Alison Baycock
@hanoverdarling.bsky.social
Reader, writer, swimmer, bon viveur. The Archers. All round girly swot.
Reposted by Alison Baycock
Neither Starmer nor the Labour Party even have an account on BlueSky. Still. 😱
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked WhatsApp messages show Labour MPs urging govt to leave X, arguing that it should "show direction to others in the UK"
The MPs said X owner Elon Musk is "fascist" and that the platform's AI tool, Grok, had put "children in harm's way"
The MPs said X owner Elon Musk is "fascist" and that the platform's AI tool, Grok, had put "children in harm's way"
January 10, 2026 at 9:57 PM
Neither Starmer nor the Labour Party even have an account on BlueSky. Still. 😱
Great example of why privatisation is sometimes very much not the answer when it comes to Nhs efficiency. Also a damn good read.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
‘I wish I could say I kept my cool’: my maddening experience with the NHS wheelchair service
The long read: After I was paralysed in a climbing accident, I discovered how inconsiderate, illogical and incompetent many wheelchair providers can be
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Great example of why privatisation is sometimes very much not the answer when it comes to Nhs efficiency. Also a damn good read.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by Alison Baycock
Starting to suspect FIFA might not be an entirely reputable organisation.
December 5, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Starting to suspect FIFA might not be an entirely reputable organisation.
Reposted by Alison Baycock
Think of the likes Amber would have got if she livestreamed her chat with Brad
#TheArchers
#TheArchers
December 2, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Think of the likes Amber would have got if she livestreamed her chat with Brad
#TheArchers
#TheArchers
Quite.
I follow politics, but not too closely. This budget OBR stuff is utter bollox. It’s tittle tattle mince, it’s some sort of gotcha without any substance or an actual gotcha. The BBC political analysis has dropped lower than a snakes belly button.
December 1, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Quite.
Reposted by Alison Baycock
If Rachel Reeves gets challenged about this bullseye on Farage being a Russian asset, she should simply reply that it was not meant in a hurtful way.
"We are freezing known Russian assets" says Rachel Reeves
"But let me be clear, I don't actually mean the member for Clacton"
"But let me be clear, I don't actually mean the member for Clacton"
November 26, 2025 at 3:11 PM
If Rachel Reeves gets challenged about this bullseye on Farage being a Russian asset, she should simply reply that it was not meant in a hurtful way.
Reposted by Alison Baycock
Trump said today he'll be pardoning former Honduran President Juan Hernandez, who was convicted of drug trafficking and weapons charges in 2024 and sentenced to 45 years in prison.
Waging a drug war on Venezuela while pardoning a narco-terrorist takes hypocrisy to a level once thought impossible.
Waging a drug war on Venezuela while pardoning a narco-terrorist takes hypocrisy to a level once thought impossible.
November 29, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Trump said today he'll be pardoning former Honduran President Juan Hernandez, who was convicted of drug trafficking and weapons charges in 2024 and sentenced to 45 years in prison.
Waging a drug war on Venezuela while pardoning a narco-terrorist takes hypocrisy to a level once thought impossible.
Waging a drug war on Venezuela while pardoning a narco-terrorist takes hypocrisy to a level once thought impossible.
Reposted by Alison Baycock
A fact being ignored even more than usual: 70% of the money from abolishing the two-child limit will go to families who are in work (via @ippr.org).
November 29, 2025 at 10:42 AM
A fact being ignored even more than usual: 70% of the money from abolishing the two-child limit will go to families who are in work (via @ippr.org).
Reposted by Alison Baycock
No way did Peggy want them to enjoy themselves #TheArchers
November 17, 2025 at 7:17 PM
No way did Peggy want them to enjoy themselves #TheArchers
Reposted by Alison Baycock
I think the producer has destroyed the squeaker in Amber, like what you do with a dogs' toy.
#TheArchers
#TheArchers
November 11, 2025 at 7:23 PM
I think the producer has destroyed the squeaker in Amber, like what you do with a dogs' toy.
#TheArchers
#TheArchers
Ambridge and the scripties seem to be suffering from collective amnesia. Why doesn't George just go back to running the video business that poor Brad busted a gut to keep going for him? #thearchers
November 10, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Ambridge and the scripties seem to be suffering from collective amnesia. Why doesn't George just go back to running the video business that poor Brad busted a gut to keep going for him? #thearchers
Reposted by Alison Baycock
"They are so convinced their politics isn’t really politics, but just some default setting shared with much of the country..."
True of so many commentators on the Right.
