Philip Stephens
@philipstephens.bsky.social
Writer, historian, Contrib Ed, FT, Robert Bosch Fellow, Berlin, author These Divided Isles, and Britain Alone (both Faber), British, Irish and European. philipstephens.substack.com, philipstephens.net
Pinned
The book I always wanted to write. How Partition turned the Irish Question in British politics into the British Question in Irish politics. And the extraordinary mix of enmity and intimacy that finally mapped a path to a different future. Now open for advance orders:
linktr.ee/thesedivided...
linktr.ee/thesedivided...
Reposted by Philip Stephens
This Government has introduced free breakfast clubs, additional free childcare hours and increased the minimum wage, it'll be great news if they remove the 2 child cap but let's not pretend they've done nothing for the less well off.
November 10, 2025 at 4:47 PM
This Government has introduced free breakfast clubs, additional free childcare hours and increased the minimum wage, it'll be great news if they remove the 2 child cap but let's not pretend they've done nothing for the less well off.
“I feel like they’ve destroyed all my pride in being an Israeli – in being an IDF officer.....All that’s left is shame.”
Israeli soldiers speak out as eye witnesses to IDF's indiscriminate killing of civilians in Gaza....
Breaking Ranks, showing ITV 22.45 Nov 10.
Israeli soldiers speak out as eye witnesses to IDF's indiscriminate killing of civilians in Gaza....
Breaking Ranks, showing ITV 22.45 Nov 10.
November 10, 2025 at 3:15 PM
“I feel like they’ve destroyed all my pride in being an Israeli – in being an IDF officer.....All that’s left is shame.”
Israeli soldiers speak out as eye witnesses to IDF's indiscriminate killing of civilians in Gaza....
Breaking Ranks, showing ITV 22.45 Nov 10.
Israeli soldiers speak out as eye witnesses to IDF's indiscriminate killing of civilians in Gaza....
Breaking Ranks, showing ITV 22.45 Nov 10.
Tim Davie was not a good BBC DG …far too eager too play populist tunes in the cause of audience “reach” and to cut resources for news and current affairs reporting rather than peripheral programming …BUT….
November 10, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Tim Davie was not a good BBC DG …far too eager too play populist tunes in the cause of audience “reach” and to cut resources for news and current affairs reporting rather than peripheral programming …BUT….
Reposted by Philip Stephens
Some interesting ideas in here, counterbalancing the pervading sense of inevitability that in the end only helps the very people it is directed against.
Peak Everything? My latest on whether we have passed peak Trump, peak stocks, peak populism and peak Farage, plus how to fight back against ethno-nationalists
Peak Everything
Thoughts on whether we have passed peak Trump, peak stocks, peak populism and peak Farage plus how to fight back against the ethno-nationalists
open.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Some interesting ideas in here, counterbalancing the pervading sense of inevitability that in the end only helps the very people it is directed against.
Michael Prescott so-called “independent” adviser to BBC was appointed by Boris johnson as “independent” adviser to Ofcom when then PM trying to get Paul Dacre job of chair. Prescott BBC report classic example in stringing together unrelated incidents into conspiracy narrative’
November 10, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Michael Prescott so-called “independent” adviser to BBC was appointed by Boris johnson as “independent” adviser to Ofcom when then PM trying to get Paul Dacre job of chair. Prescott BBC report classic example in stringing together unrelated incidents into conspiracy narrative’
Member of Kemi Badenoch’ s shadow cabinet …is it really something you would want on your cv? Suppose it beats member of Liz Truss’ cabinet
November 9, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Member of Kemi Badenoch’ s shadow cabinet …is it really something you would want on your cv? Suppose it beats member of Liz Truss’ cabinet
They let her out for the day?
November 9, 2025 at 10:00 PM
They let her out for the day?
Reposted by Philip Stephens
La soif de liberté est plus forte que les dictatures:
il y a 36 ans, dans la soirée du 9 novembre 1989, le Mur de Berlin tombait.
N’oublions pas ce qu’il était.
There was once a Wall in Berlin #LestWeForget
il y a 36 ans, dans la soirée du 9 novembre 1989, le Mur de Berlin tombait.
N’oublions pas ce qu’il était.
There was once a Wall in Berlin #LestWeForget
November 9, 2025 at 9:51 PM
La soif de liberté est plus forte que les dictatures:
il y a 36 ans, dans la soirée du 9 novembre 1989, le Mur de Berlin tombait.
N’oublions pas ce qu’il était.
There was once a Wall in Berlin #LestWeForget
il y a 36 ans, dans la soirée du 9 novembre 1989, le Mur de Berlin tombait.
N’oublions pas ce qu’il était.
There was once a Wall in Berlin #LestWeForget
Fair to say appeasement tested to destruction....
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 9:07 PM
Fair to say appeasement tested to destruction....
Mischon de Reya senior partner James Libson bleats in Times that is just so unfair that high-paid City lawyers should be asked to pay same taxes as everyone else when they already face an increase in private school fees for their children....You have to feel for him.....
