Marc Cooper
@marccooper.bsky.social
This is my politics account, which I keep separate from my personal/real life account. In general, I only engage if I believe I have something useful to contribute, otherwise I'm mostly watching from the sidelines.
Remember: Marketing is a psychopathy.
Remember: Marketing is a psychopathy.
Pinned
Marc Cooper
@marccooper.bsky.social
· Mar 12
This is not a Labour government.
Reposted by Marc Cooper
This stuff is honestly so far gone now, it would take a political generation to rebuild. And none of the incentives in British politics are taking us that way.
At some point, for the love of God, will someone ANYONE at long last take the council funding crisis seriously?!?
Because THIS is what will break down a society, not some poor soul escaping incredible dangers, arriving on our shores.
Because THIS is what will break down a society, not some poor soul escaping incredible dangers, arriving on our shores.
English councils plan to sell off social clubs and sports centres to balance books
November 15, 2025 at 8:57 PM
This stuff is honestly so far gone now, it would take a political generation to rebuild. And none of the incentives in British politics are taking us that way.
Reposted by Marc Cooper
New Substack: chrisdillow.substack.com/p/on-incompe... Parts of the Labour party and BBC simply don't know what their jobs should be.
On incompetence
Much of our political culture is fundamentally incompetent.
chrisdillow.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:47 AM
New Substack: chrisdillow.substack.com/p/on-incompe... Parts of the Labour party and BBC simply don't know what their jobs should be.
Reposted by Marc Cooper
I agree with @arusbridger.bsky.social about BBC governance. Although v hesitant about another rearrangement, the single corporate-style board is massively flawed, not least because there needs to be some distance for the governors/board members from editorial decisions
Michael Prescott and Sir Robbie Gibb both bailed out of journalism years ago, and enjoy lucrative careers in corporate PR. And now they are the arbiters of BBC editorial standards. Go figure www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/media/...
The BBC has bigger impartiality problems than its coverage of Trump
It is the BBC’s entire governance structure–rather than individual stories–that should cause most concern
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 7:46 AM
I agree with @arusbridger.bsky.social about BBC governance. Although v hesitant about another rearrangement, the single corporate-style board is massively flawed, not least because there needs to be some distance for the governors/board members from editorial decisions
Reposted by Marc Cooper
Tips for the next DG:
1 - Don't stake your future on impartiality. Perfect impartiality is impossible. Focus on accuracy and accountability. Let journalists and producers do their job. If they get it badly wrong, sack them.
2 - Reverse the deliberate, prolonged cut to arts programming.
1 - Don't stake your future on impartiality. Perfect impartiality is impossible. Focus on accuracy and accountability. Let journalists and producers do their job. If they get it badly wrong, sack them.
2 - Reverse the deliberate, prolonged cut to arts programming.
November 9, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Tips for the next DG:
1 - Don't stake your future on impartiality. Perfect impartiality is impossible. Focus on accuracy and accountability. Let journalists and producers do their job. If they get it badly wrong, sack them.
2 - Reverse the deliberate, prolonged cut to arts programming.
1 - Don't stake your future on impartiality. Perfect impartiality is impossible. Focus on accuracy and accountability. Let journalists and producers do their job. If they get it badly wrong, sack them.
2 - Reverse the deliberate, prolonged cut to arts programming.
Reposted by Marc Cooper
Sobering news for a lot of top Democrats, tonight, as they realize people would prefer they actually fucking do something.
November 5, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Sobering news for a lot of top Democrats, tonight, as they realize people would prefer they actually fucking do something.
Reposted by Marc Cooper
A wonderful article on Royal privilege & the colossal resources of the British monarchy. Resources that in my own opinion should be national not private assets. It is time for the Royal Collection of art in particular to be in public ownership & used for the nation's benefit.
Last Wednesday a colossal statue seen by millions at Kew Gardens for 60 years was removed. The King, whose mother sent the work to Kew in 1963, wanted it back. A curious story of the exercise of Royal will www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/monarc...
The curious case of the King and the statue
A statue of Hercules admired by millions has disappeared from Kew Gardens. Why has Charles decided to remove a prime piece of public art?
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 10:38 AM
A wonderful article on Royal privilege & the colossal resources of the British monarchy. Resources that in my own opinion should be national not private assets. It is time for the Royal Collection of art in particular to be in public ownership & used for the nation's benefit.
Reposted by Marc Cooper
Makes his own kimchi and likes the warm sound you only get with vinyl.
October 29, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Makes his own kimchi and likes the warm sound you only get with vinyl.
Reposted by Marc Cooper
This is why the Greens are rising in the polls, and why Labour have fallen so far. Labour’s ’natural supporters’ aren’t anti-immigrant. They’re not xenophobic. Labour’s leadership are alienating them, and now they have somewhere to go.
Well said.
Well said.
October 16, 2025 at 7:44 PM
This is why the Greens are rising in the polls, and why Labour have fallen so far. Labour’s ’natural supporters’ aren’t anti-immigrant. They’re not xenophobic. Labour’s leadership are alienating them, and now they have somewhere to go.
