Jonathan Calder
@lordbonkers.bsky.social
Blogger at Liberal England. Expect Dickens, politics, Steve Winwood, canals, British films, Richard Jefferies, Shropshire, Englishness, chess, social history, Malcolm Saville, philosophy, Leicestershire and Rutland, comedy, railways... That sort of thing.
Pinned
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
NEW | if the BBC *is* biased, it’s not against the right…
Arsonists cosplaying as fire fighters: Why the right-wing war on the BBC is succeeding
brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/arsonists-...
Arsonists cosplaying as fire fighters: Why the right-wing war on the BBC is succeeding
brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/arsonists-...
Arsonists cosplaying as fire fighters: Why the right-wing war on the BBC is succeeding
The resignation of Tim Davie as BBC Director-General is the next stage in the corporation's collapse into cowardice.
brokenbottleboy.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:10 PM
NEW | if the BBC *is* biased, it’s not against the right…
Arsonists cosplaying as fire fighters: Why the right-wing war on the BBC is succeeding
brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/arsonists-...
Arsonists cosplaying as fire fighters: Why the right-wing war on the BBC is succeeding
brokenbottleboy.substack.com/p/arsonists-...
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Another case of Reform saying one thing then doing the other:
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madness” and “extortion”
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madness” and “extortion”
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform Council To Double Tax On Second Homes Despite Nigel Farage Calling The Idea 'Madness'
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madne...
www.politicshome.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Another case of Reform saying one thing then doing the other:
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madness” and “extortion”
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madness” and “extortion”
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Conservative Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston tells GB News that the BBC should "grovel" to Trump.
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
November 11, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Conservative Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston tells GB News that the BBC should "grovel" to Trump.
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Iain Sinclair once referred to "the bat-chewed pinnacles" of St Pancras, which struck me as exactly right.
Old St Pancras church and its churchyard are well worth visiting if you have time to kill at the station. The Beatles went there on their Mad Day Out.
Old St Pancras church and its churchyard are well worth visiting if you have time to kill at the station. The Beatles went there on their Mad Day Out.
Jago Hazzard celebrates the gothic history of St Pancras
Jago Hazzard posted this, his thousandth video, a couple of weeks ago. And he found a fitting subject for it. Iain Sinclair once referred to...
liberalengland.blogspot.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Iain Sinclair once referred to "the bat-chewed pinnacles" of St Pancras, which struck me as exactly right.
Old St Pancras church and its churchyard are well worth visiting if you have time to kill at the station. The Beatles went there on their Mad Day Out.
Old St Pancras church and its churchyard are well worth visiting if you have time to kill at the station. The Beatles went there on their Mad Day Out.
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Advisers told ministers banning Palestine Action could make it more popular
Advisers told ministers banning Palestine Action could make it more popular
Briefing paper warned proscription could also heighten Muslim-Jewish tensions and be seen as favouring Israel
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Advisers told ministers banning Palestine Action could make it more popular
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
The Crystal Palace dinosaurs should be a veteran centre back pairing, but are in fact amazing Victorian sculptures.
There's good news about the Crystal Palace dinosaurs
Crystal Palace Park is undergoing a multi-million-pound regeneration project, reports News Shopper , which is particularly good news for its...
liberalengland.blogspot.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:08 PM
The Crystal Palace dinosaurs should be a veteran centre back pairing, but are in fact amazing Victorian sculptures.
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Happy birthday Andy Partridge, 72 today
One the best songwriters & performers of pop. Even though we only got to sample a tiny percentage of his talents as he was forced to discontinue due to his mental health.
Despite his shortened tenure AP has given us a technicolour palette of wit for decades
One the best songwriters & performers of pop. Even though we only got to sample a tiny percentage of his talents as he was forced to discontinue due to his mental health.
Despite his shortened tenure AP has given us a technicolour palette of wit for decades
November 11, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Happy birthday Andy Partridge, 72 today
One the best songwriters & performers of pop. Even though we only got to sample a tiny percentage of his talents as he was forced to discontinue due to his mental health.
