Tony Robertson
@socialliberaltony.bsky.social
Social Liberal, former leader of Sefton Borough Council, Parish Councils advocate, railways, cricket, cycling, trade unionist, atheist, Mansfield Town, Nottingham Forest, Isaac Hayes, soul music, smooth jazz, environmentalist, Frank Hornby Trust
Reposted by Tony Robertson
"Just ask yourself, would the BBC champion a presenter who was consistently asking robust questions about the effect of the recent Supreme Court judgment on trans rights? Or would they be more likely to champion someone who was clearly gender critical?"
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 11, 2025 at 11:06 AM
"Just ask yourself, would the BBC champion a presenter who was consistently asking robust questions about the effect of the recent Supreme Court judgment on trans rights? Or would they be more likely to champion someone who was clearly gender critical?"
Reposted by Tony Robertson
We’re seeing – and you’ve probably noticed it too – a new rise in Christian Nationalism. Make no mistake: these groups deny the legitimacy of same-sex marriage, twist Bible verses to excuse bigotry, take inspiration (and funding) from the US, and are working to roll back hard-won gay rights.
November 11, 2025 at 11:08 AM
We’re seeing – and you’ve probably noticed it too – a new rise in Christian Nationalism. Make no mistake: these groups deny the legitimacy of same-sex marriage, twist Bible verses to excuse bigotry, take inspiration (and funding) from the US, and are working to roll back hard-won gay rights.
Reposted by Tony Robertson
Oh look. There really are "no go areas" in England.
And they're marked by St George's flags
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
And they're marked by St George's flags
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 8:00 AM
Oh look. There really are "no go areas" in England.
And they're marked by St George's flags
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
And they're marked by St George's flags
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Tony Robertson
can't think of a headline that better sums up the BBC at present
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
BBC slammed for asking Kelvin Mackenzie about journalism standards
Liverpool fans and others staggered by choice to invite former S*n editor to discuss ongoing issues at the BBC
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 9:13 AM
can't think of a headline that better sums up the BBC at present
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
Reposted by Tony Robertson
The West Highland Extension from Fort William to Mallaig is a work of art, and one of those lines you have to do at some point! With cloud rolling off the hills, 37424 ‘Isle of Mull’ makes it look even better!
#Class37 #Tractor #WHL #WHLExtension #Scotrail
#Class37 #Tractor #WHL #WHLExtension #Scotrail
November 11, 2025 at 7:29 AM
The West Highland Extension from Fort William to Mallaig is a work of art, and one of those lines you have to do at some point! With cloud rolling off the hills, 37424 ‘Isle of Mull’ makes it look even better!
#Class37 #Tractor #WHL #WHLExtension #Scotrail
#Class37 #Tractor #WHL #WHLExtension #Scotrail
Reposted by Tony Robertson
The last Chancellor committed to tax simplification was Lawson. Brown, whatever his other virtues, started the current obsession with using detailed tax policy as a political tool. Osborne carried that to new heights and came unstuck. Reeves will do the same.
November 11, 2025 at 8:15 AM
The last Chancellor committed to tax simplification was Lawson. Brown, whatever his other virtues, started the current obsession with using detailed tax policy as a political tool. Osborne carried that to new heights and came unstuck. Reeves will do the same.
Reposted by Tony Robertson
Tell Reeves... Starmer... Labour...
Every poll, survey, opinion piece, research and documentary confirms the disaster that is Brexit. Immeasurable damage, economically, socially, scientifically, security, politically.
It is utter madness not to start reversing Brexit.
@labourlewis.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l0G...
It is utter madness not to start reversing Brexit.
@labourlewis.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l0G...
Top 10 UK Industries That Collapsed After Brexit
YouTube video by EconomyTalk
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Tell Reeves... Starmer... Labour...
Reposted by Tony Robertson
Iain Sinclair once referred to "the bat-chewed pinnacles" of St Pancras, which struck me as exactly right.
