Andrew McRae
@mcraeandrew.bsky.social
English prof, Uni of Exeter. Prone to talk about UK politics, higher education policy, the 17th century, the excellence of English studies, & Aussie sports.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
The BBC claims to have “research” that supports its decision to use abusive transphobic terms for trans women.
But it will not share that “research”.
At the most basic level research is not research if it is not published.
It is just a lie. The BBC is lying.
But it will not share that “research”.
At the most basic level research is not research if it is not published.
It is just a lie. The BBC is lying.
January 25, 2026 at 8:52 AM
The BBC claims to have “research” that supports its decision to use abusive transphobic terms for trans women.
But it will not share that “research”.
At the most basic level research is not research if it is not published.
It is just a lie. The BBC is lying.
But it will not share that “research”.
At the most basic level research is not research if it is not published.
It is just a lie. The BBC is lying.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
Someone should ask Kemi Badenoch (or whichever Tory is up for Sunday shows) if the Tories’ proposed “removals force” with “sweeping new powers” will be modelled on ICE www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Tories to pledge to create immigration taskforce modelled on Trump’s Ice
Proposed ‘removals force’ will be tasked with deporting 150,000 people a year in bid to tackle illegal immigration
www.theguardian.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Someone should ask Kemi Badenoch (or whichever Tory is up for Sunday shows) if the Tories’ proposed “removals force” with “sweeping new powers” will be modelled on ICE www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
While the BBC is characteristically fussing over ‘sharply contradictory narratives’, the famously woke - ah - Economist is offering them a journalism lesson. 👏🏻
January 24, 2026 at 9:54 PM
While the BBC is characteristically fussing over ‘sharply contradictory narratives’, the famously woke - ah - Economist is offering them a journalism lesson. 👏🏻
Reposted by Andrew McRae
I have now watched the video of the execution today and it is absolutely horrifying. One cannot unsee it. You can clearly see in the video that an ICE agent fires multiple shots into the man *after* he is already shot and presumably dead. It was an execution in broad daylight by the Trump regime.
January 24, 2026 at 5:17 PM
I have now watched the video of the execution today and it is absolutely horrifying. One cannot unsee it. You can clearly see in the video that an ICE agent fires multiple shots into the man *after* he is already shot and presumably dead. It was an execution in broad daylight by the Trump regime.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
It would disproportionately affect LGBTQIA+ young people, who rely more heavily on the platforms to connect with other queer people
www.wearequeeraf.com/social-media...
www.wearequeeraf.com/social-media...
Social media ban is "reactionary measure" that will harm LGBTQIA+ youth, campaigners warn
It would disproportionately affect LGBTQIA+ young people, who rely more heavily on the platforms to connect with other queer people
www.wearequeeraf.com
January 24, 2026 at 9:03 AM
It would disproportionately affect LGBTQIA+ young people, who rely more heavily on the platforms to connect with other queer people
www.wearequeeraf.com/social-media...
www.wearequeeraf.com/social-media...
Reposted by Andrew McRae
All of the protagonists ruining life right now have like 47 children and are visibly insecure, miserable monsters desperately seeking and failing to fill a gaping void inside with power and cruelty toward others.
Maybe there's more to finding fulfilment than just spawning?
Maybe there's more to finding fulfilment than just spawning?
JD Vance: "To our fellow Americans we say, you're never gonna find great meaning in a cubicle or in front of a computer screen. But you will find great meaning if you dedicate yourself to the creation and sustenance of human life."
January 24, 2026 at 9:27 AM
All of the protagonists ruining life right now have like 47 children and are visibly insecure, miserable monsters desperately seeking and failing to fill a gaping void inside with power and cruelty toward others.
Maybe there's more to finding fulfilment than just spawning?
Maybe there's more to finding fulfilment than just spawning?
Reposted by Andrew McRae
I've done My Week: Donald Trump (again) for tomorrow. My first draft genuinely had a joke about Trump thinking there were penguins in Greenland but I took it out because it seemed too stupid.
January 23, 2026 at 11:17 PM
I've done My Week: Donald Trump (again) for tomorrow. My first draft genuinely had a joke about Trump thinking there were penguins in Greenland but I took it out because it seemed too stupid.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
I want to appreciate for a moment:
There’s a historic ice storm bearing down on a huge part of the country. And government workers are being told to downplay the ice—the most damaging part of the storm—bc they’re worried it might remind people of the government’s disastrous occupation in Minnesota
There’s a historic ice storm bearing down on a huge part of the country. And government workers are being told to downplay the ice—the most damaging part of the storm—bc they’re worried it might remind people of the government’s disastrous occupation in Minnesota
CNN: DHS officials have come to FEMA staff and told them to limit the use of the word ice…they are worried that by posting something like, watch out for the ice, that it's going to become a meme….