Well said.
Well said.
Reposted by Marc Cooper
In A Glass of Blessings (1958) Barbara Pym says the post arrived 2-3 times a day in the run-up to Xmas. Which reminds us that technical regress is a thing: enshittification isn't just for the internet. Here's one I wrote earlier: chrisdillow.substack.com/p/technical-...
October 15, 2025 at 11:18 AM
In A Glass of Blessings (1958) Barbara Pym says the post arrived 2-3 times a day in the run-up to Xmas. Which reminds us that technical regress is a thing: enshittification isn't just for the internet. Here's one I wrote earlier: chrisdillow.substack.com/p/technical-...
Reposted by Marc Cooper
Limited liability is one of our weird silences. It's a massive free gift society makes to plutocrats, seldom remarked upon, let alone contested.
Shareholders should have to buy limited liability, like any other insurance. The insurers would then be liable. 🧵
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
Shareholders should have to buy limited liability, like any other insurance. The insurers would then be liable. 🧵
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
Will UK taxpayers get their £122m back from PPE Medpro?
The high court told the company linked to Michelle Mone to pay up over the supply of defective gowns, but there appears no clear route to reclaim the funds
www.theguardian.com
October 11, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Limited liability is one of our weird silences. It's a massive free gift society makes to plutocrats, seldom remarked upon, let alone contested.
Shareholders should have to buy limited liability, like any other insurance. The insurers would then be liable. 🧵
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
Shareholders should have to buy limited liability, like any other insurance. The insurers would then be liable. 🧵
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
Reposted by Marc Cooper
Ah, happy 88th anniversary of the day Oswald Mosley tried to sell fascism to Liverpudlians – and someone concussed him with a brick
October 10, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Ah, happy 88th anniversary of the day Oswald Mosley tried to sell fascism to Liverpudlians – and someone concussed him with a brick
Reposted by Marc Cooper
“You can’t blame austerity on one hand, but then say it’s the immigrants. The immigrants haven’t caused austerity.”
Zack Polanski takes on Reform’s Zia Yusuf over spreading of misinformation on #BBCQT
Zack Polanski takes on Reform’s Zia Yusuf over spreading of misinformation on #BBCQT
October 9, 2025 at 8:56 PM
“You can’t blame austerity on one hand, but then say it’s the immigrants. The immigrants haven’t caused austerity.”
Zack Polanski takes on Reform’s Zia Yusuf over spreading of misinformation on #BBCQT
Zack Polanski takes on Reform’s Zia Yusuf over spreading of misinformation on #BBCQT
Reposted by Marc Cooper
Woke Pope Says Nope To DisInfo Slope
Pope Leo XIV has encouraged international news agencies to stand firm as a bulwark against the "ancient art of lying" and manipulation.
Pope urges news agencies to stand as bulwark against lies, manipulation and post-truths
Pope Leo XIV has encouraged international news agencies to stand firm as a bulwark against the “ancient art of lying” and manipulation.
bit.ly
October 9, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Woke Pope Says Nope To DisInfo Slope
Reposted by Marc Cooper
We will rebuild
Horrible, horrible images from Portland:
It was a beautiful Sunday in Portland. Farmer’s markets, the Portland Marathon, peaceful protests, and some views of Mt. Hood. This city is vibrant, peaceful, and resilient. We do not need a federal occupation, and we sure as hell don’t want one.
October 7, 2025 at 4:14 PM
We will rebuild
Reposted by Marc Cooper
Prof. Gurdon was Master at Magdalene when I was an undergraduate. I remember trying to make small talk while he had students over (generously) for Sunday lunch. But I also remember him making a magnificent job of introducing Nelson Mandela, who was being made an honorary fellow of the college..(1/n)
It is with great sadness that the University shares the news of the death of Professor Sir John Gurdon, founder of the @gurdoninstitute.bsky.social
Read our tribute to the visionary Nobel Laureate and watch an interview from 2012, just after he won: https://bit.ly/4mM8o3r
Read our tribute to the visionary Nobel Laureate and watch an interview from 2012, just after he won: https://bit.ly/4mM8o3r
October 8, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Prof. Gurdon was Master at Magdalene when I was an undergraduate. I remember trying to make small talk while he had students over (generously) for Sunday lunch. But I also remember him making a magnificent job of introducing Nelson Mandela, who was being made an honorary fellow of the college..(1/n)
Reposted by Marc Cooper
Am wondering if all of those suddenly deciding they’re against communities living “parallel lives” might reconsider their support of religious schools? Or indeed private ones?
October 7, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Am wondering if all of those suddenly deciding they’re against communities living “parallel lives” might reconsider their support of religious schools? Or indeed private ones?
Reposted by Marc Cooper
Damn. This is amazing. £325 per week, paid monthly, for 3 years - and the result was a profit for the Irish economy:
www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...
www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...
