Lucy Seton-Watson
@lucysetonw.bsky.social
Native Londoner, long-time Cairene, now living DK. Citizen of Nowhere par excellence. Live by the written word. Lifelong close reader: originally Greek/Latin, then Wittgenstein, then medieval ceremonial architecture in Mamluk Cairo, now back to Eng Lit.
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
I despair about all this who is briefing against who nonsense.
Could they just govern.
Could they just govern.
November 12, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I despair about all this who is briefing against who nonsense.
Could they just govern.
Could they just govern.
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
Waking up to news 🚨 that 6 (!) Roman statues were stolen from Syria’s National Museum, in Damascus, on Monday. No details on which statues yet, but I had a few pics below from the GRB gallery with the famed Al-Lat Athena. Heartbreaking news.
thehill.com/homenews/ap/...
thehill.com/homenews/ap/...
November 11, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Waking up to news 🚨 that 6 (!) Roman statues were stolen from Syria’s National Museum, in Damascus, on Monday. No details on which statues yet, but I had a few pics below from the GRB gallery with the famed Al-Lat Athena. Heartbreaking news.
thehill.com/homenews/ap/...
thehill.com/homenews/ap/...
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
If I had a national institution I wanted to undermine, Hanover Communications are who I’d go to.
They’ve been undermining the NHS for years, successfully lobbying for firms to get NHS ££, including US giant United Health, & providing staff to pro-private politicians.
It’s just what they do.
They’ve been undermining the NHS for years, successfully lobbying for firms to get NHS ££, including US giant United Health, & providing staff to pro-private politicians.
It’s just what they do.
1/ Michael Prescott of Hanover Communications, whose leaked memo alleging left-wing bias led to the BBC meltdown.
You could be forgiven for thinking that a corporate lobbyist & former Murdoch press hack may not have the best interests of public-service broadcasting at heart.
You could be forgiven for thinking that a corporate lobbyist & former Murdoch press hack may not have the best interests of public-service broadcasting at heart.
November 11, 2025 at 8:13 AM
If I had a national institution I wanted to undermine, Hanover Communications are who I’d go to.
They’ve been undermining the NHS for years, successfully lobbying for firms to get NHS ££, including US giant United Health, & providing staff to pro-private politicians.
It’s just what they do.
They’ve been undermining the NHS for years, successfully lobbying for firms to get NHS ££, including US giant United Health, & providing staff to pro-private politicians.
It’s just what they do.
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
What you’re witnessing is a populist assault on the BBC.
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
November 10, 2025 at 10:52 AM
What you’re witnessing is a populist assault on the BBC.
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
The impossible dream some people on the British right are chasing is that you can have a BBC News operation that retreats from detail and expertise, that takes dictation from the government, but this will only create incompetence and failure when it suits you:
To fix the BBC, focus on competence and cash
Corporation fails to learn from criticism, while politicians have consciously reduced its scope for quality journalism
www.ft.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:01 AM
The impossible dream some people on the British right are chasing is that you can have a BBC News operation that retreats from detail and expertise, that takes dictation from the government, but this will only create incompetence and failure when it suits you:
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
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 Lucy Seton-Watson
Today on Remembrance Sunday, we honour the courage and sacrifice of those who have served in our Armed Forces.
Their service and dedication will never be forgotten. 🌹
#LestWeForget
Their service and dedication will never be forgotten. 🌹
#LestWeForget
November 9, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Today on Remembrance Sunday, we honour the courage and sacrifice of those who have served in our Armed Forces.
Their service and dedication will never be forgotten. 🌹
#LestWeForget
Their service and dedication will never be forgotten. 🌹
#LestWeForget
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
I have read this.
This plan would, in my modest opinion, blow up the EU. And reading about a collision course between France and Germany in days like these is profoundly disturbing. Remember how European integration started.
This plan would, in my modest opinion, blow up the EU. And reading about a collision course between France and Germany in days like these is profoundly disturbing. Remember how European integration started.