True of so many commentators on the Right.
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:21 PM
"They are so convinced their politics isn’t really politics, but just some default setting shared with much of the country..."
True of so many commentators on the Right.
True of so many commentators on the Right.
Reposted by Alison Baycock
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 Alison Baycock
The BBC is tearing itself apart to appease publications and politicians who want to see it die.
An absolutely kamikaze approach to running a media organisation. I can't see it ending well.
An absolutely kamikaze approach to running a media organisation. I can't see it ending well.
November 9, 2025 at 9:55 PM
The BBC is tearing itself apart to appease publications and politicians who want to see it die.
An absolutely kamikaze approach to running a media organisation. I can't see it ending well.
An absolutely kamikaze approach to running a media organisation. I can't see it ending well.
Reposted by Alison Baycock
What fresh hell is this? Esme Mulligan, fresh out of the BBC costume-drama 17thC accent cupboard is to be inflicted upon us more? Please god let Stella/Josh/Rex/Justin buy these recently-imagined hills with their stone/brick cottage and murderous milking parlour and make this be over. #TheArchers
November 7, 2025 at 9:26 PM
What fresh hell is this? Esme Mulligan, fresh out of the BBC costume-drama 17thC accent cupboard is to be inflicted upon us more? Please god let Stella/Josh/Rex/Justin buy these recently-imagined hills with their stone/brick cottage and murderous milking parlour and make this be over. #TheArchers
Reposted by Alison Baycock
The Esme thing is bonkers, it‘s just bonkers, honestly listening to #TheArchers at the moment is like trying to finish a crossword in Portuguese with a jumbo crayon while drinking a Benylin and brandy cocktail through a straw and hitting oneself repeatedly on the head with a giant potato
October 31, 2025 at 8:36 PM
The Esme thing is bonkers, it‘s just bonkers, honestly listening to #TheArchers at the moment is like trying to finish a crossword in Portuguese with a jumbo crayon while drinking a Benylin and brandy cocktail through a straw and hitting oneself repeatedly on the head with a giant potato
Reposted by Alison Baycock
Louvre robbery. French police release image of suspect.
October 19, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Louvre robbery. French police release image of suspect.
Reposted by Alison Baycock
Caturday meets No Kings day.
October 18, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Caturday meets No Kings day.
Reposted by Alison Baycock
'It's on the house' a phrase used a lot in Ambridge but not in real life. Or is it? Happened twice in 24 hours to us in Totnes. #thearchers #totnesisambridge
October 7, 2025 at 7:27 AM
'It's on the house' a phrase used a lot in Ambridge but not in real life. Or is it? Happened twice in 24 hours to us in Totnes. #thearchers #totnesisambridge
Reposted by Alison Baycock
October 5, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Tell the government it's time for fair regulation of the press. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/a-...
A Free Press, Not a Free Pass – It's Time for Fair Regulation
For too long, the UK press have bullied people, harassed grieving families, and destroyed lives, all to sell papers. We’ve all seen the heartbreaking consequences.
They’ve hacked phones, listened to ...
you.38degrees.org.uk
September 25, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Tell the government it's time for fair regulation of the press. you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/a-...
Reposted by Alison Baycock
Local media report that a group of 20 to 30 individuals put up dozens of flags across Norwich, including outside the Islamic community centre on Dereham Road, in what many residents described as an act of intimidation.
www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/2545503...
www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/2545503...
Dozens of flags put up across city neighbourhood overnight as locals call police
Norfolk Police were called to Dereham Road, Norwich, last night as dozens of flags were put up around the neighbourhood, including outside a mosque.
www.eveningnews24.co.uk
September 10, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Local media report that a group of 20 to 30 individuals put up dozens of flags across Norwich, including outside the Islamic community centre on Dereham Road, in what many residents described as an act of intimidation.
www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/2545503...
www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/2545503...
Reposted by Alison Baycock
Elon Musk openly called for violence on our streets yesterday.
I hope politicians from all parties come together to condemn his deeply dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric.
Britain must stand united against this clear attempt to undermine our democracy.
I hope politicians from all parties come together to condemn his deeply dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric.
Britain must stand united against this clear attempt to undermine our democracy.
September 14, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Elon Musk openly called for violence on our streets yesterday.
I hope politicians from all parties come together to condemn his deeply dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric.
Britain must stand united against this clear attempt to undermine our democracy.
I hope politicians from all parties come together to condemn his deeply dangerous and irresponsible rhetoric.
Britain must stand united against this clear attempt to undermine our democracy.