Steve Whalley
@whalleysteve.bsky.social
Love to visit the far corners of Britain (Spain, Italy, France) in search of good food, wine, pubs & countryside: It's all geographical, often meteorological and sometimes political.
You may wish to email your MP to make sure that they have the facts about the threat of private finance in our NHS. Take one minute to be part of keeping private finance - in all its forms - out of our NHS: weownit.org.uk/act-now/emai...
Email your MP - give them the facts about new NHS private finance
weownit.org.uk
November 11, 2025 at 12:07 AM
You may wish to email your MP to make sure that they have the facts about the threat of private finance in our NHS. Take one minute to be part of keeping private finance - in all its forms - out of our NHS: weownit.org.uk/act-now/emai...
This was actually broadcast. It's not a parody.
Why can't the BBC just be more impartial towards President Trump, like GB News, says Nigel Farage.
GB News:
GB News:
November 11, 2025 at 12:06 AM
This was actually broadcast. It's not a parody.
"Here’s what you won’t find splashed across The (Torygraph): in 2025 alone, the paper has been forced to publish (114) corrections, clarifications, and formal regulatory apologies... The BBC has (made only) 33 corrections to its coverage overall this year – despite its dramatically (larger) output."
It takes an obscene amount of hubris to lecture the BBC when you have The Telegraph’s record on truth-telling.
Some of the paper’s errors this year are so bad they’re almost laughable 👇🏻
Some of the paper’s errors this year are so bad they’re almost laughable 👇🏻
The Telegraph’s BBC hypocrisy
A paper that knows a thing or two about editorial f*ck-ups...
writesbright.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:41 PM
"Here’s what you won’t find splashed across The (Torygraph): in 2025 alone, the paper has been forced to publish (114) corrections, clarifications, and formal regulatory apologies... The BBC has (made only) 33 corrections to its coverage overall this year – despite its dramatically (larger) output."
Here's an opportunity to impress Lisa Nandy - and it's an important one.
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 10, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Here's an opportunity to impress Lisa Nandy - and it's an important one.
The government and BBC Board need to be wide awake at this time. Multi-billionaires are buying the country, our data, and our compliance. Be aware, be scared, and resist.
This is the most abysmal, pathetic thing. The BBC head resigning because the corporation is not supine *enough* to the far-right.
🔴 Breaking I Davie faced mounting criticism that a Panorama documentary misled viewers by editing a speech by Donald Trump
➡️ Read more: trib.al/I0iw7aP
➡️ Read more: trib.al/I0iw7aP
November 9, 2025 at 10:28 PM
The government and BBC Board need to be wide awake at this time. Multi-billionaires are buying the country, our data, and our compliance. Be aware, be scared, and resist.
The week ahead in #Darwen #Lancashire: Frequent showers or longer periods of rain. Mild at first, colder later...
MON 12°C Sunny spells→ Showers
TUE 13°C Light rain
WED 13°C ↑Showers
THU 13°C Patchy rain
FRI 10°C Rainy
SAT 9°C Some rain
Week after: Colder
MON 12°C Sunny spells→ Showers
TUE 13°C Light rain
WED 13°C ↑Showers
THU 13°C Patchy rain
FRI 10°C Rainy
SAT 9°C Some rain
Week after: Colder
A long way off and all the ingredients need to come into place but we could be seeing a colder-than-average spell in 7-10 days' time with air from the Arctic.
Snow possible on northern hills/mountains.
Snow possible on northern hills/mountains.
November 9, 2025 at 1:39 PM
The week ahead in #Darwen #Lancashire: Frequent showers or longer periods of rain. Mild at first, colder later...
MON 12°C Sunny spells→ Showers
TUE 13°C Light rain
WED 13°C ↑Showers
THU 13°C Patchy rain
FRI 10°C Rainy
SAT 9°C Some rain
Week after: Colder
MON 12°C Sunny spells→ Showers
TUE 13°C Light rain
WED 13°C ↑Showers
THU 13°C Patchy rain
FRI 10°C Rainy
SAT 9°C Some rain
Week after: Colder
Sad to hear of the passing of one of the finest ever motoring journalists and Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson. His pieces were always clever & captivating: far better than that other guy.
