Ed Larrissy
@edlarrissy.bsky.social
Retired Literature Professor. Worked at Queen's Belfast, Leeds, Warwick. Living in southern France. Opinions my own.
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
Now tell us about your "Island of strangers" speech, you absolute binfire of a PM.
Racism returning to UK politics – and people are very scared, says Starmer
Racism returning to UK politics – and people are very scared, says Starmer
PM attacks ‘toxic division of Reform’ and gives strongest signal yet that two-child benefit cap will be lifted
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UK politics live – latest updates
Decades-old racism is returning to British politics, and “it makes people feel very scared” Keir Starmer has said, warning that divisive hard-right politics was “tearing our country apart”.
Speaking to GP and TV personality Amir Khan, the prime minister accused Nigel Farage’s Reform UK of overseeing a return of the racist and divisive politics “that frankly I thought we had dealt with decades ago”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Now tell us about your "Island of strangers" speech, you absolute binfire of a PM.
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
Note that still in post at the BBC is Robbie Gibb, who helped set up GB News, and John McAndrew, formerly director of news and programmes at GB News.
November 10, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Note that still in post at the BBC is Robbie Gibb, who helped set up GB News, and John McAndrew, formerly director of news and programmes at GB News.
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
Palestinian woman Umm Zuhri Shweiki was forcibly expelled from her home in occupied East Jerusalem by Israeli forces, who seized and emptied her house before handing it to Israeli settlers.
November 10, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Palestinian woman Umm Zuhri Shweiki was forcibly expelled from her home in occupied East Jerusalem by Israeli forces, who seized and emptied her house before handing it to Israeli settlers.
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
Who better for the BBC to get to talk about journalistic standards than the man responsible for the S*n front page blaming Liverpool fans for the Hillsborough disaster?
November 10, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Who better for the BBC to get to talk about journalistic standards than the man responsible for the S*n front page blaming Liverpool fans for the Hillsborough disaster?
BBC impartiality: A full list of all the British MEPs who appeared on BBC Question Time.
November 11, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
I do not understand the Labour government's reticence over defending the BBC and social media regulation. Their long-term survival basically depends on it. Their cowardice in the face of it may be the single thing they are most remembered for.
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
BBC faces ‘existential’ threat after exit of top executives
Broadcaster’s deepest crisis in recent history comes amid fresh questions over its future role in British society
on.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:35 AM
I do not understand the Labour government's reticence over defending the BBC and social media regulation. Their long-term survival basically depends on it. Their cowardice in the face of it may be the single thing they are most remembered for.
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
Anyone know who's paying for Farage's weekly press events, it can't be cheap. They're basically weekly Party Political Broadcasts, he's running rings round the media who turn up every week and in some cases breathlessly report his every word.
November 11, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Anyone know who's paying for Farage's weekly press events, it can't be cheap. They're basically weekly Party Political Broadcasts, he's running rings round the media who turn up every week and in some cases breathlessly report his every word.
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
You may have missed this gem yesterday. From which we learn that:
1. Betting shops are really good for the mental health of isolated people.
2. Most drug-takers are not a problem.
3. Kids put tuppence in slot machines in the hope of getting rich.
4. Farage probably has a gambling industry donor.
1. Betting shops are really good for the mental health of isolated people.
2. Most drug-takers are not a problem.
3. Kids put tuppence in slot machines in the hope of getting rich.
4. Farage probably has a gambling industry donor.
November 11, 2025 at 10:08 AM
You may have missed this gem yesterday. From which we learn that:
1. Betting shops are really good for the mental health of isolated people.
2. Most drug-takers are not a problem.
3. Kids put tuppence in slot machines in the hope of getting rich.
4. Farage probably has a gambling industry donor.
1. Betting shops are really good for the mental health of isolated people.
2. Most drug-takers are not a problem.
3. Kids put tuppence in slot machines in the hope of getting rich.
4. Farage probably has a gambling industry donor.
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
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?
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
“When I was [at the BBC], at the height of Boris Johnson’s strength, that fear was ubiquitous. Scripts were sometimes written with a view not solely to their impartiality or truth, but the management of perception of impartiality from one side of the spectrum.“ @lewisgoodall.com
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
goodallandgoodluck.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:21 PM
“When I was [at the BBC], at the height of Boris Johnson’s strength, that fear was ubiquitous. Scripts were sometimes written with a view not solely to their impartiality or truth, but the management of perception of impartiality from one side of the spectrum.“ @lewisgoodall.com
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
It takes an obscene amount of hubris to lecture the BBC when you have The Telegraph’s record on truth-telling.
Some of the paper’s errors this year are so bad they’re almost laughable 👇🏻
Some of the paper’s errors this year are so bad they’re almost laughable 👇🏻
The Telegraph’s BBC hypocrisy
A paper that knows a thing or two about editorial f*ck-ups...
writesbright.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:48 PM
It takes an obscene amount of hubris to lecture the BBC when you have The Telegraph’s record on truth-telling.
Some of the paper’s errors this year are so bad they’re almost laughable 👇🏻
Some of the paper’s errors this year are so bad they’re almost laughable 👇🏻
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
Second there are years of media commentary about Trump encouraging an attack before the broadcast. So how would a Panorama programme, in Florida, have influenced an average member of the public?
November 11, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Second there are years of media commentary about Trump encouraging an attack before the broadcast. So how would a Panorama programme, in Florida, have influenced an average member of the public?
