lisa Nandy, Keir Starmer John Healey MP
Please Email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM
SOS save the #bbcworldservice
‘Perhaps Britain’s greatest gift to the world”in the 20th century’: Kofi Annan.
Money runs out in 7 weeks. No plan.
Pls lobby YvetteCooperMP Lisa Nandy, Keir Starmer John Healey MP
Please Email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
‘Perhaps Britain’s greatest gift to the world”in the 20th century’: Kofi Annan.
Money runs out in 7 weeks. No plan.
Pls lobby YvetteCooperMP Lisa Nandy, Keir Starmer John Healey MP
Please Email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
‘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.’
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/