Old St Pancras church and its churchyard are well worth visiting if you have time to kill at the station. The Beatles went there on their Mad Day Out.
Old St Pancras church and its churchyard are well worth visiting if you have time to kill at the station. The Beatles went there on their Mad Day Out.
Jago Hazzard celebrates the gothic history of St Pancras
Jago Hazzard posted this, his thousandth video, a couple of weeks ago. And he found a fitting subject for it. Iain Sinclair once referred to...
liberalengland.blogspot.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Iain Sinclair once referred to "the bat-chewed pinnacles" of St Pancras, which struck me as exactly right.
Old St Pancras church and its churchyard are well worth visiting if you have time to kill at the station. The Beatles went there on their Mad Day Out.
Old St Pancras church and its churchyard are well worth visiting if you have time to kill at the station. The Beatles went there on their Mad Day Out.
Reposted by Tony Robertson
Journalist, "Farage accused the BBC of election interference"
Ed Davey, "The interference we've seen is from Farage's friend, Putin"
"We've seen Russian interference in the most appalling way"
Ed Davey, "The interference we've seen is from Farage's friend, Putin"
"We've seen Russian interference in the most appalling way"
November 10, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Journalist, "Farage accused the BBC of election interference"
Ed Davey, "The interference we've seen is from Farage's friend, Putin"
"We've seen Russian interference in the most appalling way"
Ed Davey, "The interference we've seen is from Farage's friend, Putin"
"We've seen Russian interference in the most appalling way"
Reposted by Tony Robertson
Voters want a Democratic Party that fights back against the forces that have rigged the system and made their lives more difficult.
A party that comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable —not a party that buckles and capitulates.
When will party leadership learn this lesson?
A party that comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable —not a party that buckles and capitulates.
When will party leadership learn this lesson?
November 10, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Voters want a Democratic Party that fights back against the forces that have rigged the system and made their lives more difficult.
A party that comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable —not a party that buckles and capitulates.
When will party leadership learn this lesson?
A party that comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable —not a party that buckles and capitulates.
When will party leadership learn this lesson?
Reposted by Tony Robertson
I do not understand the Labour government's reticence over defending the BBC and social media regulation. Their long-term survival basically depends on it. Their cowardice in the face of it may be the single thing they are most remembered for.
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
BBC faces ‘existential’ threat after exit of top executives
Broadcaster’s deepest crisis in recent history comes amid fresh questions over its future role in British society
on.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:35 AM
I do not understand the Labour government's reticence over defending the BBC and social media regulation. Their long-term survival basically depends on it. Their cowardice in the face of it may be the single thing they are most remembered for.
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
Saw a new Meccano set on sale at a major UK retailer & it made me wonder who makes it these days.
It's Canadian company Spin Master.
I wonder what Liverpool-born and world famous Maghull resident Frank Hornby would think of today's Meccano offerings nearly 90 years since his death?
It's Canadian company Spin Master.
I wonder what Liverpool-born and world famous Maghull resident Frank Hornby would think of today's Meccano offerings nearly 90 years since his death?
November 10, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Saw a new Meccano set on sale at a major UK retailer & it made me wonder who makes it these days.
It's Canadian company Spin Master.
I wonder what Liverpool-born and world famous Maghull resident Frank Hornby would think of today's Meccano offerings nearly 90 years since his death?
It's Canadian company Spin Master.
I wonder what Liverpool-born and world famous Maghull resident Frank Hornby would think of today's Meccano offerings nearly 90 years since his death?
@opsta81.bsky.social welcome to Bluesky
November 10, 2025 at 6:44 PM
@opsta81.bsky.social welcome to Bluesky
So Trump is threatening legal action against the BBC. I wish the rest of us had the resources to tackle them for platforming Farage day after day, after day, after day, after day, after day......
November 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
So Trump is threatening legal action against the BBC. I wish the rest of us had the resources to tackle them for platforming Farage day after day, after day, after day, after day, after day......
