Mark Hebditch
@markh44.bsky.social
Quondam English and Philosophy teacher. Forever Yorkshireman and European. Contentedly and unrepentantly woke. Enjoy particularly theatre, art, performance and reading.
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
The absolute state of the BBC news just now - which seems determined to drag the government down over the budget.
Where was all this attention to minute detail and concern for absolute accuracy when the Tories were lying their way through their chaotic reign for 14 years? It's frankly absurd.
Where was all this attention to minute detail and concern for absolute accuracy when the Tories were lying their way through their chaotic reign for 14 years? It's frankly absurd.
For all the focus on its supposed “left wing bias”, the BBC’s heavy coverage of Rachel Reeves Budget "lies" shows how its political coverage is still largely led by the right-wing press
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/01/r...
Rachel Reeves and the Daily Mailification of the BBC
For all the focus on its supposed "left wing bias", the BBC's heavy coverage of Conservative allegations of dishonesty against Rachel Reeves shows how its political coverage is still largely led by th...
bylinetimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:39 PM
The absolute state of the BBC news just now - which seems determined to drag the government down over the budget.
Where was all this attention to minute detail and concern for absolute accuracy when the Tories were lying their way through their chaotic reign for 14 years? It's frankly absurd.
Where was all this attention to minute detail and concern for absolute accuracy when the Tories were lying their way through their chaotic reign for 14 years? It's frankly absurd.
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
"The BBC isn’t perfect – but it’s ours. If we don’t defend it now, we may lose a cornerstone of British democracy"
Defend the BBC before it’s gone – an open letter
The BBC isn’t perfect – but it’s ours. If we don’t defend it now, we may lose a cornerstone of British democracy
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 9:25 PM
"The BBC isn’t perfect – but it’s ours. If we don’t defend it now, we may lose a cornerstone of British democracy"
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
If we're talking about bias, why do BBC politics programmes, from Politics Live to the Laura Kuennsberg Show, still always begin with a look at the newspaper front pages, which are overwhelmingly biased in one direction. Helps frame the entire news agenda and debate in their favour
November 11, 2025 at 1:09 PM
If we're talking about bias, why do BBC politics programmes, from Politics Live to the Laura Kuennsberg Show, still always begin with a look at the newspaper front pages, which are overwhelmingly biased in one direction. Helps frame the entire news agenda and debate in their favour
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
November 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
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 7:22 PM
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...
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
A woman is killed by a man every 3 days in the UK...
78% are murdered by a partner/ex
Yet not once have I heard Reform talk about this
Not once have I heard them back measures to protect women’s safety
In fact, they voted against them...
78% are murdered by a partner/ex
Yet not once have I heard Reform talk about this
Not once have I heard them back measures to protect women’s safety
In fact, they voted against them...
October 31, 2025 at 10:22 AM
A woman is killed by a man every 3 days in the UK...
78% are murdered by a partner/ex
Yet not once have I heard Reform talk about this
Not once have I heard them back measures to protect women’s safety
In fact, they voted against them...
78% are murdered by a partner/ex
Yet not once have I heard Reform talk about this
Not once have I heard them back measures to protect women’s safety
In fact, they voted against them...
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
"I have trouble with the term 'liberal Zionism'"
Anti-Zionist Jewish Hollywood star Hannah Einbinder on the "settler colonialist ideology" and "apartheid" of Zionism, in the new Zeteo podcast 'Beyond Israelism with Simone Zimmerman'.
Full show: zeteo.com/p/beyond-isr...
Anti-Zionist Jewish Hollywood star Hannah Einbinder on the "settler colonialist ideology" and "apartheid" of Zionism, in the new Zeteo podcast 'Beyond Israelism with Simone Zimmerman'.
Full show: zeteo.com/p/beyond-isr...
October 10, 2025 at 3:27 AM
"I have trouble with the term 'liberal Zionism'"
Anti-Zionist Jewish Hollywood star Hannah Einbinder on the "settler colonialist ideology" and "apartheid" of Zionism, in the new Zeteo podcast 'Beyond Israelism with Simone Zimmerman'.
Full show: zeteo.com/p/beyond-isr...