Despite his shortened tenure AP has given us a technicolour palette of wit for decades
One the best songwriters & performers of pop. Even though we only got to sample a tiny percentage of his talents as he was forced to discontinue due to his mental health.
Despite his shortened tenure AP has given us a technicolour palette of wit for decades
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
the cover up over Prince Andrew; Alistair Burt changes his mind on Israel; "Add it to the school curriculum"; scandals in scientific research are conveniently forgotten; the 12-lane motorways that would have flattened London; Rustic Ale
The Joy of Six 1433
Before his books about the Royal Family, Andrew Lownie wrote about Britain's intelligence services. He found them much more helpful than ro...
liberalengland.blogspot.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:11 AM
the cover up over Prince Andrew; Alistair Burt changes his mind on Israel; "Add it to the school curriculum"; scandals in scientific research are conveniently forgotten; the 12-lane motorways that would have flattened London; Rustic Ale
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
More from the late, great Peter Watkins, 1967's Privilege is a startling mockumentry about a fictional pop singer called Steven Shorter, played by Paul Jones; the single I've Been A Bad Bad Boy reached the top 5. Insights into The Beatles, The Stones and Bowie 4/5
film-authority.com/2025/11/11/p...
film-authority.com/2025/11/11/p...
Privilege (1967) - film-authority.com
[…] More
film-authority.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:27 AM
More from the late, great Peter Watkins, 1967's Privilege is a startling mockumentry about a fictional pop singer called Steven Shorter, played by Paul Jones; the single I've Been A Bad Bad Boy reached the top 5. Insights into The Beatles, The Stones and Bowie 4/5
film-authority.com/2025/11/11/p...
film-authority.com/2025/11/11/p...
Well said, Ed.
Meanwhile, the silence from Keir Starmer is deafening.
Meanwhile, the silence from Keir Starmer is deafening.
Ed Davey speaks up for the BBC: Why won't Keir Starmer?
The BBC is under attack as never before. Donald Trump and his cronies have it squarely in their sights – and there are no prizes for guessin...
liberalengland.blogspot.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Well said, Ed.
Meanwhile, the silence from Keir Starmer is deafening.
Meanwhile, the silence from Keir Starmer is deafening.
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
1/2 I keeping on coming back to this point in conversations with @paulhindley2210.bsky.social. The LibDems do not have a clear & constructive position on employer/employee relations. Surely LibDems aren't happy with the status quo? But they're not arguing for anything else.
I don't expect the Lib Dems to support everything that's in the government's Employment Rights Bill, but have we moved or backed any amendments that would give workers more rights than Labour proposes?
November 11, 2025 at 10:10 AM
1/2 I keeping on coming back to this point in conversations with @paulhindley2210.bsky.social. The LibDems do not have a clear & constructive position on employer/employee relations. Surely LibDems aren't happy with the status quo? But they're not arguing for anything else.
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
No go area for wildlife. 'Pocket park' looks like lots of hard surfaces and no plants. Not a park at all.
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc....
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc....
New Crewe pocket parks open to boost community wellbeing - BBC News
The new sites form part of a £1.3m investment in facilities in Crewe.
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org
November 11, 2025 at 9:42 AM
No go area for wildlife. 'Pocket park' looks like lots of hard surfaces and no plants. Not a park at all.
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc....
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.bbc....
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Old colour footage of the Dinos is quite rare, and also an important asset.
This film was made during one of the “Iguanodons look they have goggly eyes due to excessive white paint” periods..
This film was made during one of the “Iguanodons look they have goggly eyes due to excessive white paint” periods..
The Crystal Palace dinosaurs should be a veteran centre back pairing, but are in fact amazing Victorian sculptures.
There's good news about the Crystal Palace dinosaurs
Crystal Palace Park is undergoing a multi-million-pound regeneration project, reports News Shopper , which is particularly good news for its...
liberalengland.blogspot.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Old colour footage of the Dinos is quite rare, and also an important asset.
This film was made during one of the “Iguanodons look they have goggly eyes due to excessive white paint” periods..
