Patrick Andrews
@patrickandrews.bsky.social
Online teacher of English. Lover of literature and languages. Coventry City fan #PUSB. Tends to the left politically but not dogmatic.
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
Gove has been an extremely poisonous influence on our politics. Undermining expert consensus on Brexit [had enough of experts, etc] and lying his way through the whole process in the aftermath of the Referendum. A travesty that he is on this panel of judges assessing political writing.
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say "Orwell would have enjoyed the irony" of the former Conservative minister's appointment
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Gove has been an extremely poisonous influence on our politics. Undermining expert consensus on Brexit [had enough of experts, etc] and lying his way through the whole process in the aftermath of the Referendum. A travesty that he is on this panel of judges assessing political writing.
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
Twitter is full to the brim of genuine Nazis and nothing is done about them, it’s fucking atrocious
November 25, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Twitter is full to the brim of genuine Nazis and nothing is done about them, it’s fucking atrocious
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
“Being called a Paki isn’t hurtful?” asks Cyrus Oshidar, who was in Farage's year. He tells Guardian he recognises that it was “the language of that time” (1980). “He wasn’t the only one saying it. But he was the only one in Dulwich saying it regularly”, he says
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Three more ex-pupils at school with Nigel Farage reject ‘banter’ claims
Exclusive: Dulwich college contemporaries ‘rubbish’ Reform UK leader’s suggestion alleged racist taunts not intended to hurt
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:54 PM
“Being called a Paki isn’t hurtful?” asks Cyrus Oshidar, who was in Farage's year. He tells Guardian he recognises that it was “the language of that time” (1980). “He wasn’t the only one saying it. But he was the only one in Dulwich saying it regularly”, he says
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
Censored for speaking the truth. When the likes of Trump can censor a UK media channel for a speech that says what Trump is we are in a very dark place,
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Censored for speaking the truth. When the likes of Trump can censor a UK media channel for a speech that says what Trump is we are in a very dark place,
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
This is exactly what the recent Trump-BBC 'scandal' was designed to achieve. The BBC is now self-censoring criticisms of Trump in the name of "impartiality"
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 10:26 AM
This is exactly what the recent Trump-BBC 'scandal' was designed to achieve. The BBC is now self-censoring criticisms of Trump in the name of "impartiality"
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
The UK is losing up to £250m a day in lost tax revenue due to the economic impact of Brexit, House of Commons Library analysis for the Lib Dems suggests.
Brexit has blown a "black hole of [up to] £90 billion a year in the public finances" the party says. Even under lower estimates the hit is ~£65bn
Brexit has blown a "black hole of [up to] £90 billion a year in the public finances" the party says. Even under lower estimates the hit is ~£65bn
November 25, 2025 at 10:33 AM
The UK is losing up to £250m a day in lost tax revenue due to the economic impact of Brexit, House of Commons Library analysis for the Lib Dems suggests.
Brexit has blown a "black hole of [up to] £90 billion a year in the public finances" the party says. Even under lower estimates the hit is ~£65bn
Brexit has blown a "black hole of [up to] £90 billion a year in the public finances" the party says. Even under lower estimates the hit is ~£65bn
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
This is great, Smith seems to think they can continue to "support research" in the middle of a compulsory rapid liquidation of a university. That is absolutely amazing levels of wishful thinking.
November 25, 2025 at 10:23 AM
This is great, Smith seems to think they can continue to "support research" in the middle of a compulsory rapid liquidation of a university. That is absolutely amazing levels of wishful thinking.
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
here's your headline:
They (OfS) still expect 45% of ALL universities to report a deficit this academic year. They are not accounting for "significant variation" across the system (i.e. different types and sizes of institution).
They (OfS) still expect 45% of ALL universities to report a deficit this academic year. They are not accounting for "significant variation" across the system (i.e. different types and sizes of institution).
November 25, 2025 at 10:16 AM
here's your headline:
They (OfS) still expect 45% of ALL universities to report a deficit this academic year. They are not accounting for "significant variation" across the system (i.e. different types and sizes of institution).
They (OfS) still expect 45% of ALL universities to report a deficit this academic year. They are not accounting for "significant variation" across the system (i.e. different types and sizes of institution).
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
ICYMI: Reform’s UK only member of the Welsh parliament has been suspended for using a racial slur in a WhatsApp group.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reform-laura-jones-suspended-racial-slur-senedd-b2869040.html
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reform-laura-jones-suspended-racial-slur-senedd-b2869040.html
Reform UK’s only representative in Welsh parliament suspended over racial slur
Laura Anne Jones made the offensive remark about Chinese people in a WhatsApp group in 2023
www.independent.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 11:40 AM
ICYMI: Reform’s UK only member of the Welsh parliament has been suspended for using a racial slur in a WhatsApp group.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reform-laura-jones-suspended-racial-slur-senedd-b2869040.html
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reform-laura-jones-suspended-racial-slur-senedd-b2869040.html
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
Here's the transcript. When I say ‘we had a convicted reality star’, you can add ‘who now rules as the most openly corrupt president in American history’ in your head.
downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith...
downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith...
November 25, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Here's the transcript. When I say ‘we had a convicted reality star’, you can add ‘who now rules as the most openly corrupt president in American history’ in your head.
downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith...
downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio4/reith...
