David Herdson
@davidherdson.bsky.social
Part-time writer. Political activist. Fan of Bradford City and rail travel (amongst other things). Bibliophile. Dad. List not necessarily in order of importance.
I have no idea what No 10 is up to. What they're not up to is - the job.
If they actively wanted to undermine Streeting (why?), then you don't do it with a Westminster Village story the public won't care about and then give him the platform to denounce the briefings and show his ability.
If they actively wanted to undermine Streeting (why?), then you don't do it with a Westminster Village story the public won't care about and then give him the platform to denounce the briefings and show his ability.
No 10 briefs to embarrass Streeting, knowing he’s on the media round
Streeting excels at morning round, embarrassing No 10
Another triumph
Streeting excels at morning round, embarrassing No 10
Another triumph
November 12, 2025 at 10:17 AM
I have no idea what No 10 is up to. What they're not up to is - the job.
If they actively wanted to undermine Streeting (why?), then you don't do it with a Westminster Village story the public won't care about and then give him the platform to denounce the briefings and show his ability.
If they actively wanted to undermine Streeting (why?), then you don't do it with a Westminster Village story the public won't care about and then give him the platform to denounce the briefings and show his ability.
Reposted by David Herdson
If we're talking about bias, why do BBC politics programmes, from Politics Live to the Laura Kuennsberg Show, still always begin with a look at the newspaper front pages, which are overwhelmingly biased in one direction. Helps frame the entire news agenda and debate in their favour
November 11, 2025 at 1:09 PM
If we're talking about bias, why do BBC politics programmes, from Politics Live to the Laura Kuennsberg Show, still always begin with a look at the newspaper front pages, which are overwhelmingly biased in one direction. Helps frame the entire news agenda and debate in their favour
Reposted by David Herdson
Trump is incredibly unpopular here! including amongst Tory voters. What are they doing?
Conservative Shadow Culture Secretary Nigel Huddleston tells GB News that the BBC should "grovel" to Trump.
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
Amazing how many British 'patriots' are spending their time telling our national broadcaster to prostrate itself before a hostile foreign leader
November 11, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Trump is incredibly unpopular here! including amongst Tory voters. What are they doing?
This is precisely the point (and one that journalists like Joshua Rosenberg, who should know better, clearly also don't get).
You do not need to apologise for speaking the truth.
Journalists and broadcasters have a particular duty to *not* apologise if those they cover don't like fair coverage.
You do not need to apologise for speaking the truth.
Journalists and broadcasters have a particular duty to *not* apologise if those they cover don't like fair coverage.
I think, as an American who studied the speech to assess whether it constituted unlawful incitement, the BBC edit was poor journalistic form, but it did not convey something substantively different than reality. My thing? The apology doesn’t convey to me that the BBC gets Trump isn’t a fair broker.
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...
November 11, 2025 at 11:30 AM
This is precisely the point (and one that journalists like Joshua Rosenberg, who should know better, clearly also don't get).
You do not need to apologise for speaking the truth.
Journalists and broadcasters have a particular duty to *not* apologise if those they cover don't like fair coverage.
You do not need to apologise for speaking the truth.
Journalists and broadcasters have a particular duty to *not* apologise if those they cover don't like fair coverage.
Well, why *is* it in government?
It's plan seems to have started - and ended - with getting the Tories out.
It's plan seems to have started - and ended - with getting the Tories out.
If a self-identifying “left of centre” government with a parliamentary majority of more than a hundred seats won’t defend a vital public service institution you really have to ask why it’s in government at all.
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...
November 11, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Well, why *is* it in government?
It's plan seems to have started - and ended - with getting the Tories out.
It's plan seems to have started - and ended - with getting the Tories out.
The BBC should tell Trump to get stuffed and that they'll see him in court.
Trump said every word he was broadcast saying - and even if he didn't say them all together, the sentiments they expressed were consistent with the rest of his actions that day.
news.sky.com/story/trump-...
Trump said every word he was broadcast saying - and even if he didn't say them all together, the sentiments they expressed were consistent with the rest of his actions that day.
news.sky.com/story/trump-...
Trump threatens to sue BBC for $1bn over speech edit
The BBC has been engulfed in a crisis, with both its director-general and head of news resigning after it emerged a speech by Donald Trump was edited misleadingly in a Panorama documentary that aired ...
news.sky.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:22 AM
The BBC should tell Trump to get stuffed and that they'll see him in court.
