James
@dune400.bsky.social
Reposted by James
The far-right is coming for everything - the BBC is just tip of the iceberg. Give it power and it will take control of the courts, the Electoral Commission, the universities, the school curriculum and all other organs of civic power. The aim is very simple: never losing power again.
November 10, 2025 at 10:25 AM
The far-right is coming for everything - the BBC is just tip of the iceberg. Give it power and it will take control of the courts, the Electoral Commission, the universities, the school curriculum and all other organs of civic power. The aim is very simple: never losing power again.
Reposted by James
Absolutely right. I criticise BBC News, because we need it to be as good as we know it can be. People like Farage criticise the BBC, because they work for its competitors and don't want it to exist.
🎯 Davey is spot on. "We can have criticism of the BBC, but within that, we need to recognise how valuable an institution it is [and how] precious to our country. And that's one of the reasons why people like President Trump and Nigel Farage, want to undermine the BBC." 👏🏽~AA
November 10, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Absolutely right. I criticise BBC News, because we need it to be as good as we know it can be. People like Farage criticise the BBC, because they work for its competitors and don't want it to exist.
Reposted by James
I'll believe it when I see it but if I do see it I will be absolutely delighted. If Labour goes down - and that is by no means certain - it should go down doing the right thing.
NEW: Rachel Reeves signals she intends to remove the two-child cap *in full*
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
November 10, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I'll believe it when I see it but if I do see it I will be absolutely delighted. If Labour goes down - and that is by no means certain - it should go down doing the right thing.
Reposted by James
Polanski has made Your Party pointless.
Three people who’d be expected to be Your Party bigwigs have largely walked away from Corbyn’s project: former NE mayor Jamie Driscoll, former Labour MP Beth Winter, and former ANC MP Andrew Feinstein.
I have some new intel on the fall-out, if you’re interested in that sort of thing… 🧵
I have some new intel on the fall-out, if you’re interested in that sort of thing… 🧵
November 10, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Polanski has made Your Party pointless.
Reposted by James
May's first Tory conference speech after Brexit was the moment I realised that the government had collectively lost its mind.
November 10, 2025 at 7:28 PM
May's first Tory conference speech after Brexit was the moment I realised that the government had collectively lost its mind.
Reposted by James
The baffling phenomenon of previous Remainers getting behind Brexit (it’ll be fine in the end) because of something something something English vs continental law!!!!!!
a painting of sesame street characters standing in a garden
Alt: Fozzie bear and friends debating the superiority of English law.
media.tenor.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The baffling phenomenon of previous Remainers getting behind Brexit (it’ll be fine in the end) because of something something something English vs continental law!!!!!!
Reposted by James
This is rather on the nose and gets to my view that if you wanted a group of people who were very often completely wrong about everything while at the same time being absolutely convinced of their perfect rightness look no further than British politicians / pundits 2020-2015.*
* Exceptions apply
* Exceptions apply
The Anglo consensus of the first half of 2010s was that where continental Europeans were endemically subject to crises and demagoguery, "we" were distinctly were more enlightened. Cameron's Britain. Obama's America. Ponderous essays about Magna Carta and the "golden thread".
How wrong it all was.
How wrong it all was.
I fear we are seeing in the UK what has become abundantly clear in the US: for all their power and privilege, elites and institutions are absolute cowards in the face of right-wing authoritarianism. Weak, weak, weak, as Tony Blair once said
November 10, 2025 at 7:18 PM
This is rather on the nose and gets to my view that if you wanted a group of people who were very often completely wrong about everything while at the same time being absolutely convinced of their perfect rightness look no further than British politicians / pundits 2020-2015.*
* Exceptions apply
* Exceptions apply
Reposted by James
Some of the most powerful and well-paid people in the world don't understand a lesson that every schoolchild knows: if you surrender to bullies, they will only bully you more
November 10, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Some of the most powerful and well-paid people in the world don't understand a lesson that every schoolchild knows: if you surrender to bullies, they will only bully you more
Reposted by James
I fear we are seeing in the UK what has become abundantly clear in the US: for all their power and privilege, elites and institutions are absolute cowards in the face of right-wing authoritarianism. Weak, weak, weak, as Tony Blair once said
November 10, 2025 at 4:26 PM
I fear we are seeing in the UK what has become abundantly clear in the US: for all their power and privilege, elites and institutions are absolute cowards in the face of right-wing authoritarianism. Weak, weak, weak, as Tony Blair once said
Reposted by James
The collapse in BBC impartiality also started in run up to the 2014 referendum and the Tories ran with it putting their right wing place men in to senior management and board positions.