This film was made during one of the “Iguanodons look they have goggly eyes due to excessive white paint” periods..
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Stock images used in DCC presentation planning PR campaigns to promote active travel and use of cycle lane (left), vs images of actual cycle infrastructure in the city. "Only 36% of respondents felt safe cycling in Dublin City". Hmmm.
November 11, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Stock images used in DCC presentation planning PR campaigns to promote active travel and use of cycle lane (left), vs images of actual cycle infrastructure in the city. "Only 36% of respondents felt safe cycling in Dublin City". Hmmm.
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
I don't expect the Lib Dems to support everything that's in the government's Employment Rights Bill, but have we moved or backed any amendments that would give workers more rights than Labour proposes?
November 10, 2025 at 5:59 PM
I don't expect the Lib Dems to support everything that's in the government's Employment Rights Bill, but have we moved or backed any amendments that would give workers more rights than Labour proposes?
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Frances was discreetly delighted: Jack would not come down to see her just now, and with Bevis's mother she could go up and see him with propriety.
#BevisTheStoryOfABoy #RichardJefferies #Bevis
#BevisTheStoryOfABoy #RichardJefferies #Bevis
November 10, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Frances was discreetly delighted: Jack would not come down to see her just now, and with Bevis's mother she could go up and see him with propriety.
#BevisTheStoryOfABoy #RichardJefferies #Bevis
#BevisTheStoryOfABoy #RichardJefferies #Bevis
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
If a self-identifying “left of centre” government with a parliamentary majority of more than a hundred seats won’t defend a vital public service institution you really have to ask why it’s in government at all.
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 11, 2025 at 9:08 AM
If a self-identifying “left of centre” government with a parliamentary majority of more than a hundred seats won’t defend a vital public service institution you really have to ask why it’s in government at all.
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
And there we go: “Pay up or I’ll sue for a $1bn”, it’s a shakedown: “Accordingly, President Trump hereby demands that you: [apologise] and (3) appropriately compensate President Trump for the harm caused.” www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
November 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM
And there we go: “Pay up or I’ll sue for a $1bn”, it’s a shakedown: “Accordingly, President Trump hereby demands that you: [apologise] and (3) appropriately compensate President Trump for the harm caused.” www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
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 Jonathan Calder
I think, as an American who studied the speech to assess whether it constituted unlawful incitement, the BBC edit was poor journalistic form, but it did not convey something substantively different than reality. My thing? The apology doesn’t convey to me that the BBC gets Trump isn’t a fair broker.
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 11, 2025 at 8:53 AM
I think, as an American who studied the speech to assess whether it constituted unlawful incitement, the BBC edit was poor journalistic form, but it did not convey something substantively different than reality. My thing? The apology doesn’t convey to me that the BBC gets Trump isn’t a fair broker.
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
This is a short piece about the newly unveiled headstone at the location of her burial. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/l...
BBC News - Woman Who Posed as Soldier in WW1 Honoured
The WW1 reporter who secretly joined the frontline has been honoured a century later
www.bbc.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 8:59 AM
This is a short piece about the newly unveiled headstone at the location of her burial. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/l...
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
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 Jonathan Calder
A future of organised drone disruption. Is it heresy to gently point out that the hype around deliveries and air taxis will have to go back in the box?
Britain’s airports will be disrupted by ‘organised’ drone attacks, warns aviation regulator
‘It’s not a question of if, only of when,’ says CAA chief
on.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:35 AM
A future of organised drone disruption. Is it heresy to gently point out that the hype around deliveries and air taxis will have to go back in the box?
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
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 Jonathan Calder
Still reflecting on the Rupert Harrison interview on Times Radio yesterday when he argued that it was OK to raise the basic rate of income tax (which hasn’t been raised for fifty years) but that the Chancellor couldn’t raise fuel duty because that had been frozen since 2010 🤔
November 11, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Still reflecting on the Rupert Harrison interview on Times Radio yesterday when he argued that it was OK to raise the basic rate of income tax (which hasn’t been raised for fifty years) but that the Chancellor couldn’t raise fuel duty because that had been frozen since 2010 🤔