David Higham
@oldtrotter.bsky.social
Former economist and civil servant. Former (age related) national cycling champion. Still a music fan. Sewn up member of the Zipper Club.
Pinned
David Higham
@oldtrotter.bsky.social
· Jan 21
Beyond ‘Levelling up’: how to improve regional policy in England: 10 lessons from 20 years
‘Levelling-up’ as a political slogan in the UK may be finished, but a commitment to reducing regional inequalities remains, as highlighted in the 2024 Green Paper on Industrial Strategy. This paper...
www.tandfonline.com
A short summary of my thoughts on regional policy. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
I wish he’d sue them over Mrs Brown’s Boys. Now that would be a contribution towards a better world.
November 10, 2025 at 9:55 PM
I wish he’d sue them over Mrs Brown’s Boys. Now that would be a contribution towards a better world.
Reposted by David Higham
Musk is a deeply fragile character who wants more than anything to be admired and respected, even loved. His tragedy is that he has literally no idea how to achieve that. His curse is that everything he says or does fuels precisely the opposite outcome.
I think this one has got to him because he's posted at least three separate responses to this over the last 10 hours:
November 10, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Musk is a deeply fragile character who wants more than anything to be admired and respected, even loved. His tragedy is that he has literally no idea how to achieve that. His curse is that everything he says or does fuels precisely the opposite outcome.
Reposted by David Higham
“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 David Higham
Michael Prescott's report makes vital points about the importance of being accurate, and also how difficult that is. For instance, he describes himself as having been Political Editor of the Sunday Times for 10 years, which is not what the Guardian reported when he left the job.
November 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Michael Prescott's report makes vital points about the importance of being accurate, and also how difficult that is. For instance, he describes himself as having been Political Editor of the Sunday Times for 10 years, which is not what the Guardian reported when he left the job.
I didn't have Reform playing the populist card in relation to charging for premium car parking at the Trafford Centre. This is simply TC seeking to squeeze some of the consumer surplus out of its customers and nothing to do with "car crime". The TC has 10,000 free car parking spaces.
November 10, 2025 at 7:07 PM
I didn't have Reform playing the populist card in relation to charging for premium car parking at the Trafford Centre. This is simply TC seeking to squeeze some of the consumer surplus out of its customers and nothing to do with "car crime". The TC has 10,000 free car parking spaces.
Looks like he's planning to shake down the BBC as well Donald Trump threatens to sue BBC for $1bn over January 6 speech edit - on.ft.com/47yv0jR via @FT
Donald Trump threatens to sue BBC for $1bn over January 6 speech edit
Broadcaster’s chair admits ‘error of judgement’ over clip but hits out at memo that prompted bosses’ resignations
on.ft.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Looks like he's planning to shake down the BBC as well Donald Trump threatens to sue BBC for $1bn over January 6 speech edit - on.ft.com/47yv0jR via @FT
Reposted by David Higham
In shock news, it turns out that Brexit punched the UK economy in the face, much in the way that official forecasts in 2016 said it would punch the UK economy in the face, that were dismissed as nonsense by lying rightwing shills at the time.
Headline from a serious and long working paper on the economic impact of Brexit. Possible that this has been feeding into OBR and HMT discussions?
November 10, 2025 at 9:40 AM
In shock news, it turns out that Brexit punched the UK economy in the face, much in the way that official forecasts in 2016 said it would punch the UK economy in the face, that were dismissed as nonsense by lying rightwing shills at the time.
I’ve walked into a parallel universe where Farage of all people is accusing the BBC of bias and electoral interference. Yes, that’s the same Farage to whom the BBC has relentlessly given a platform.
November 10, 2025 at 1:39 PM
I’ve walked into a parallel universe where Farage of all people is accusing the BBC of bias and electoral interference. Yes, that’s the same Farage to whom the BBC has relentlessly given a platform.