Anti-Zionist Jewish Hollywood star Hannah Einbinder on the "settler colonialist ideology" and "apartheid" of Zionism, in the new Zeteo podcast 'Beyond Israelism with Simone Zimmerman'.
Full show: zeteo.com/p/beyond-isr...
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
Calling English a 'rip-off degree' is one of the most blatant exhibitions of personal barbarism I've ever seen. You've demonstrated nothing but the poverty of your own mind.
October 8, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Calling English a 'rip-off degree' is one of the most blatant exhibitions of personal barbarism I've ever seen. You've demonstrated nothing but the poverty of your own mind.
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
"15 years ago, Polish workers came here to find opportunity. Now Poland is growing twice as fast as we are," says Kemi Badenoch.
Any ideas what may have happened in the interim?
Any ideas what may have happened in the interim?
October 8, 2025 at 10:33 AM
"15 years ago, Polish workers came here to find opportunity. Now Poland is growing twice as fast as we are," says Kemi Badenoch.
Any ideas what may have happened in the interim?
Any ideas what may have happened in the interim?
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
Here’s the real picture 👇
Only about 3–5% of all immigrants in the UK are classed as low income
That means 95–97% are working, paying taxes, and supporting public services — not draining them
Only about 3–5% of all immigrants in the UK are classed as low income
That means 95–97% are working, paying taxes, and supporting public services — not draining them
October 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Here’s the real picture 👇
Only about 3–5% of all immigrants in the UK are classed as low income
That means 95–97% are working, paying taxes, and supporting public services — not draining them
Only about 3–5% of all immigrants in the UK are classed as low income
That means 95–97% are working, paying taxes, and supporting public services — not draining them
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
A new favorite by my husband @tealcartoons.bsky.social 👇
I finished and signed The Beatles. I just have to varnish them, then package them up for shipping to @quirkyfox.bsky.social gallery in N.Z.
Details on this quadriptych, and the exhibition in which it will appear, to follow in due course.
Re-posts appreciated!
#caricature #art
Details on this quadriptych, and the exhibition in which it will appear, to follow in due course.
Re-posts appreciated!
#caricature #art
October 6, 2025 at 9:57 PM
A new favorite by my husband @tealcartoons.bsky.social 👇
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
What an admirably clear statement from the Jewish Leadership Council, especially when all of those involved must surely have been dealing with so many other urgent challenges in safety, security and grief + shock today before having this further divisive and distracting intervention to address too.
October 4, 2025 at 8:33 PM
What an admirably clear statement from the Jewish Leadership Council, especially when all of those involved must surely have been dealing with so many other urgent challenges in safety, security and grief + shock today before having this further divisive and distracting intervention to address too.
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
Big news today! After more than a decade of campaigning, the UK Government has finally publicly committed to the legal recognition of humanist marriages in England and Wales.
October 2, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Big news today! After more than a decade of campaigning, the UK Government has finally publicly committed to the legal recognition of humanist marriages in England and Wales.
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
Remember: The recipe for economic growth isn’t tax cuts for the rich. It’s investment in our people — in health care, infrastructure and education — to build a strong middle class.
You don't grow the economy through trickle-down nonsense.
You don't grow the economy through trickle-down nonsense.
August 8, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Remember: The recipe for economic growth isn’t tax cuts for the rich. It’s investment in our people — in health care, infrastructure and education — to build a strong middle class.
You don't grow the economy through trickle-down nonsense.
You don't grow the economy through trickle-down nonsense.
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
My friend, Nabil, does not want to die. He doesn’t want his wife and six children to die, he doesn’t want his friends and neighbors to die. He doesn’t want the Israeli hostages to die. He doesn’t want Jews to die. He just wants food to eat, a shelter to live in, and to live his life, peacefully. 😡😡😡
Here's the sitting president of the United States endorsing ethnic cleansing in Gaza.