November 9, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Mischon de Reya senior partner James Libson bleats in Times that is just so unfair that high-paid City lawyers should be asked to pay same taxes as everyone else when they already face an increase in private school fees for their children....You have to feel for him.....
Reminded of the day sitting next to someone on tube who started reading one of my columns in FT...warm glow became icy range when he turned the page after para 3...
November 8, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Reminded of the day sitting next to someone on tube who started reading one of my columns in FT...warm glow became icy range when he turned the page after para 3...
Reposted by Philip Stephens
It’s like Robbie Gibb showing up at Black Country New Road gig to tell people they aren’t sufficiently concerned about small boats.
November 8, 2025 at 10:12 AM
It’s like Robbie Gibb showing up at Black Country New Road gig to tell people they aren’t sufficiently concerned about small boats.
Reposted by Philip Stephens
*Again* the top story on BBC 6 music is about immigration
How is Shabana Mahmood wanting to introduce a ‘Danish style’ system for refugees the top story this morning?!?
The obsession of 6 Music news on immigration and asylum is frankly bizarre
How is Shabana Mahmood wanting to introduce a ‘Danish style’ system for refugees the top story this morning?!?
The obsession of 6 Music news on immigration and asylum is frankly bizarre
November 8, 2025 at 9:34 AM
*Again* the top story on BBC 6 music is about immigration
How is Shabana Mahmood wanting to introduce a ‘Danish style’ system for refugees the top story this morning?!?
The obsession of 6 Music news on immigration and asylum is frankly bizarre
How is Shabana Mahmood wanting to introduce a ‘Danish style’ system for refugees the top story this morning?!?
The obsession of 6 Music news on immigration and asylum is frankly bizarre
Reposted by Philip Stephens
I expect GB News hysterically yelling to start rioting, Farage on every news channel moaning that Britain is broken, Mo Yusuf on Newsnight apologising for wrongly thinking only asylum seekers are sexual offenders, and Pochin leading a national inquiry into white people are child sex offenders.
November 7, 2025 at 6:10 PM
I expect GB News hysterically yelling to start rioting, Farage on every news channel moaning that Britain is broken, Mo Yusuf on Newsnight apologising for wrongly thinking only asylum seekers are sexual offenders, and Pochin leading a national inquiry into white people are child sex offenders.
A great story showing the vital role of local journalism - the more so in an age where Tim Davie's BBC has abandoned serious inquiry in quest for populist clickbait. And crushing indictment of City shyster described by judge as follows: "I do not consider him [Milne] to be an honest or credible man"
We’ve made this investigation free to read because so many people in Sheffield are affected by this story.
Our journalists have been knocking on doors for weeks and we’ve had to employ lawyers because of the legal threats made against us.
We can only do this kind of journalism with your support.
Our journalists have been knocking on doors for weeks and we’ve had to employ lawyers because of the legal threats made against us.
We can only do this kind of journalism with your support.
“It broke my heart, that was my savings towards a new car,” one woman who paid Milne tens of thousands of pounds told us. “He has just wiped me out.”
Who is Andrew Milne - the solicitor sending "very aggressive" letters to Sheffield homeowners?
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
Who is Andrew Milne - the solicitor sending "very aggressive" letters to Sheffield homeowners?
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 PM
A great story showing the vital role of local journalism - the more so in an age where Tim Davie's BBC has abandoned serious inquiry in quest for populist clickbait. And crushing indictment of City shyster described by judge as follows: "I do not consider him [Milne] to be an honest or credible man"
Reposted by Philip Stephens
We’ve made this investigation free to read because so many people in Sheffield are affected by this story.
Our journalists have been knocking on doors for weeks and we’ve had to employ lawyers because of the legal threats made against us.
We can only do this kind of journalism with your support.
Our journalists have been knocking on doors for weeks and we’ve had to employ lawyers because of the legal threats made against us.
We can only do this kind of journalism with your support.
“It broke my heart, that was my savings towards a new car,” one woman who paid Milne tens of thousands of pounds told us. “He has just wiped me out.”
Who is Andrew Milne - the solicitor sending "very aggressive" letters to Sheffield homeowners?
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
Who is Andrew Milne - the solicitor sending "very aggressive" letters to Sheffield homeowners?
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
A London lawyer bought hundreds of Sheffield freeholds. Then the ‘very aggressive’ letters arrived
Exclusive: The Tribune can reveal that Andrew Milne has threatened leaseholders with high court action. It ‘broke my heart’ one woman says
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 7:54 PM
We’ve made this investigation free to read because so many people in Sheffield are affected by this story.
Our journalists have been knocking on doors for weeks and we’ve had to employ lawyers because of the legal threats made against us.
We can only do this kind of journalism with your support.
Our journalists have been knocking on doors for weeks and we’ve had to employ lawyers because of the legal threats made against us.
We can only do this kind of journalism with your support.