Reposted by David Higham
In 'How They Broke Britain', I do a pretty good job of detailing the depth & breadth of Tufton Street/Tory/Murdoch/Mail attempts to scupper the BBC, even as I castigate some presenters for going too easy on precisely the people who seek the Corporation's abolition. But I should have done more. 1/2
November 10, 2025 at 9:23 AM
In 'How They Broke Britain', I do a pretty good job of detailing the depth & breadth of Tufton Street/Tory/Murdoch/Mail attempts to scupper the BBC, even as I castigate some presenters for going too easy on precisely the people who seek the Corporation's abolition. But I should have done more. 1/2
Reposted by David Higham
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 David Higham
"Friends of Robbie Gibb" told Nick Robinson that, while he thought there was a problem, he hdidn't see why Tim Davie had to resign. Which raises the amusing possibility that Davie literally just couldn't be fucked doing a job that required him to Robbie fucking Gibb all the time.
November 10, 2025 at 11:34 AM
"Friends of Robbie Gibb" told Nick Robinson that, while he thought there was a problem, he hdidn't see why Tim Davie had to resign. Which raises the amusing possibility that Davie literally just couldn't be fucked doing a job that required him to Robbie fucking Gibb all the time.
A grifter writes
November 10, 2025 at 12:44 PM
A grifter writes
Reposted by David Higham
Robbie Gibb once suggested that reporters should reflect if they were getting more retweets from one side than the other - a braindead analysis that ignores that fair and impartial reporting of education might get more Tory retweets than say, criminal justice.
Stephen really does have the best take on this. It’s not clear that the BBC Board or indeed the rest of the News team really understood the message of the previous reviews, which were about getting detail right. Instead they wanted to know what was ‘biased’ or not like they were blotting out stains.
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:
November 10, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Robbie Gibb once suggested that reporters should reflect if they were getting more retweets from one side than the other - a braindead analysis that ignores that fair and impartial reporting of education might get more Tory retweets than say, criminal justice.
Reposted by David Higham
Stephen really does have the best take on this. It’s not clear that the BBC Board or indeed the rest of the News team really understood the message of the previous reviews, which were about getting detail right. Instead they wanted to know what was ‘biased’ or not like they were blotting out stains.
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 10:20 AM
Stephen really does have the best take on this. It’s not clear that the BBC Board or indeed the rest of the News team really understood the message of the previous reviews, which were about getting detail right. Instead they wanted to know what was ‘biased’ or not like they were blotting out stains.
Reposted by David Higham
The BBC’s week from hell might look like accountability - but there is more than a whiff of orchestration about it all.
When the Telegraph cheers and Trump claps, you have to ask yourself:
Who, exactly, benefits when the Beeb bleeds?
When the Telegraph cheers and Trump claps, you have to ask yourself:
Who, exactly, benefits when the Beeb bleeds?
The Beeb Bleeds, the Telegraph Cheers, and Trump Claps From the Balcony
The people who always hated public broadcasting finally smell blood - and the BBC seems too tired and compromised to fight back.
www.bearlypolitics.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:46 AM
The BBC’s week from hell might look like accountability - but there is more than a whiff of orchestration about it all.
When the Telegraph cheers and Trump claps, you have to ask yourself:
Who, exactly, benefits when the Beeb bleeds?
When the Telegraph cheers and Trump claps, you have to ask yourself:
Who, exactly, benefits when the Beeb bleeds?
Less of the "in restropect" The state building more houses would certainly speed up delivery but the state also needs to capture more the increase in land values resulting from the granting of planning permission so that it can also provide cheaper housing.
November 10, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Less of the "in restropect" The state building more houses would certainly speed up delivery but the state also needs to capture more the increase in land values resulting from the granting of planning permission so that it can also provide cheaper housing.
Times Radio giving airtime to former Culture Secretary (which in itself an extraordinary thing) and now Reform supporting Nadine Dorres tells you exactly where their owner is coming from on the subject.