October 6, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Damn. This is amazing. £325 per week, paid monthly, for 3 years - and the result was a profit for the Irish economy:
www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...
www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employmen...
Reposted by Marc Cooper
The brilliance of Britain is that it is a concept. Its whole point is it is a *liberal* place.
We don't care what religion you are, what colour your skin is, what your backgorund is, what your beliefs are. We don't subject anyone to the choices of others.
We invented liberalism.
/2
We don't care what religion you are, what colour your skin is, what your backgorund is, what your beliefs are. We don't subject anyone to the choices of others.
We invented liberalism.
/2
October 6, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The brilliance of Britain is that it is a concept. Its whole point is it is a *liberal* place.
We don't care what religion you are, what colour your skin is, what your backgorund is, what your beliefs are. We don't subject anyone to the choices of others.
We invented liberalism.
/2
We don't care what religion you are, what colour your skin is, what your backgorund is, what your beliefs are. We don't subject anyone to the choices of others.
We invented liberalism.
/2
Reposted by Marc Cooper
Ultimately, it's hard to see a solution that doesn't involve ending FPTP & breaking the allergy of UK politics to cross-party cooperation.
For now, leaders should remember that parties are delicate organisms. Hack back too far, & you kill the plant.
And these parties badly need new growth. ENDS
For now, leaders should remember that parties are delicate organisms. Hack back too far, & you kill the plant.
And these parties badly need new growth. ENDS
October 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Ultimately, it's hard to see a solution that doesn't involve ending FPTP & breaking the allergy of UK politics to cross-party cooperation.
For now, leaders should remember that parties are delicate organisms. Hack back too far, & you kill the plant.
And these parties badly need new growth. ENDS
For now, leaders should remember that parties are delicate organisms. Hack back too far, & you kill the plant.
And these parties badly need new growth. ENDS
Reposted by Marc Cooper
Both Labour and the Conservatives were stronger, more intellectually vigorous & commanded a larger share of the vote when they were broad churches, able to contain different strands of opinion.
Recently they've developed a taste for purges, loyalty tests & expulsions.
How's that going for them? 🧵
Recently they've developed a taste for purges, loyalty tests & expulsions.
How's that going for them? 🧵
October 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Both Labour and the Conservatives were stronger, more intellectually vigorous & commanded a larger share of the vote when they were broad churches, able to contain different strands of opinion.
Recently they've developed a taste for purges, loyalty tests & expulsions.
How's that going for them? 🧵
Recently they've developed a taste for purges, loyalty tests & expulsions.
How's that going for them? 🧵
Reposted by Marc Cooper
BREAKING: Heroic police officers save public from this terrifying terrorist who was holding a sign the government doesn’t like x
October 4, 2025 at 4:36 PM
BREAKING: Heroic police officers save public from this terrifying terrorist who was holding a sign the government doesn’t like x
Reposted by Marc Cooper
Will someone remind me why Greta Thunberg can be arrested but Benjamin Netanyahu can't?
October 3, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Will someone remind me why Greta Thunberg can be arrested but Benjamin Netanyahu can't?
Reposted by Marc Cooper
I don't know where this revisionism has come from about the suffragettes - people saying "if the suffragettes were around today, they'd be considered terrorists."
The suffragettes were arrested and tortured, sexually assaulted and beaten by the state. They *were* considered terrorists!
The suffragettes were arrested and tortured, sexually assaulted and beaten by the state. They *were* considered terrorists!
October 4, 2025 at 3:49 PM
I don't know where this revisionism has come from about the suffragettes - people saying "if the suffragettes were around today, they'd be considered terrorists."
The suffragettes were arrested and tortured, sexually assaulted and beaten by the state. They *were* considered terrorists!
The suffragettes were arrested and tortured, sexually assaulted and beaten by the state. They *were* considered terrorists!
Reposted by Marc Cooper
If capitalism were a novel (NOW A MAJOR FEATURE FILM!) we're at the point in the story where the main protagonist finds herself in a position of greatest jeopardy with all her options spent and the adversary holding all the cards.
Somehow, I don't see the amazing plot twist coming to save us.
Somehow, I don't see the amazing plot twist coming to save us.
October 3, 2025 at 8:02 AM
If capitalism were a novel (NOW A MAJOR FEATURE FILM!) we're at the point in the story where the main protagonist finds herself in a position of greatest jeopardy with all her options spent and the adversary holding all the cards.
Somehow, I don't see the amazing plot twist coming to save us.
Somehow, I don't see the amazing plot twist coming to save us.
Reposted by Marc Cooper
This is about my Dad, who was among the few people left on-site for the Windscale nuclear accident of 1957. Quite the story www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...
BBC World Service - Witness History, Britain's Worst Ever Nuclear Accident
A nuclear reactor in the north of England caught fire in 1957.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 1, 2025 at 4:05 PM
This is about my Dad, who was among the few people left on-site for the Windscale nuclear accident of 1957. Quite the story www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p...