Reposted by Philip Stephens
Reposted by Philip Stephens
BBC News bulletins leading on the story of an Algerian man being mistakenly released by the prison service.
Funnily enough I don't remember these cases ever leading the bulletins when an average of ten prisoners were mistakenly released a month in the final year of the last Government
Funnily enough I don't remember these cases ever leading the bulletins when an average of ten prisoners were mistakenly released a month in the final year of the last Government
November 5, 2025 at 2:55 PM
BBC News bulletins leading on the story of an Algerian man being mistakenly released by the prison service.
Funnily enough I don't remember these cases ever leading the bulletins when an average of ten prisoners were mistakenly released a month in the final year of the last Government
Funnily enough I don't remember these cases ever leading the bulletins when an average of ten prisoners were mistakenly released a month in the final year of the last Government
Reposted by Philip Stephens
This is a question I've been asking a lot of the BBC political coverage in recent months. I love the BBC and would pay the licence fee for Radio 4 alone, but I do appreciate balance and fairness too please.
For as many years as anyone been counting two or more inmates been mistakenly released from British prisons most weeks. Record does not make it acceptable. System needs to be fixed. It does leave me asking why BBC now gripped by end-of-civilisation hysteria heard on Radio 4 Today programme.
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
This is a question I've been asking a lot of the BBC political coverage in recent months. I love the BBC and would pay the licence fee for Radio 4 alone, but I do appreciate balance and fairness too please.
Reposted by Philip Stephens
Been a lot of 'suddenly realising' going on since the Tories left power.
14 years of see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
Also, the 'suddenly realising' seemingly only applies to foreign prisoners.
14 years of see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
Also, the 'suddenly realising' seemingly only applies to foreign prisoners.
For as many years as anyone been counting two or more inmates been mistakenly released from British prisons most weeks. Record does not make it acceptable. System needs to be fixed. It does leave me asking why BBC now gripped by end-of-civilisation hysteria heard on Radio 4 Today programme.
November 6, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Been a lot of 'suddenly realising' going on since the Tories left power.
14 years of see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
Also, the 'suddenly realising' seemingly only applies to foreign prisoners.
14 years of see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
Also, the 'suddenly realising' seemingly only applies to foreign prisoners.
Reposted by Philip Stephens
I turned it off - ridiculous manufactured outrage and then they took a swipe at the justice minister buying a suit on the day ( how did they know, why was it relevant?) that someone else was released erroneously. Daily Mail tone not appropriate for the BBC flagship news programme
November 6, 2025 at 12:08 PM
I turned it off - ridiculous manufactured outrage and then they took a swipe at the justice minister buying a suit on the day ( how did they know, why was it relevant?) that someone else was released erroneously. Daily Mail tone not appropriate for the BBC flagship news programme
Reposted by Philip Stephens
Agree but that’s what Radio 4 Today is like
For as many years as anyone been counting two or more inmates been mistakenly released from British prisons most weeks. Record does not make it acceptable. System needs to be fixed. It does leave me asking why BBC now gripped by end-of-civilisation hysteria heard on Radio 4 Today programme.
November 6, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Agree but that’s what Radio 4 Today is like
Reposted by Philip Stephens
This requires Europe to assume greater security responsibility and significantly increase defence investment, allowing the US to maintain engagement in a less dominant role while focusing on its strategic priorities.
November 6, 2025 at 10:52 AM
This requires Europe to assume greater security responsibility and significantly increase defence investment, allowing the US to maintain engagement in a less dominant role while focusing on its strategic priorities.
For as many years as anyone been counting two or more inmates been mistakenly released from British prisons most weeks. Record does not make it acceptable. System needs to be fixed. It does leave me asking why BBC now gripped by end-of-civilisation hysteria heard on Radio 4 Today programme.
November 6, 2025 at 10:52 AM
For as many years as anyone been counting two or more inmates been mistakenly released from British prisons most weeks. Record does not make it acceptable. System needs to be fixed. It does leave me asking why BBC now gripped by end-of-civilisation hysteria heard on Radio 4 Today programme.
Reposted by Philip Stephens
I don’t do book reviews very often, but @sjamcbride.bsky.social and @fotoole.bsky.social’s essays are one of very few intellectually and politically generous treatments of the #UnitedIreland question to date, while @philipstephens.bsky.social #OurDividedIsles provides rich historical context…
Review: Constitutional change in Ireland will likely be evolutionary, not revolutionary or violent…
Now does my project gather to a head. My charms crack not, my spirits obey, and time Goes upright with his carriage.—How’s the day? Prospero, Act 5, Scene 1 FOR AND AGAINST A UNITED IRELAND by Finta...
sluggerotoole.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:41 AM
I don’t do book reviews very often, but @sjamcbride.bsky.social and @fotoole.bsky.social’s essays are one of very few intellectually and politically generous treatments of the #UnitedIreland question to date, while @philipstephens.bsky.social #OurDividedIsles provides rich historical context…