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
I'm not about to go up against Joshua Rozenberg on legal analysis, but his assessment on Radio 4 right now seems a bit odd. First, BBC player *isn't* available in Florida, is it? That's why you need a vpn to watch the Beeb there.
November 11, 2025 at 8:15 AM
I'm not about to go up against Joshua Rozenberg on legal analysis, but his assessment on Radio 4 right now seems a bit odd. First, BBC player *isn't* available in Florida, is it? That's why you need a vpn to watch the Beeb there.
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
Trump and his cronies have the BBC in their sights. Leaders can’t stay silent while one of our great institutions is attacked.
We must defend its independence, end political appointments, and remove Robbie Gibb from the Board.
We must defend its independence, end political appointments, and remove Robbie Gibb from the Board.
November 10, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Trump and his cronies have the BBC in their sights. Leaders can’t stay silent while one of our great institutions is attacked.
We must defend its independence, end political appointments, and remove Robbie Gibb from the Board.
We must defend its independence, end political appointments, and remove Robbie Gibb from the Board.
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
“A sustained campaign of anti-migrant rhetoric is fuelling a growing cesspool of racism, including against international and ethnic minority nursing staff, without whom our health and care system would simply cease to function.”
How disgraceful.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
How disgraceful.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
NHS staff who visit patients at home say St George’s flags can mean ‘no-go zones’
Black and Asian staff left feeling ‘deliberately intimidated’, according to chief executive of one NHS trust
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:00 AM
“A sustained campaign of anti-migrant rhetoric is fuelling a growing cesspool of racism, including against international and ethnic minority nursing staff, without whom our health and care system would simply cease to function.”
How disgraceful.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
How disgraceful.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
Europe is struggling - badly - to adjust to a world in which China is a dominant trading player, and the US isn't particularly interested in helping an obviously flailing continent.
Hundreds of empty or unrealistic China policy papers are coming back to haunt us.
Hundreds of empty or unrealistic China policy papers are coming back to haunt us.
November 11, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Europe is struggling - badly - to adjust to a world in which China is a dominant trading player, and the US isn't particularly interested in helping an obviously flailing continent.
Hundreds of empty or unrealistic China policy papers are coming back to haunt us.
Hundreds of empty or unrealistic China policy papers are coming back to haunt us.
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
Perish the thought that the US or EU would ever try to weaponise trade... and just to point out again that the Chinese have historic reasons for not fully trusting the beneficence of traders from elsewhere...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Nexperia row shows how China is weaponising trade – and winning
Experts say Brussels must stand up against Beijing using supplies of vital chips and minerals as ‘sword of Damocles’
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Perish the thought that the US or EU would ever try to weaponise trade... and just to point out again that the Chinese have historic reasons for not fully trusting the beneficence of traders from elsewhere...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
The first step towards saving our precious #BBC: remove Robbie #Gibb from the board
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The first step towards saving our precious BBC: remove Robbie Gibb from the board | Ed Davey
The BBC belongs to all of us, and it is under attack as never before. The government must defend it from its enemies, within and without, says Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:29 AM
The first step towards saving our precious #BBC: remove Robbie #Gibb from the board
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
"Wahls speculated that the moderate members who voted with Republicans were privately given Schumer’s blessing to do so."
Schumer is pressured to step aside as Senate Democratic leader after shutdown vote
Schumer is pressured to step aside as Senate Democratic leader after shutdown vote
National progressive organizations urged Chuck Schumer to step down, and have encouraged New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for his Senate seat in 2029.
www.latimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:55 PM
"Wahls speculated that the moderate members who voted with Republicans were privately given Schumer’s blessing to do so."
#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’
@bbcnewsnight.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
@bbcnewsnight.bsky.social
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 10, 2025 at 8:13 PM
#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’
@bbcnewsnight.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
@bbcnewsnight.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
Just absolutely classic BBC. You've just broadcast the most successful programme of the year, uniting Gen Z kids online and Boomers on broadcast in a return to appointment television. And instead of celebrating, your DG reigns due to a made-up right-wing scandal.
November 9, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Just absolutely classic BBC. You've just broadcast the most successful programme of the year, uniting Gen Z kids online and Boomers on broadcast in a return to appointment television. And instead of celebrating, your DG reigns due to a made-up right-wing scandal.
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
So if the BBC does a programme on say modern medicine, does it need to make a counterpart on humours, bleeding and phrenology?
November 9, 2025 at 10:12 PM
So if the BBC does a programme on say modern medicine, does it need to make a counterpart on humours, bleeding and phrenology?
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
Prescott's memo is also massively overblown. The J6 Committee report showed that Trump *did* contribute to the riots, and did nothing to stop them once they started
So the 'misleading' effect of the BBC edits (which were wrong, IMV) was to give the impression of something that was correct
So the 'misleading' effect of the BBC edits (which were wrong, IMV) was to give the impression of something that was correct
November 9, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Prescott's memo is also massively overblown. The J6 Committee report showed that Trump *did* contribute to the riots, and did nothing to stop them once they started
So the 'misleading' effect of the BBC edits (which were wrong, IMV) was to give the impression of something that was correct
So the 'misleading' effect of the BBC edits (which were wrong, IMV) was to give the impression of something that was correct
Reposted by Ed Larrissy
The spotlight needs to fall on this Prescott bloke and his relationship with Robbie Gibb.
November 9, 2025 at 10:30 PM
The spotlight needs to fall on this Prescott bloke and his relationship with Robbie Gibb.