Louise, Prof/Dr
@louiselocock.bsky.social
Mostly retired qualitative health services researcher, linguist, europhile, cat lover. Other animals welcome.
Mostly in Oxford, occasionally in Aberdeen
She/her
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8109-1930
Mostly in Oxford, occasionally in Aberdeen
She/her
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8109-1930
Pinned
Surely anyone who fails to do their job properly can be asked to leave, no matter how long their contract?
Meanwhile the government is mumbling that it can’t do anything about Robbie Gibb because he was appointed until 2028, whilst overlooking their majority that would allow them to completely rewrite the BBC’s charter to provide proper governance
November 11, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Surely anyone who fails to do their job properly can be asked to leave, no matter how long their contract?
NHS staff who visit patients at home say St George’s flags can mean ‘no-go zones’ 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 5:28 AM
NHS staff who visit patients at home say St George’s flags can mean ‘no-go zones’ www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
This is so good on how right wingers like Robbie Gibb genuinely believe their political views are just impartial "common sense" and never interrogate their own biases.
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 10:19 PM
This is so good on how right wingers like Robbie Gibb genuinely believe their political views are just impartial "common sense" and never interrogate their own biases.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
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 Louise, Prof/Dr
Absolutely right. I criticise BBC News, because we need it to be as good as we know it can be. People like Farage criticise the BBC, because they work for its competitors and don't want it to exist.
🎯 Davey is spot on. "We can have criticism of the BBC, but within that, we need to recognise how valuable an institution it is [and how] precious to our country. And that's one of the reasons why people like President Trump and Nigel Farage, want to undermine the BBC." 👏🏽~AA
November 10, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Absolutely right. I criticise BBC News, because we need it to be as good as we know it can be. People like Farage criticise the BBC, because they work for its competitors and don't want it to exist.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Tips for the next DG:
1 - Don't stake your future on impartiality. Perfect impartiality is impossible. Focus on accuracy and accountability. Let journalists and producers do their job. If they get it badly wrong, sack them.
2 - Reverse the deliberate, prolonged cut to arts programming.
1 - Don't stake your future on impartiality. Perfect impartiality is impossible. Focus on accuracy and accountability. Let journalists and producers do their job. If they get it badly wrong, sack them.
2 - Reverse the deliberate, prolonged cut to arts programming.
November 9, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Tips for the next DG:
1 - Don't stake your future on impartiality. Perfect impartiality is impossible. Focus on accuracy and accountability. Let journalists and producers do their job. If they get it badly wrong, sack them.
2 - Reverse the deliberate, prolonged cut to arts programming.
1 - Don't stake your future on impartiality. Perfect impartiality is impossible. Focus on accuracy and accountability. Let journalists and producers do their job. If they get it badly wrong, sack them.
2 - Reverse the deliberate, prolonged cut to arts programming.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
The absolute state of Allison Pearson & GBeebies.
A malevolent, malignant and profoundly unfunny joke of a media outlet.
In a normal country under normal circumstances, the national regulator would throw the book at a TV station that put out such hate-mongering disinformation.
But here we are.
A malevolent, malignant and profoundly unfunny joke of a media outlet.
In a normal country under normal circumstances, the national regulator would throw the book at a TV station that put out such hate-mongering disinformation.
But here we are.
A national newspaper journalist went on a British TV channel to claim police stats showed asylum-seekers committed 44% of sex crimes in Dorset.
This shocking claim was treated as fact by the channel which promoted the clip on social media where it was amplified by AI.
Except... it's bollocks.
This shocking claim was treated as fact by the channel which promoted the clip on social media where it was amplified by AI.
Except... it's bollocks.
November 9, 2025 at 8:18 PM
The absolute state of Allison Pearson & GBeebies.
A malevolent, malignant and profoundly unfunny joke of a media outlet.
In a normal country under normal circumstances, the national regulator would throw the book at a TV station that put out such hate-mongering disinformation.
But here we are.
A malevolent, malignant and profoundly unfunny joke of a media outlet.
In a normal country under normal circumstances, the national regulator would throw the book at a TV station that put out such hate-mongering disinformation.
But here we are.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Tim Davie resigning from the BBC over the edited Trump video is like Al Capone being jailed for tax evasion: sometimes the right thing happens for the wrong reason.
November 9, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Tim Davie resigning from the BBC over the edited Trump video is like Al Capone being jailed for tax evasion: sometimes the right thing happens for the wrong reason.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
I had my disagreements with the BBC under Tim Davie but he was a decent man doing a difficult job.