Labour haven't reversed the right wing take over. It's on them as well. 🥀
Labour haven't reversed the right wing take over. It's on them as well. 🥀
November 10, 2025 at 11:10 PM
The collapse in BBC impartiality also started in run up to the 2014 referendum and the Tories ran with it putting their right wing place men in to senior management and board positions.
Labour haven't reversed the right wing take over. It's on them as well. 🥀
Labour haven't reversed the right wing take over. It's on them as well. 🥀
Reposted by James
It's trendier to study the 1990s. But one can trace so much about today's world back to the early-2010s.
- Dawn of multipolar age
- Xi and Modi rise to leadership
- Reordering of Middle East from within
- Russia annexes Crimea
- Euro-crisis roils Europe
- Smartphones & social media become dominant
- Dawn of multipolar age
- Xi and Modi rise to leadership
- Reordering of Middle East from within
- Russia annexes Crimea
- Euro-crisis roils Europe
- Smartphones & social media become dominant
November 10, 2025 at 6:03 PM
It's trendier to study the 1990s. But one can trace so much about today's world back to the early-2010s.
- Dawn of multipolar age
- Xi and Modi rise to leadership
- Reordering of Middle East from within
- Russia annexes Crimea
- Euro-crisis roils Europe
- Smartphones & social media become dominant
- Dawn of multipolar age
- Xi and Modi rise to leadership
- Reordering of Middle East from within
- Russia annexes Crimea
- Euro-crisis roils Europe
- Smartphones & social media become dominant
Reposted by James
The Anglo consensus of the first half of 2010s was that where continental Europeans were endemically subject to crises and demagoguery, "we" were distinctly were more enlightened. Cameron's Britain. Obama's America. Ponderous essays about Magna Carta and the "golden thread".
How wrong it all was.
How wrong it all was.
I fear we are seeing in the UK what has become abundantly clear in the US: for all their power and privilege, elites and institutions are absolute cowards in the face of right-wing authoritarianism. Weak, weak, weak, as Tony Blair once said
November 10, 2025 at 5:28 PM
The Anglo consensus of the first half of 2010s was that where continental Europeans were endemically subject to crises and demagoguery, "we" were distinctly were more enlightened. Cameron's Britain. Obama's America. Ponderous essays about Magna Carta and the "golden thread".
How wrong it all was.
How wrong it all was.
Reposted by James
Well, this is quite a serious allegation. I do hope the BBC shows true impartiality and investigate whether or not some of its Board members are systemically biased. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC board member with Tory links ‘led charge’ in systemic bias claims, say insiders
Sources say Robbie Gibb amplified criticisms of Trump, Gaza and trans rights coverage, and had ‘a lot of oxygen in the room’
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Well, this is quite a serious allegation. I do hope the BBC shows true impartiality and investigate whether or not some of its Board members are systemically biased. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Reposted by James
1945 the British made sure that Germanys public broadcasting system would never be taken over by an authoritarian leader again by creating a complicated federal system.
They didn’t see to that at home which has left the BBC vulnerable.
This needs to change now.
They didn’t see to that at home which has left the BBC vulnerable.
This needs to change now.
Well, this is quite a serious allegation. I do hope the BBC shows true impartiality and investigate whether or not some of its Board members are systemically biased. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC board member with Tory links ‘led charge’ in systemic bias claims, say insiders
Sources say Robbie Gibb amplified criticisms of Trump, Gaza and trans rights coverage, and had ‘a lot of oxygen in the room’
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:40 AM
1945 the British made sure that Germanys public broadcasting system would never be taken over by an authoritarian leader again by creating a complicated federal system.
They didn’t see to that at home which has left the BBC vulnerable.
This needs to change now.
They didn’t see to that at home which has left the BBC vulnerable.
This needs to change now.
Reposted by James
Both this and... this doesn't raise much money! Its a couple of billion here and there: it will not fill the gap in the budget, give you headroom or allow money to invest.
All you're doing is pissing off a lot of core voters for little gain!
All you're doing is pissing off a lot of core voters for little gain!
If you think that “the slow vanishing of employee benefits” is a better trade politically than “the other lot saying you broke your promise on income tax”, you are out of your tree: www.ft.com/content/1160...
November 11, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Both this and... this doesn't raise much money! Its a couple of billion here and there: it will not fill the gap in the budget, give you headroom or allow money to invest.
All you're doing is pissing off a lot of core voters for little gain!
All you're doing is pissing off a lot of core voters for little gain!
Reposted by James
The first step to understanding impartiality is always recognising that you - like everyone - are not impartial. Acknowledging bias and subjectivity is the key.