Aged just 30, the president of the populist-right party, National Rally, is now France’s most popular politician. Jordan Bardella says he is “not in favour of leaving the EU”, but for “a Europe of nations”
Jordan Bardella starts to lay out his plans
The 30-year-old French populist who is preparing for power
econ.st
November 6, 2025 at 7:13 AM
I have read this.
This plan would, in my modest opinion, blow up the EU. And reading about a collision course between France and Germany in days like these is profoundly disturbing. Remember how European integration started.
This plan would, in my modest opinion, blow up the EU. And reading about a collision course between France and Germany in days like these is profoundly disturbing. Remember how European integration started.
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
All you lawyers following me: any of you have time to write this?
November 6, 2025 at 8:36 AM
All you lawyers following me: any of you have time to write this?
No, Britain is not a violent place, & is *less* violent than 30 years ago.
open.substack.com/pub/fraserne...
open.substack.com/pub/fraserne...
Is Britain becoming more violent?
A look at the data
open.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:15 PM
No, Britain is not a violent place, & is *less* violent than 30 years ago.
open.substack.com/pub/fraserne...
open.substack.com/pub/fraserne...
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
so if you know someone who sounds like they'd enjoy that and be good at it (and if they *live within easy reach of North London*) then do send me a DM. it is currently a full-time job but it could be part-time in a few different ways and there's always flexibility around time off with notice.
November 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
so if you know someone who sounds like they'd enjoy that and be good at it (and if they *live within easy reach of North London*) then do send me a DM. it is currently a full-time job but it could be part-time in a few different ways and there's always flexibility around time off with notice.
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
I know this won't surprise anyone here but Musk's reprogrammed artificial intelligence is spreading misinformation about yesterday's attack on a train
November 2, 2025 at 7:41 PM
I know this won't surprise anyone here but Musk's reprogrammed artificial intelligence is spreading misinformation about yesterday's attack on a train
Loathsome.
Security footage shows nine masked Israeli settlers torturing lambs in a Palestinian pen in the southern West Bank, killing six and severely injuring four others
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Israeli settlers filmed torturing lambs in a Palestinian-owned pen in the West Bank
The Videos From the Southern West Bank Show Masked Israeli Settlers Entering the Sheep Pen, Abusing and Injuring Lambs on the Ground. Human Rights Activists Say That Settler Violence Against Palestini...
www.haaretz.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Loathsome.
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
Security footage shows nine masked Israeli settlers torturing lambs in a Palestinian pen in the southern West Bank, killing six and severely injuring four others
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Israeli settlers filmed torturing lambs in a Palestinian-owned pen in the West Bank
The Videos From the Southern West Bank Show Masked Israeli Settlers Entering the Sheep Pen, Abusing and Injuring Lambs on the Ground. Human Rights Activists Say That Settler Violence Against Palestini...
www.haaretz.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Security footage shows nine masked Israeli settlers torturing lambs in a Palestinian pen in the southern West Bank, killing six and severely injuring four others
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
"In July, three analysts who worked in INR’s Russia-Eurasia group were fired. Another analyst resigned."
In my experience, State Department's INR is the best of US intelligence. Therefore, Trump had them sacked.
Trump is an enemy of the US.
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
In my experience, State Department's INR is the best of US intelligence. Therefore, Trump had them sacked.
Trump is an enemy of the US.
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Exclusive | State Department Intelligence Agency Dissented Over Putin’s Appetite for Peace
The Central Intelligence Agency had a more positive assessment of the Russian leader’s willingness to talk.
www.wsj.com
October 26, 2025 at 5:30 PM
"In July, three analysts who worked in INR’s Russia-Eurasia group were fired. Another analyst resigned."
In my experience, State Department's INR is the best of US intelligence. Therefore, Trump had them sacked.
Trump is an enemy of the US.
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
In my experience, State Department's INR is the best of US intelligence. Therefore, Trump had them sacked.
Trump is an enemy of the US.
www.wsj.com/politics/nat...