Former Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson dies aged 68
Former Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson dies aged 68
Motoring journalist created and fronted shows including Fifth Gear, Britain’s Worst Driver and The Car’s the Star
The former Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson has died after a short illness, his family said on Saturday. He was 68.
The television presenter and motoring journalist died “peacefully surrounded by his family”, a statement said. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Sad to hear of the passing of one of the finest ever motoring journalists and Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson. His pieces were always clever & captivating: far better than that other guy.
The Labour govt introduced the SDS40 scheme, which allows eligible inmates to be released after serving 40% of their sentences. It was introduced because our prisons are 99% full, & our courts have a backlog of 439,000 cases. We shouldn't be surprised that prison staff have failed to manage it well.
As a corollary to recent wrongful releases from prison, it is worth noting that as of June 2025, there were 22,980 prison officers in England and Wales, a 3% decrease since March 2023. Only half of those officers had been in role for 5+ years. In 2015, 90% had a length of service of 5+ years
November 7, 2025 at 1:56 PM
The Labour govt introduced the SDS40 scheme, which allows eligible inmates to be released after serving 40% of their sentences. It was introduced because our prisons are 99% full, & our courts have a backlog of 439,000 cases. We shouldn't be surprised that prison staff have failed to manage it well.
As a corollary to recent wrongful releases from prison, it is worth noting that as of June 2025, there were 22,980 prison officers in England and Wales, a 3% decrease since March 2023. Only half of those officers had been in role for 5+ years. In 2015, 90% had a length of service of 5+ years
November 7, 2025 at 1:29 PM
As a corollary to recent wrongful releases from prison, it is worth noting that as of June 2025, there were 22,980 prison officers in England and Wales, a 3% decrease since March 2023. Only half of those officers had been in role for 5+ years. In 2015, 90% had a length of service of 5+ years
It's obviously very mild (even warm at times) in #Darwen #Lancashire this week. Since Tuesday the daily minimum temperature has been 11.2°C and the daily maximum 14.4°C (on Bonfire Night).
November 7, 2025 at 12:17 AM
It's obviously very mild (even warm at times) in #Darwen #Lancashire this week. Since Tuesday the daily minimum temperature has been 11.2°C and the daily maximum 14.4°C (on Bonfire Night).
9 years after series 1, John le Carré's excellent #TheNightManager season 2 finally returns to BBC1 sometime fairly soon.
www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/nig...
www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/nig...
The Night Manager season 2 finally reveals first-look images as Tom Hiddleston returns with new stars – but who isn't returning?
We've been waiting for almost 10 years, but Jonathan Pine is (almost) finally back.
www.radiotimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:00 AM
9 years after series 1, John le Carré's excellent #TheNightManager season 2 finally returns to BBC1 sometime fairly soon.
www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/nig...
www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/nig...
Are we surprised?
Court convicts two donors for illegally diverting £100k to Eurosceptic think tank run by Nigel Farage's girlfriend.
November 6, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Are we surprised?
#Lancashire’s Reform-run council plans to save £4m a year by closing five council-run care homes and five day centres. Meanwhile, Reform’s cabinet member for social care in Lancashire owns a private care company with his wife. Enough said.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Lancashire’s Reform-run council plans to close care homes and day centres
Questions about potential conflict of interest as council’s cabinet member for social care owns private care company
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:49 PM
#Lancashire’s Reform-run council plans to save £4m a year by closing five council-run care homes and five day centres. Meanwhile, Reform’s cabinet member for social care in Lancashire owns a private care company with his wife. Enough said.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Even now, only 385 of 492 eligible claimants have had their claims fully settled. 92 year old Mrs Brown was forced out of her County Durham Post Office in 2003. Surely, these protracted settlements are in contempt of court in some way.
Amazing news for ex- postmaster 92 year old Betty Brown - FINALLY she has been awarded close to 100% of financial redress after losing £50k thro Post Office Horizon IT scandal
We’ve followed her story on #Newsnight & she wanted to be live on the show tonight so that’s what’s happening :)
We’ve followed her story on #Newsnight & she wanted to be live on the show tonight so that’s what’s happening :)
November 5, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Even now, only 385 of 492 eligible claimants have had their claims fully settled. 92 year old Mrs Brown was forced out of her County Durham Post Office in 2003. Surely, these protracted settlements are in contempt of court in some way.