November 10, 2025 at 8:58 PM
The first step to understanding impartiality is always recognising that you - like everyone - are not impartial. Acknowledging bias and subjectivity is the key.
Reposted by James
Very interesting piece, including the extract below which has the ring of truth
November 10, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Very interesting piece, including the extract below which has the ring of truth
Reposted by James
Like the hardest kid at school, this is their only actual power. They’re not the strongest. They not the smartest. They don’t have the most supporters. They’re just willing to punch in the face, gouge eyes, break limbs, stamp on heads without hesitation and the fear that creates is the power.
November 9, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Like the hardest kid at school, this is their only actual power. They’re not the strongest. They not the smartest. They don’t have the most supporters. They’re just willing to punch in the face, gouge eyes, break limbs, stamp on heads without hesitation and the fear that creates is the power.
Reposted by James
The BBC should serve as an example to all that there is nothing you can give the far rabid right that will satisfy it.
It has simpered, pandered, soft-balled and fluff-jobbed, both-sidesed and debased itself into being a platform for liars to look down the camera and lie on, & it still gets fucked.
It has simpered, pandered, soft-balled and fluff-jobbed, both-sidesed and debased itself into being a platform for liars to look down the camera and lie on, & it still gets fucked.
November 9, 2025 at 7:12 PM
The BBC should serve as an example to all that there is nothing you can give the far rabid right that will satisfy it.
It has simpered, pandered, soft-balled and fluff-jobbed, both-sidesed and debased itself into being a platform for liars to look down the camera and lie on, & it still gets fucked.
It has simpered, pandered, soft-balled and fluff-jobbed, both-sidesed and debased itself into being a platform for liars to look down the camera and lie on, & it still gets fucked.
Reposted by James
We are so far through the looking glass that the man who tried to overthrow an election becomes president, the people who attacked the Capitol are turned into martyrs, & it's the BBC that gets punished - cheered on by the worst news outlets in the UK & the two most dishonest politicians of our age.
It’s not at all clear to me how the BBC can do any kind of serious journalism if its top two bosses can be forced to quit over such an obviously confected scandal. There is no substantive error here. How can the BBC report on Trump, or Farage, or anyone else, in these circumstances?
November 9, 2025 at 9:08 PM
We are so far through the looking glass that the man who tried to overthrow an election becomes president, the people who attacked the Capitol are turned into martyrs, & it's the BBC that gets punished - cheered on by the worst news outlets in the UK & the two most dishonest politicians of our age.
Reposted by James
"This country’s taste for self-harm seemed to reach its zenith with the Brexit referendum, but maybe not." A good wrap up by @pollytoynbee.bsky.social 👇
If you care about the BBC, stand up and defend it: this could be the beginning of the end | Polly Toynbee
Replacing the TV licence with a means-tested alternative may help disarm the right of one of its most effective weapons, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:39 PM
"This country’s taste for self-harm seemed to reach its zenith with the Brexit referendum, but maybe not." A good wrap up by @pollytoynbee.bsky.social 👇
Reposted by James
Honestly TELL THE STORY. Won’t someone just tell the fucking story of how Brexit created this economic hardship, how a Muslim immigrant just saved the lives of those commuters on that train, won’t someone in politics or even media just connect the fucking dots and TELL THE STORY. IT’S RIGHT THERE
November 5, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Honestly TELL THE STORY. Won’t someone just tell the fucking story of how Brexit created this economic hardship, how a Muslim immigrant just saved the lives of those commuters on that train, won’t someone in politics or even media just connect the fucking dots and TELL THE STORY. IT’S RIGHT THERE
Reposted by James
But that is not enough. No.10 should never have been in a position to install Gibb in the first place. It shouldn't control the board membership, the DG appointment, or the purse strings. What's required is genuine independence for the BBC.
November 10, 2025 at 12:50 PM
But that is not enough. No.10 should never have been in a position to install Gibb in the first place. It shouldn't control the board membership, the DG appointment, or the purse strings. What's required is genuine independence for the BBC.
Reposted by James
Should Gibb be sacked? yes, obviously. He's an abomination of basic journalistic standards. His GB News channel spreads conspiracy theory & disinformation. His Jewish Chronicle newspaper spreads invented stories. He is plainly trying to undermine the BBC so it's as bad as everything else he touches.
November 10, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Should Gibb be sacked? yes, obviously. He's an abomination of basic journalistic standards. His GB News channel spreads conspiracy theory & disinformation. His Jewish Chronicle newspaper spreads invented stories. He is plainly trying to undermine the BBC so it's as bad as everything else he touches.
Reposted by James
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
November 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?