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
Who is shocked to discover that Israel is dumping waste and rubble from Israeli inside Gaza? Top reporting and investigation from @haaretzcom www.haaretz.com/gaza/2025-10...
IDF disposes of huge piles of construction waste and rubble from Israel inside Gaza
According to Haaretz, the Trucks Transporting the Waste Are Owned by Private Companies. IDF Officers Say the Decision Was Made by Army Commanders and Warn That Hamas Could Exploit the Waste for Its Ow...
www.haaretz.com
October 26, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Who is shocked to discover that Israel is dumping waste and rubble from Israeli inside Gaza? Top reporting and investigation from @haaretzcom www.haaretz.com/gaza/2025-10...
Oh god. They never stop. The lowest of the low.
IDF disposes of large quantities of construction waste and rubble from Israel inside Gaza
www.haaretz.com/gaza/2025-10...
www.haaretz.com/gaza/2025-10...
IDF disposes of huge piles of construction waste and rubble from Israel inside Gaza
According to Haaretz, the Trucks Transporting the Waste Are Owned by Private Companies. IDF Officers Say the Decision Was Made by Army Commanders and Warn That Hamas Could Exploit the Waste for Its Ow...
www.haaretz.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Oh god. They never stop. The lowest of the low.
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
"...all were unidentified save for a number assigned by Israel." www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/w...
At a Mass Burial in Gaza, Palestinians Mourn the Unknown Dead
www.nytimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:31 PM
"...all were unidentified save for a number assigned by Israel." www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/w...
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
‘We expected to die’: Freed Gazan detainees recount Israeli torture
Though overjoyed by their release in the ceasefire, Palestinians — blinded, beaten, and starved in Israeli jails — struggled to absorb unimaginable loss.
www.972mag.com/gaza-freed-d...
Though overjoyed by their release in the ceasefire, Palestinians — blinded, beaten, and starved in Israeli jails — struggled to absorb unimaginable loss.
www.972mag.com/gaza-freed-d...
'We expected to die': Freed Gazan detainees recount Israeli torture
Though overjoyed by their release in the ceasefire, Palestinians — blinded, beaten, and starved in Israeli jails — struggled to absorb unimaginable loss.
www.972mag.com
October 20, 2025 at 12:55 PM
‘We expected to die’: Freed Gazan detainees recount Israeli torture
Though overjoyed by their release in the ceasefire, Palestinians — blinded, beaten, and starved in Israeli jails — struggled to absorb unimaginable loss.
www.972mag.com/gaza-freed-d...
Though overjoyed by their release in the ceasefire, Palestinians — blinded, beaten, and starved in Israeli jails — struggled to absorb unimaginable loss.
www.972mag.com/gaza-freed-d...
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
I’m frontpage today in Scotland
I filmed Israeli fan violence - Starmer is wrong
www.thenational.scot/news/2555223...
I filmed Israeli fan violence - Starmer is wrong
www.thenational.scot/news/2555223...
October 18, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I’m frontpage today in Scotland
I filmed Israeli fan violence - Starmer is wrong
www.thenational.scot/news/2555223...
I filmed Israeli fan violence - Starmer is wrong
www.thenational.scot/news/2555223...
Reposted by Lucy Seton-Watson
This is the heart-wrenching story of a man who is uniquely capable of leading peace negotiations and who, for this precise reason, is held hostage and tortured repeatedly for more than two decades by Israel. With the West's connivance, of course... www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti assaulted by Israeli prison guards, son says
Family fears for 66-year-old’s life after assault while he was being transferred between prisons
www.theguardian.com
October 17, 2025 at 8:25 AM
This is the heart-wrenching story of a man who is uniquely capable of leading peace negotiations and who, for this precise reason, is held hostage and tortured repeatedly for more than two decades by Israel. With the West's connivance, of course... www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Why does Starmer do this? It is so cackhanded. Maccabi are aggressive provocative thugs. Muslims do have some rights in Britain.
October 17, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Why does Starmer do this? It is so cackhanded. Maccabi are aggressive provocative thugs. Muslims do have some rights in Britain.