To see Trump's White House claiming credit for his downfall and attacking the BBC should worry us all.
To see Trump's White House claiming credit for his downfall and attacking the BBC should worry us all.
November 9, 2025 at 8:00 PM
I had my disagreements with the BBC under Tim Davie but he was a decent man doing a difficult job.
To see Trump's White House claiming credit for his downfall and attacking the BBC should worry us all.
To see Trump's White House claiming credit for his downfall and attacking the BBC should worry us all.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
The resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness must be an opportunity for the BBC to turn a new leaf, rebuild trust and resist those like Nigel Farage who want to destroy it
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
November 9, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness must be an opportunity for the BBC to turn a new leaf, rebuild trust and resist those like Nigel Farage who want to destroy it
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Billionaire Broadcasting Corporation loses its head
Tim Davie, Director Genital of screwing up the BBC, has been axed of his own accord due to one minuscule edit which didn't need editing, but not because he took a service paid for by the public and made it a plaything of the corrupt and powerful.
Tim Davie, Director Genital of screwing up the BBC, has been axed of his own accord due to one minuscule edit which didn't need editing, but not because he took a service paid for by the public and made it a plaything of the corrupt and powerful.
November 9, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Billionaire Broadcasting Corporation loses its head
Tim Davie, Director Genital of screwing up the BBC, has been axed of his own accord due to one minuscule edit which didn't need editing, but not because he took a service paid for by the public and made it a plaything of the corrupt and powerful.
Tim Davie, Director Genital of screwing up the BBC, has been axed of his own accord due to one minuscule edit which didn't need editing, but not because he took a service paid for by the public and made it a plaything of the corrupt and powerful.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
This is very much the wrong reason for Tim Davie to go, but he has been an utterly terrible DG of the BBC. I hold no hope that his successor will be any better and quite a lot of fear that they will be much worse.
November 9, 2025 at 6:19 PM
This is very much the wrong reason for Tim Davie to go, but he has been an utterly terrible DG of the BBC. I hold no hope that his successor will be any better and quite a lot of fear that they will be much worse.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
This is the most abysmal, pathetic thing. The BBC head resigning because the corporation is not supine *enough* to the far-right.
🔴 Breaking I Davie faced mounting criticism that a Panorama documentary misled viewers by editing a speech by Donald Trump
➡️ Read more: trib.al/I0iw7aP
➡️ Read more: trib.al/I0iw7aP
November 9, 2025 at 6:16 PM
This is the most abysmal, pathetic thing. The BBC head resigning because the corporation is not supine *enough* to the far-right.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
After a fourth successive heavy annual defeat for Restore Trust, we should (but won't) have Telegraph reporters descending on the scone-eaters at historic properties to ask why they weren't in touch
This is an assymetry between the liberal left and the culture warriors of the metropolitan right
This is an assymetry between the liberal left and the culture warriors of the metropolitan right
November 9, 2025 at 4:34 PM
After a fourth successive heavy annual defeat for Restore Trust, we should (but won't) have Telegraph reporters descending on the scone-eaters at historic properties to ask why they weren't in touch
This is an assymetry between the liberal left and the culture warriors of the metropolitan right
This is an assymetry between the liberal left and the culture warriors of the metropolitan right
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
This, my friends, is what real (not fake) religious people do….
“We have rarely witnessed such brutality erupt into public view like it has in Chicago,” writes Michael Woolf, senior minister of Lake Street Church of Evanston. “For me, this is a spiritual emergency, and it means putting our bodies on the line in order to stop deportations.”
I’m One of the Clergy ICE Assaulted. They Treat Immigrants Worse
I learned the hard way that my clerical collar doesn’t offer much protection from ICE. But immigrants have no protection at all.
sojo.net
November 9, 2025 at 5:18 PM
This, my friends, is what real (not fake) religious people do….
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Getting it about 'the boats' right now again in this pub. It's just crushing. It's every five minutes, there's just no respite.
I'm so, so sick of hearing about immigration. It's like a foghorn 24/7. On the news. In the papers. In the shops and the pub. In the coffee shop. For God's sake just knock it off - yeah it's important, but it's not the only or even the main thing going on.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK seeks inspiration from Denmark to shake up immigration system
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is taking cues from some of the toughest migration laws in Europe.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Getting it about 'the boats' right now again in this pub. It's just crushing. It's every five minutes, there's just no respite.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Parking lot at the National Opera of Estonia.
November 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Parking lot at the National Opera of Estonia.