November 10, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Times Radio giving airtime to former Culture Secretary (which in itself an extraordinary thing) and now Reform supporting Nadine Dorres tells you exactly where their owner is coming from on the subject.
Reposted by David Higham
So make no mistake, this is a coordinated assault on one of the cornerstones of British civic life from people who want to weaken our democracy. Sadly, the BBC is so cowed it will actively abet them in its own destruction.
November 10, 2025 at 9:53 AM
So make no mistake, this is a coordinated assault on one of the cornerstones of British civic life from people who want to weaken our democracy. Sadly, the BBC is so cowed it will actively abet them in its own destruction.
Reposted by David Higham
The BBC simply is not a robust, independent institution.
Those who clap and cheer at these resignations are only having a short-term fillip - for this capitulation indicates a less-than-healthy wider polity.
Those who clap and cheer at these resignations are only having a short-term fillip - for this capitulation indicates a less-than-healthy wider polity.
November 10, 2025 at 7:59 AM
The BBC simply is not a robust, independent institution.
Those who clap and cheer at these resignations are only having a short-term fillip - for this capitulation indicates a less-than-healthy wider polity.
Those who clap and cheer at these resignations are only having a short-term fillip - for this capitulation indicates a less-than-healthy wider polity.
Reposted by David Higham
Losing both the director-general and the very obvious heir apparent as the result of such an orchestrated attack is truly existential stuff for the BBC.
It’s also a *massive* challenge for Lisa Nandy, who has so far failed to impress anyone as culture secretary.
It’s also a *massive* challenge for Lisa Nandy, who has so far failed to impress anyone as culture secretary.
November 9, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Losing both the director-general and the very obvious heir apparent as the result of such an orchestrated attack is truly existential stuff for the BBC.
It’s also a *massive* challenge for Lisa Nandy, who has so far failed to impress anyone as culture secretary.
It’s also a *massive* challenge for Lisa Nandy, who has so far failed to impress anyone as culture secretary.
My great uncle Peter on the left. In America when war broke out, returned to volunteer and was killed in his first battle on the Somme. Interred in a war cemetery in France. The inscription on the family grave in Atherton reads “His country called. He answered”
November 9, 2025 at 5:26 PM
My great uncle Peter on the left. In America when war broke out, returned to volunteer and was killed in his first battle on the Somme. Interred in a war cemetery in France. The inscription on the family grave in Atherton reads “His country called. He answered”
Since we’re doing poppy hysteria, a reminder of what happens when the needs of domestic politics and diplomacy conflict www.theguardian.com/politics/blo...
David Cameron should not have worn that poppy in China | Michael White
Michael White: Chinese officials apparently asked the UK delegation not to wear Remembrance Day poppies because they were a symbol of China's humiliation at the hands of Europe in the opium wars. To c...
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Since we’re doing poppy hysteria, a reminder of what happens when the needs of domestic politics and diplomacy conflict www.theguardian.com/politics/blo...
Reposted by David Higham
This latest defeat may exemplify a broader ecosystem/bubble problem for the right: so used now to preaching to the converted in media outlets and online that it struggles to understand how this language (the NT as run by or capitulating to "woke terrorists") might be received by the median member
November 9, 2025 at 11:32 AM
This latest defeat may exemplify a broader ecosystem/bubble problem for the right: so used now to preaching to the converted in media outlets and online that it struggles to understand how this language (the NT as run by or capitulating to "woke terrorists") might be received by the median member
Thought you’d find this interesting @owlernook.bsky.social www.peaksandpuddles.com/blog/2025/11...
Peak Forest Canal: vital towpath cycle route closed
A complete closure of the Peak Forest Canal towpath south of Marple is in place for many weeks ahead, blocking a vital safe route for cycling between
www.peaksandpuddles.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Thought you’d find this interesting @owlernook.bsky.social www.peaksandpuddles.com/blog/2025/11...