Farage wants the poorest young people to earn less than £10 an hour while calling for tax cuts for “young professionals” earning more than £100,000 a year. As with all things, he's got it fesses avant le nez.
Nigel Farage's hypocrisy exposed during PMQs. 🚨
Farage has earned more than £1.1 million through second jobs since the General Election, but he calls for cuts to the minimum wage for young people.
Unbelievable.
Farage has earned more than £1.1 million through second jobs since the General Election, but he calls for cuts to the minimum wage for young people.
Unbelievable.
November 5, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Farage wants the poorest young people to earn less than £10 an hour while calling for tax cuts for “young professionals” earning more than £100,000 a year. As with all things, he's got it fesses avant le nez.
Well, if it was already brilliant, I'm not quite sure what heights have been reached by BBC1's #RiotWomen episode 4. Shocking and dark yet still managing to remain warm, funny and authentic. The cast, writer and production crew are an exceptional team.
Sally Wainwright's #RiotWomen on BBC1 continues to impress and enthral with its writing and pitch perfect performances. Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, & Tamsin Greig were all quite brilliant tonight.
November 3, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Well, if it was already brilliant, I'm not quite sure what heights have been reached by BBC1's #RiotWomen episode 4. Shocking and dark yet still managing to remain warm, funny and authentic. The cast, writer and production crew are an exceptional team.
I enjoyed some fine food and drink in a mostly fine #Edinburgh last week. Accommodation was at the friendly & comfortable #Malmaison on St Andrew Sq. #CafeMarlayne, #SixByNico, the #BowBar, #TheBlackMedicineCoffeeCompany, and #BertiesProperFish&Chips all impressed.
November 2, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I enjoyed some fine food and drink in a mostly fine #Edinburgh last week. Accommodation was at the friendly & comfortable #Malmaison on St Andrew Sq. #CafeMarlayne, #SixByNico, the #BowBar, #TheBlackMedicineCoffeeCompany, and #BertiesProperFish&Chips all impressed.
The week ahead in #Darwen #Lancashire: Breezy at first, milder temperatures, second half of week drier...
MON 14°C Rain, heavy at first. Breezy
TUE 13°C Light rain
WED 15°C ↑Showers
THU 13°C Fine start→pm Showers
FRI 12°C pm Rain
SAT 11°C Early rain→Sunny spells
Week after: Less mild & showery
MON 14°C Rain, heavy at first. Breezy
TUE 13°C Light rain
WED 15°C ↑Showers
THU 13°C Fine start→pm Showers
FRI 12°C pm Rain
SAT 11°C Early rain→Sunny spells
Week after: Less mild & showery
SUNDAY
Cool with showers for the morning and windy.
Showers tending to easing away into the afternoon and winds dropping a touch.
Cloud thickening late-in-the-day then rain and wind arriving overnight with milder air once more.
Max 11°C Min 7°C
Cool with showers for the morning and windy.
Showers tending to easing away into the afternoon and winds dropping a touch.
Cloud thickening late-in-the-day then rain and wind arriving overnight with milder air once more.
Max 11°C Min 7°C
November 2, 2025 at 12:09 PM
The week ahead in #Darwen #Lancashire: Breezy at first, milder temperatures, second half of week drier...
MON 14°C Rain, heavy at first. Breezy
TUE 13°C Light rain
WED 15°C ↑Showers
THU 13°C Fine start→pm Showers
FRI 12°C pm Rain
SAT 11°C Early rain→Sunny spells
Week after: Less mild & showery
MON 14°C Rain, heavy at first. Breezy
TUE 13°C Light rain
WED 15°C ↑Showers
THU 13°C Fine start→pm Showers
FRI 12°C pm Rain
SAT 11°C Early rain→Sunny spells
Week after: Less mild & showery
I subscribe to Apple TV because of #SlowHorses, but my investment is increasingly secure. There is now the writing and wit and cast of the quite superb #DownCemeteryRoad. Emma Thompson has never been better.