Reposted by Tony Robertson
Ed Davey about traitorous Putin's pet Farage: He is basically teaming up with Trump to criticize the BBC, it's shocking & unpatriotic. It shows he wants Trump's America, with his attacks on free media, coming to the UK.. election interference has come from Farage's friend... Putin.. #ukpolitics
November 10, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Ed Davey about traitorous Putin's pet Farage: He is basically teaming up with Trump to criticize the BBC, it's shocking & unpatriotic. It shows he wants Trump's America, with his attacks on free media, coming to the UK.. election interference has come from Farage's friend... Putin.. #ukpolitics
She does, but with a new credible BBC leadership of course. Also, Nandy seems to struggle with being in power. What happened to the energetic campaigner she was before Brexit. Her Wigan constituents voted heavily for it and she's never been the same since imho.
If only Fox News or GB News were held to even 100th of the standard that the BBC is expected to operate.
Nandy needs to offer full throated support for the organisation. I fear she won't.
Nandy needs to offer full throated support for the organisation. I fear she won't.
November 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
She does, but with a new credible BBC leadership of course. Also, Nandy seems to struggle with being in power. What happened to the energetic campaigner she was before Brexit. Her Wigan constituents voted heavily for it and she's never been the same since imho.
Reposted by Tony Robertson
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 Tony Robertson
Oh dearie me! How shocking?
Any ideas of just who, exactly, may have betrayed small business owners?
I guess we’ll never know.
Any ideas of just who, exactly, may have betrayed small business owners?
I guess we’ll never know.
November 10, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Oh dearie me! How shocking?
Any ideas of just who, exactly, may have betrayed small business owners?
I guess we’ll never know.
Any ideas of just who, exactly, may have betrayed small business owners?
I guess we’ll never know.
Reposted by Tony Robertson
This is notable in the light of Goodwin’s recent arguments on X that people from minority ethnic background are not British even if they were born and brought up here. I asked the Reform press office last week if they had a response to Goodwin’s views; silence so far.
November 10, 2025 at 1:48 PM
This is notable in the light of Goodwin’s recent arguments on X that people from minority ethnic background are not British even if they were born and brought up here. I asked the Reform press office last week if they had a response to Goodwin’s views; silence so far.
Yes indeed.....
When was the last time anyone at the BBC had to resign for misrepresenting a leftwinger?
November 10, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Yes indeed.....
Reposted by Tony Robertson
When was the last time anyone at the BBC had to resign for misrepresenting a leftwinger?
November 10, 2025 at 2:06 PM
When was the last time anyone at the BBC had to resign for misrepresenting a leftwinger?
Odd isn't it that the right took against the BBC for being too politically balanced but as the BBC moved to placate/appease them they continued hate it despite the news and current affairs output being usually right biased!
When Boris Johnson was Prime Minister one of his senior advisers confided to me that one of the only things in politics his boss actually cared about was “killing off the BBC”.
Five years on, and it is a campaign that appears to be finally coming to fruition.
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/10/t...
Five years on, and it is a campaign that appears to be finally coming to fruition.
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/10/t...
The BBC’s Attempts to Appease the 'Right-Wing Coup' Against It Are Now Seeding Its Own Destruction
By attempting to appease those forces seeking to destroy them, the BBC has helped trigger a crisis that now threatens its very future, argues Adam Bienkov
bylinetimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Odd isn't it that the right took against the BBC for being too politically balanced but as the BBC moved to placate/appease them they continued hate it despite the news and current affairs output being usually right biased!
'BBC chair apologises for 'error of judgement' over Trump speech edit in documentary' well yes, but how about an apology over the coverage of UK news in recent years where Farage is platformed over and over again whilst the Greens and Lib Denms are usually shut out?
November 10, 2025 at 1:35 PM
'BBC chair apologises for 'error of judgement' over Trump speech edit in documentary' well yes, but how about an apology over the coverage of UK news in recent years where Farage is platformed over and over again whilst the Greens and Lib Denms are usually shut out?