July 26, 2025 at 12:40 PM
My friend, Nabil, does not want to die. He doesn’t want his wife and six children to die, he doesn’t want his friends and neighbors to die. He doesn’t want the Israeli hostages to die. He doesn’t want Jews to die. He just wants food to eat, a shelter to live in, and to live his life, peacefully. 😡😡😡
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
“this £85 billion represents a direct transfer of value from the public to private owners — a sum extracted while storm overflows proliferated, leakage targets were missed, and river health declined”
July 21, 2025 at 7:29 AM
“this £85 billion represents a direct transfer of value from the public to private owners — a sum extracted while storm overflows proliferated, leakage targets were missed, and river health declined”
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
Today has rather proved populists have “no idea” how to fix things, falling apart the first time they’re asked a basic question. Proper politics is about long term answers to difficult challenges - like how to make sure today’s workers can look forward to a comfortable retirement
The last Labour govt laid the ground to get British workers pension saving again. But if we continue as we are tomorrow’s retirees will be poorer than today’s. So it’s time to finish the job - we’ll build a pensions system that’s strong, sustainable & fair www.ft.com/content/5208...
July 20, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Today has rather proved populists have “no idea” how to fix things, falling apart the first time they’re asked a basic question. Proper politics is about long term answers to difficult challenges - like how to make sure today’s workers can look forward to a comfortable retirement
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
Farage plays the everyman, but he’s not harmless, he’s not honest, and he’s not on your side. ❌
July 20, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Farage plays the everyman, but he’s not harmless, he’s not honest, and he’s not on your side. ❌
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
Why on earth is the headline not Lib Dem elected leader of council
May 20, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Why on earth is the headline not Lib Dem elected leader of council
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
The 'global Britain' slogan at the heart of Brexit was just empty nostalgia. By contrast, not only has Starmer revived the country as a serious actor on the global stage; he has rekindled a belief that international alliances and agreements fundamentally work in the UK's best interests.
May 20, 2025 at 6:36 AM
The 'global Britain' slogan at the heart of Brexit was just empty nostalgia. By contrast, not only has Starmer revived the country as a serious actor on the global stage; he has rekindled a belief that international alliances and agreements fundamentally work in the UK's best interests.
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
The hysterical reaction of certain commentators to today’s UK-EU agreement is something to behold.
The “surrender” of using e-gates when you go on holiday. The contempt for the “will of the people” of making education abroad more accessible. Rigorous debate is good. This nonsense is a waste of time.
The “surrender” of using e-gates when you go on holiday. The contempt for the “will of the people” of making education abroad more accessible. Rigorous debate is good. This nonsense is a waste of time.
May 19, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The hysterical reaction of certain commentators to today’s UK-EU agreement is something to behold.
The “surrender” of using e-gates when you go on holiday. The contempt for the “will of the people” of making education abroad more accessible. Rigorous debate is good. This nonsense is a waste of time.
The “surrender” of using e-gates when you go on holiday. The contempt for the “will of the people” of making education abroad more accessible. Rigorous debate is good. This nonsense is a waste of time.
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
The “surrender” thing and the endless war metaphors were always in poor taste. But when they were first made, war had not returned to Europe and NATO was not hanging by a thread. So forgive me if I no longer have any patience whatsoever with people who pretend that UK and EU are enemies. Pathetic.
May 19, 2025 at 4:39 PM
The “surrender” thing and the endless war metaphors were always in poor taste. But when they were first made, war had not returned to Europe and NATO was not hanging by a thread. So forgive me if I no longer have any patience whatsoever with people who pretend that UK and EU are enemies. Pathetic.
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
Pledging to "scrap a deal" before reading it or having any idea what it contains tells you everything you need to know about Nigel Farage. ~AA
May 16, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Pledging to "scrap a deal" before reading it or having any idea what it contains tells you everything you need to know about Nigel Farage. ~AA
Reposted by Mark Hebditch
was recently told by a scholar of some note that it was out of bounds to compare trump's purge of black people from the federal government to wilson's efforts to resegregate the federal bureaucracy
1/2 Just-dismissed Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, has a PhD from U Chicago, is in numerous scholarly societies, has wide acclaim. She is also first African-American to lead LoC.
The dismissal note did not say "Dear Dr. Hayden" or "Dear Madame Librarian" or even "Dear Carla."
The dismissal note did not say "Dear Dr. Hayden" or "Dear Madame Librarian" or even "Dear Carla."
May 11, 2025 at 4:54 PM
was recently told by a scholar of some note that it was out of bounds to compare trump's purge of black people from the federal government to wilson's efforts to resegregate the federal bureaucracy