November 1, 2025 at 7:47 PM
I subscribe to Apple TV because of #SlowHorses, but my investment is increasingly secure. There is now the writing and wit and cast of the quite superb #DownCemeteryRoad. Emma Thompson has never been better.
Not bad for an old Tory.
October 31, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Not bad for an old Tory.
The Chancellor #RachelReeves and the Labour government #KeirStarmer should not be increasing taxes for anybody earning less than these groups. We have suffered enough.
To the lady on #QuestionTime asking how many millionaires are in the UK, ONS data from 2018-2022 indicates this is around 4.5 million households. It's probably gone down a little, but that's an awful lot of broad shoulders. Also, 1.1 million pay additional rate income tax on earnings over £125,140.
October 30, 2025 at 11:34 PM
The Chancellor #RachelReeves and the Labour government #KeirStarmer should not be increasing taxes for anybody earning less than these groups. We have suffered enough.
To the lady on #QuestionTime asking how many millionaires are in the UK, ONS data from 2018-2022 indicates this is around 4.5 million households. It's probably gone down a little, but that's an awful lot of broad shoulders. Also, 1.1 million pay additional rate income tax on earnings over £125,140.
October 30, 2025 at 11:24 PM
To the lady on #QuestionTime asking how many millionaires are in the UK, ONS data from 2018-2022 indicates this is around 4.5 million households. It's probably gone down a little, but that's an awful lot of broad shoulders. Also, 1.1 million pay additional rate income tax on earnings over £125,140.
Sally Wainwright's #RiotWomen on BBC1 continues to impress and enthral with its writing and pitch perfect performances. Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, & Tamsin Greig were all quite brilliant tonight.
October 26, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Sally Wainwright's #RiotWomen on BBC1 continues to impress and enthral with its writing and pitch perfect performances. Joanna Scanlan, Rosalie Craig, & Tamsin Greig were all quite brilliant tonight.
The week ahead in #Darwen #Lancashire: Breezy at first, frequent showers, average temperature...
MON 10°C Sunny spells/Rain early & late
TUE 10°C Showers
WED 10°C Some showers
THU 11°C Fine start→pm Light rain
FRI 11°C am Showers pm Sunny spells
SAT 12°C Some light rain
Week after: A bit milder
MON 10°C Sunny spells/Rain early & late
TUE 10°C Showers
WED 10°C Some showers
THU 11°C Fine start→pm Light rain
FRI 11°C am Showers pm Sunny spells
SAT 12°C Some light rain
Week after: A bit milder
Sunday's forecast below.
After a cold and bright start with a frost in places the weather is now going downhill as the radar displays. A day for indoors.
After a cold and bright start with a frost in places the weather is now going downhill as the radar displays. A day for indoors.
October 26, 2025 at 10:38 AM
The week ahead in #Darwen #Lancashire: Breezy at first, frequent showers, average temperature...
MON 10°C Sunny spells/Rain early & late
TUE 10°C Showers
WED 10°C Some showers
THU 11°C Fine start→pm Light rain
FRI 11°C am Showers pm Sunny spells
SAT 12°C Some light rain
Week after: A bit milder
MON 10°C Sunny spells/Rain early & late
TUE 10°C Showers
WED 10°C Some showers
THU 11°C Fine start→pm Light rain
FRI 11°C am Showers pm Sunny spells
SAT 12°C Some light rain
Week after: A bit milder
Today, Saturday 25th October, 2025 in #Darwen #Lancashire had the lowest maximum temperature since the 2nd March. The daytime maximum temperature was just 7.8°C.
With the clocks going back tonight, it means the sun will rise an hour sooner tomorrow morning 🌅
However, it will also mean that the nights will draw in an hour earlier with longer evenings to come 🌃
However, it will also mean that the nights will draw in an hour earlier with longer evenings to come 🌃
October 25, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Today, Saturday 25th October, 2025 in #Darwen #Lancashire had the lowest maximum temperature since the 2nd March. The daytime maximum temperature was just 7.8°C.