Well that's certainly one way to mark Remembrance Sunday
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Well that's certainly one way to mark Remembrance Sunday
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
If they only knew how to zoom in, they might just be able to make out the red poppy too....
November 9, 2025 at 12:10 PM
If they only knew how to zoom in, they might just be able to make out the red poppy too....
For Remembrance Sunday, all war dead including young German lads.
"Harvard has not forgotten her sons who gave their lives for their country under a different flag." #whitepoppy memorialchurch.harvard.edu/world-war-i-...
"Harvard has not forgotten her sons who gave their lives for their country under a different flag." #whitepoppy memorialchurch.harvard.edu/world-war-i-...
World War I German Memorial | The Memorial Church
memorialchurch.harvard.edu
November 9, 2025 at 9:52 AM
For Remembrance Sunday, all war dead including young German lads.
"Harvard has not forgotten her sons who gave their lives for their country under a different flag." #whitepoppy memorialchurch.harvard.edu/world-war-i-...
"Harvard has not forgotten her sons who gave their lives for their country under a different flag." #whitepoppy memorialchurch.harvard.edu/world-war-i-...
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Rage against group think, writes Matthew Syed in the Sunday Times, by reading out a paragraph of what *I* think at the beginning of every BBC editorial meeting.
November 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Rage against group think, writes Matthew Syed in the Sunday Times, by reading out a paragraph of what *I* think at the beginning of every BBC editorial meeting.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Some more details here
The photo of the fish's mouth isn't teeth, they are nurdles
The photo of the fish's mouth isn't teeth, they are nurdles
From 3 years ago
"Nurdles: the worst toxic waste you’ve probably never heard of
Billions of these tiny plastic pellets are floating in the ocean, causing as much damage as oil spills, yet they are still not classified as hazardous"
"Nurdles: the worst toxic waste you’ve probably never heard of
Billions of these tiny plastic pellets are floating in the ocean, causing as much damage as oil spills, yet they are still not classified as hazardous"
Nurdles: the worst toxic waste you’ve probably never heard of
Billions of these tiny plastic pellets are floating in the ocean, causing as much damage as oil spills, yet they are still not classified as hazardous
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Some more details here
The photo of the fish's mouth isn't teeth, they are nurdles
The photo of the fish's mouth isn't teeth, they are nurdles
Well, I'm thrilled that we beat off 'Restore Trust' again this year, and that their number of votes was well down. But N.B. also a drop in other #NationalTrust voters. We must not let our guard down.
Participation peaked in 2023 as Restore Trust mobilised their support & their opponents
Energy dropping now
Endorsed slate
35k (2025)
42-43k (2024)
80k+ (2023)
Restore Trust campaign
12-13k (2025)
17,500 - 20,000 votes (2024)
46k-48k (2023)
Non-slate candidates have little or no chance now
Energy dropping now
Endorsed slate
35k (2025)
42-43k (2024)
80k+ (2023)
Restore Trust campaign
12-13k (2025)
17,500 - 20,000 votes (2024)
46k-48k (2023)
Non-slate candidates have little or no chance now
November 9, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Well, I'm thrilled that we beat off 'Restore Trust' again this year, and that their number of votes was well down. But N.B. also a drop in other #NationalTrust voters. We must not let our guard down.
Reposted by Louise, Prof/Dr
Apparently all those Restore Trust supporters who paid for a membership last year to try to take over the NT didn’t renew this year. Numbers well down.
Well done to all who voted to keep them out. 👏
Well done to all who voted to keep them out. 👏
National Trust council elections saw a defeat for the Restore Trust campaign.
35k members voted to re-elect a slate of council candidates endorsed by the nominations committee
12k - 13.5k voted for candidates on Restore Trust slate
Non-slate candidated
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/a...
35k members voted to re-elect a slate of council candidates endorsed by the nominations committee
12k - 13.5k voted for candidates on Restore Trust slate
Non-slate candidated
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/who-we-are/a...
Voting results from the AGM
Read about the National Trust's 2025 Annual General Meeting and the results from the day.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
November 9, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Apparently all those Restore Trust supporters who paid for a membership last year to try to take over the NT didn’t renew this year. Numbers well down.
Well done to all who voted to keep them out. 👏
Well done to all who voted to keep them out. 👏
I had to look up what nurdles are: the mini building blocks of most plastic products.
www.mcsuk.org/news/what-ar...
www.mcsuk.org/news/what-ar...
November 9, 2025 at 7:18 AM
I had to look up what nurdles are: the mini building blocks of most plastic products.
www.mcsuk.org/news/what-ar...
www.mcsuk.org/news/what-ar...