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
Britain: funding care for the elderly by taxing houses based on what they were worth in 1991, for reasons no one can now remember.
November 25, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Britain: funding care for the elderly by taxing houses based on what they were worth in 1991, for reasons no one can now remember.
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
Twenty years since I had to sit and listen to David Miliband pretending that postponing council tax revaluation was a brave political decision, rather than a cowardly mistake.
These reports the Government could revalue council tax bands F, G and H don't make sense to me. Here's what could actually be going on:
November 25, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Twenty years since I had to sit and listen to David Miliband pretending that postponing council tax revaluation was a brave political decision, rather than a cowardly mistake.
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
Someone really needs to explain the Striesand Effect to the BBC. And also tell them to stop being so pathetic.
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Someone really needs to explain the Striesand Effect to the BBC. And also tell them to stop being so pathetic.
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
Has no one in the BBC heard of the Streisand effect?
Did everyone think, "oh, Rutger Bregman, he'll be cool with this"?
Did everyone think, "oh, Rutger Bregman, he'll be cool with this"?
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Has no one in the BBC heard of the Streisand effect?
Did everyone think, "oh, Rutger Bregman, he'll be cool with this"?
Did everyone think, "oh, Rutger Bregman, he'll be cool with this"?
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
Inheritance tax is good! Tax income and people might earn less. Tax consumption and people might spend less. Tax death, and they're not going to *die* less and also, y'know what, if they did, that would *also* be good. It's one of the best taxes!
November 24, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Inheritance tax is good! Tax income and people might earn less. Tax consumption and people might spend less. Tax death, and they're not going to *die* less and also, y'know what, if they did, that would *also* be good. It's one of the best taxes!
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
It’s especially ironic because the lecture is exactly about the ‘paralyzing cowardice’ of today’s elites.
About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4
About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
It’s especially ironic because the lecture is exactly about the ‘paralyzing cowardice’ of today’s elites.
About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4
About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
I share this with respect for the many excellent journalists at the BBC.
And with the hope that transparency helps strengthen, not weaken, our democratic culture. /5
And with the hope that transparency helps strengthen, not weaken, our democratic culture. /5
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I share this with respect for the many excellent journalists at the BBC.
And with the hope that transparency helps strengthen, not weaken, our democratic culture. /5
And with the hope that transparency helps strengthen, not weaken, our democratic culture. /5
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
This has happened against my wishes, and I’m genuinely dismayed by it.
Not because people can’t disagree with my words, but because self-censorship driven by fear (Trump threatening to sue the BBC) should concern all of us. /3
Not because people can’t disagree with my words, but because self-censorship driven by fear (Trump threatening to sue the BBC) should concern all of us. /3
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
This has happened against my wishes, and I’m genuinely dismayed by it.
Not because people can’t disagree with my words, but because self-censorship driven by fear (Trump threatening to sue the BBC) should concern all of us. /3
Not because people can’t disagree with my words, but because self-censorship driven by fear (Trump threatening to sue the BBC) should concern all of us. /3
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
This sentence was taken out of a lecture they commissioned, reviewed through the full editorial process, and recorded four weeks ago in front of 500 people in the BBC Radio Theatre.
I was told the decision came from the highest levels within the BBC. /2
I was told the decision came from the highest levels within the BBC. /2
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
This sentence was taken out of a lecture they commissioned, reviewed through the full editorial process, and recorded four weeks ago in front of 500 people in the BBC Radio Theatre.
I was told the decision came from the highest levels within the BBC. /2
I was told the decision came from the highest levels within the BBC. /2
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
It's interesting, but I don't think it properly grapples with what Gill did. Effectively, it's saying he was a good apple who inexplicably turned bad, as if this, and the particular form it took, had nothing whatsoever to do with the parties he belonged to or anyone else in them. 1/2
An interesting piece and the first one to properly grapple with what Nathan Gill did by a figure from within Reform
gawaintowler.substack.com/p/the-deep-b...
gawaintowler.substack.com/p/the-deep-b...
The Deep Betrayal of Nathan Gill
A Personal Reckoning
gawaintowler.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:11 AM
It's interesting, but I don't think it properly grapples with what Gill did. Effectively, it's saying he was a good apple who inexplicably turned bad, as if this, and the particular form it took, had nothing whatsoever to do with the parties he belonged to or anyone else in them. 1/2
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
It's not a coincidence that the four most damaging politicians of the last two decades (Cameron, Osborne, Johnson and Farage) are all the products of English public schools.
November 25, 2025 at 8:54 AM
It's not a coincidence that the four most damaging politicians of the last two decades (Cameron, Osborne, Johnson and Farage) are all the products of English public schools.
Reposted by Patrick Andrews
Labour needs to learn the lessons from putting VAT on private school fees.
A clear policy, a well argued case and faced down critics. That's the way forward not surrendering at the first smell of cordite.
Labour has a stonking majority. Use it.
A clear policy, a well argued case and faced down critics. That's the way forward not surrendering at the first smell of cordite.
Labour has a stonking majority. Use it.
November 25, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Labour needs to learn the lessons from putting VAT on private school fees.
A clear policy, a well argued case and faced down critics. That's the way forward not surrendering at the first smell of cordite.
Labour has a stonking majority. Use it.
A clear policy, a well argued case and faced down critics. That's the way forward not surrendering at the first smell of cordite.
Labour has a stonking majority. Use it.