January 24, 2026 at 2:02 AM
I want to appreciate for a moment:
There’s a historic ice storm bearing down on a huge part of the country. And government workers are being told to downplay the ice—the most damaging part of the storm—bc they’re worried it might remind people of the government’s disastrous occupation in Minnesota
There’s a historic ice storm bearing down on a huge part of the country. And government workers are being told to downplay the ice—the most damaging part of the storm—bc they’re worried it might remind people of the government’s disastrous occupation in Minnesota
Reposted by Andrew McRae
Homophobia ALWAYS follows transphobia
January 24, 2026 at 3:09 AM
Homophobia ALWAYS follows transphobia
Reposted by Andrew McRae
In case you missed it: My suggestion that Farage was whispering to Trump behind the scenes while Trump was going after Greenland has been essentially confirmed.
As @jamesdaustin.bsky.social notes: Working against your country's interest with a semi-hostile state - there's a word for that.
As @jamesdaustin.bsky.social notes: Working against your country's interest with a semi-hostile state - there's a word for that.
January 24, 2026 at 7:40 AM
In case you missed it: My suggestion that Farage was whispering to Trump behind the scenes while Trump was going after Greenland has been essentially confirmed.
As @jamesdaustin.bsky.social notes: Working against your country's interest with a semi-hostile state - there's a word for that.
As @jamesdaustin.bsky.social notes: Working against your country's interest with a semi-hostile state - there's a word for that.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
@financialtimes.com reporting on graduate labour market conditions has been far better than most: It observes that economic uncertainty is affecting all new labour market entrants, but it’s still tougher for those without a degree. It’s also far more nuanced on sector- & role-specific impacts of AI.
January 23, 2026 at 10:19 AM
@financialtimes.com reporting on graduate labour market conditions has been far better than most: It observes that economic uncertainty is affecting all new labour market entrants, but it’s still tougher for those without a degree. It’s also far more nuanced on sector- & role-specific impacts of AI.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
Signs about the history of slavery in the U.S. and the 9 people George Washington enslaved are being removed right now at the President’s House Site in Philadelphia, across from Independence Hall, months after the Trump administration threatend to do so.
How far we have not come in 250 years.
How far we have not come in 250 years.
January 22, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Signs about the history of slavery in the U.S. and the 9 people George Washington enslaved are being removed right now at the President’s House Site in Philadelphia, across from Independence Hall, months after the Trump administration threatend to do so.
How far we have not come in 250 years.
How far we have not come in 250 years.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
📢JOYCE YOUINGS LECTURE 2025-26 IS NEXT WEEK📢
Prof. Jane Whittle: Work & gender, status & power: the surprising history of everyday chores in early modern England
🗓️ 28 January, 3pm, followed by drinks reception
📍 Uni of Exeter & Zoom
🗃️ All welcome, register here:
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-joyce-...
Prof. Jane Whittle: Work & gender, status & power: the surprising history of everyday chores in early modern England
🗓️ 28 January, 3pm, followed by drinks reception
📍 Uni of Exeter & Zoom
🗃️ All welcome, register here:
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-joyce-...
The Joyce Youings Memorial Lecture 2025-6: Professor Jane Whittle
Work and gender, status and power: the surprising history of everyday chores in early modern England.
www.eventbrite.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:20 AM
📢JOYCE YOUINGS LECTURE 2025-26 IS NEXT WEEK📢
Prof. Jane Whittle: Work & gender, status & power: the surprising history of everyday chores in early modern England
🗓️ 28 January, 3pm, followed by drinks reception
📍 Uni of Exeter & Zoom
🗃️ All welcome, register here:
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-joyce-...
Prof. Jane Whittle: Work & gender, status & power: the surprising history of everyday chores in early modern England
🗓️ 28 January, 3pm, followed by drinks reception
📍 Uni of Exeter & Zoom
🗃️ All welcome, register here:
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-joyce-...
Reposted by Andrew McRae
🧵 @jburnmurdoch.ft.com is spot on about the conditions in his FT piece. Liberal democracy held it together thanks to growth, good demographics, and the promise of a better future. Those days are gone, and that’s the "why" behind the erosion. However...
Democratic politicians have, though, pursued growth in GDP at the expense of other values. One response to @jburnmurdoch.ft.com pessimistic scenario is refocus on those values, combined with egalitarianism, sufficiency and quality of life. Not "it's the economy, stupid" but "it's the the society"
Is liberal democracy in terminal decline?
The old system worked under a set of conditions that are no longer present
www.ft.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:07 AM
🧵 @jburnmurdoch.ft.com is spot on about the conditions in his FT piece. Liberal democracy held it together thanks to growth, good demographics, and the promise of a better future. Those days are gone, and that’s the "why" behind the erosion. However...
#r4today this morning exploding the myth that parents possess special knowledge. Not sure that was their intention, but it’s a start.
Not surprising children are on social media when they are surrounded by such dim adults #r4today
January 23, 2026 at 7:45 AM
#r4today this morning exploding the myth that parents possess special knowledge. Not sure that was their intention, but it’s a start.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
Trump’s Board of Peace logo is basically the UN logo, except dipped in gold and edited so the world only includes America.
January 22, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Trump’s Board of Peace logo is basically the UN logo, except dipped in gold and edited so the world only includes America.
Reposted by Andrew McRae
The New World asked me to speak to some British trans women about what life has been like for them over the past few years - here's what they had to say, in their own words: www.thenewworld.co.uk/marie-le-con...
January 21, 2026 at 9:38 AM
The New World asked me to speak to some British trans women about what life has been like for them over the past few years - here's what they had to say, in their own words: www.thenewworld.co.uk/marie-le-con...
Reposted by Andrew McRae
After one day of unity over Trump the Mail, the Telegraph, Times and Badenoch have decided the Chagos are more important than the destruction of the western alliance and backed the insane ramblings of a rogue president who was fine with the deal last year. We see you #collaborators
Choosing sides between a rogue president bent on destroying the Western alliance and UK and EU governments finally standing up to him shouldn’t be difficult for mainstream political parties or news organisations. So come on Telegraph, Times, Badenoch and yes you Farage if you want to be PM…
January 21, 2026 at 6:21 AM
After one day of unity over Trump the Mail, the Telegraph, Times and Badenoch have decided the Chagos are more important than the destruction of the western alliance and backed the insane ramblings of a rogue president who was fine with the deal last year. We see you #collaborators
Reposted by Andrew McRae
This is a truly horrifying account of increasingly likely collapse of essential natural systems which would bring mass food shortages, price rises & global disorder. Commissioned from UK intelligence chiefs but scandalously suppressed by Govt, & sneaked out now while attention is elsewhere 👇
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
January 20, 2026 at 9:48 PM
This is a truly horrifying account of increasingly likely collapse of essential natural systems which would bring mass food shortages, price rises & global disorder. Commissioned from UK intelligence chiefs but scandalously suppressed by Govt, & sneaked out now while attention is elsewhere 👇
Reposted by Andrew McRae
Man been a really bad day for BBC reporters live updates.
This rubbish and Henry Zeffman saying Chagos deal quote was only embarrassing to Starmer
But no coverage on an excellent speech by Mark Carney (NATO ally and neighbour of USA) correctly pointing out that the world order is rapidly imploding
This rubbish and Henry Zeffman saying Chagos deal quote was only embarrassing to Starmer
But no coverage on an excellent speech by Mark Carney (NATO ally and neighbour of USA) correctly pointing out that the world order is rapidly imploding
January 20, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Man been a really bad day for BBC reporters live updates.
This rubbish and Henry Zeffman saying Chagos deal quote was only embarrassing to Starmer
But no coverage on an excellent speech by Mark Carney (NATO ally and neighbour of USA) correctly pointing out that the world order is rapidly imploding
This rubbish and Henry Zeffman saying Chagos deal quote was only embarrassing to Starmer
But no coverage on an excellent speech by Mark Carney (NATO ally and neighbour of USA) correctly pointing out that the world order is rapidly imploding
Reposted by Andrew McRae
Left: Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, tells the UK parliament, "All men are created equal.. Every person has dignity and value.. We built an entire nation on that premise"
Right: RawStory, "ICE forces showering citizen outside into freezing weather in his underwear"
Right: RawStory, "ICE forces showering citizen outside into freezing weather in his underwear"
January 20, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Left: Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, tells the UK parliament, "All men are created equal.. Every person has dignity and value.. We built an entire nation on that premise"
Right: RawStory, "ICE forces showering citizen outside into freezing weather in his underwear"
Right: RawStory, "ICE forces showering citizen outside into freezing weather in his underwear"
Reposted by Andrew McRae
Left: Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, talking about liberty and freedom in the US in the UK parliament
Right: ICE agents attacking a dancing fox
Right: ICE agents attacking a dancing fox
January 20, 2026 at 10:48 AM
Left: Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, talking about liberty and freedom in the US in the UK parliament
Right: ICE agents attacking a dancing fox
Right: ICE agents attacking a dancing fox
Reposted by Andrew McRae
In any other context, requiring a high-productivity sector to offshore the production of its highest value-added exports would be seen as the economic illiteracy it so obviously is...
www.ft.com/content/a23c...
www.ft.com/content/a23c...
UK drops target for international student recruitment
Government to encourage education providers to open campuses overseas as it focuses on reducing migration
www.ft.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:01 AM
In any other context, requiring a high-productivity sector to offshore the production of its highest value-added exports would be seen as the economic illiteracy it so obviously is...
www.ft.com/content/a23c...
www.ft.com/content/a23c...