Trump said every word he was broadcast saying - and even if he didn't say them all together, the sentiments they expressed were consistent with the rest of his actions that day.
news.sky.com/story/trump-...
Trump said every word he was broadcast saying - and even if he didn't say them all together, the sentiments they expressed were consistent with the rest of his actions that day.
news.sky.com/story/trump-...
I suspect the Germans are a long way ahead of Brits on this one.
They're certainly far ahead of the UK govt, which is still pathetically pretending that it's business as usual, rather than planning for the changed reality.
They're certainly far ahead of the UK govt, which is still pathetically pretending that it's business as usual, rather than planning for the changed reality.
That’s a lot.
67% of Germans say that “When in doubt, we can and should no longer rely on military assistance from the US.”
Study: www.moreincommon.de/wp-content/u...
67% of Germans say that “When in doubt, we can and should no longer rely on military assistance from the US.”
Study: www.moreincommon.de/wp-content/u...
November 11, 2025 at 6:50 AM
I suspect the Germans are a long way ahead of Brits on this one.
They're certainly far ahead of the UK govt, which is still pathetically pretending that it's business as usual, rather than planning for the changed reality.
They're certainly far ahead of the UK govt, which is still pathetically pretending that it's business as usual, rather than planning for the changed reality.
Reposted by David Herdson
Trump: "Nobody knows what magnets are."
November 10, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Trump: "Nobody knows what magnets are."
Good luck with that. (Not really good luck, obviously).
What exactly is he going to sue over? All the quotes were true and even stitched together out of order, didn't give a misleading impression of his actions and intentions that day.
But as ever, it's not about winning: it's about intimidation.
What exactly is he going to sue over? All the quotes were true and even stitched together out of order, didn't give a misleading impression of his actions and intentions that day.
But as ever, it's not about winning: it's about intimidation.
NEW: Donald Trump has threatened legal action against the BBC amid claims the broadcaster edited speech by the US president.
November 10, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Good luck with that. (Not really good luck, obviously).
What exactly is he going to sue over? All the quotes were true and even stitched together out of order, didn't give a misleading impression of his actions and intentions that day.
But as ever, it's not about winning: it's about intimidation.
What exactly is he going to sue over? All the quotes were true and even stitched together out of order, didn't give a misleading impression of his actions and intentions that day.
But as ever, it's not about winning: it's about intimidation.
I suspect there's also a strong element here of far too many journalists and BBC managers spending too much time on X and getting a wholly misleading impression of how big a story the Trump edits were. They're excessively influenced by right-wing activist opinion, and particularly US opinion.
The BBC is hopeless at reporting on itself. The idea that a minor, if misleading, edit is the most serious crisis in its history is ludicrous self-absorption, even allowing for the context of a Faragite desire to break it. It's certainly not as serious as the Iraq-Gilligan crisis.
November 10, 2025 at 9:48 AM
I suspect there's also a strong element here of far too many journalists and BBC managers spending too much time on X and getting a wholly misleading impression of how big a story the Trump edits were. They're excessively influenced by right-wing activist opinion, and particularly US opinion.
The BBC is hopeless at reporting on itself. The idea that a minor, if misleading, edit is the most serious crisis in its history is ludicrous self-absorption, even allowing for the context of a Faragite desire to break it. It's certainly not as serious as the Iraq-Gilligan crisis.
November 10, 2025 at 9:44 AM
The BBC is hopeless at reporting on itself. The idea that a minor, if misleading, edit is the most serious crisis in its history is ludicrous self-absorption, even allowing for the context of a Faragite desire to break it. It's certainly not as serious as the Iraq-Gilligan crisis.
The BBC resignations are a massive overreaction that will only lead to more demands from the same people whenever they see something they don't like - which will be often. Or it leads to preemptive appeasement.
Far from cutting out bias, it will lead to the embedding of it.
Far from cutting out bias, it will lead to the embedding of it.
November 9, 2025 at 10:00 PM
The BBC resignations are a massive overreaction that will only lead to more demands from the same people whenever they see something they don't like - which will be often. Or it leads to preemptive appeasement.
Far from cutting out bias, it will lead to the embedding of it.
Far from cutting out bias, it will lead to the embedding of it.
Very depressing thread. The country is regressing rapidly.
I note the irony that those who are probably most paranoically afraid of Sharia law are probably also those keenest on certain aspects of it.
I note the irony that those who are probably most paranoically afraid of Sharia law are probably also those keenest on certain aspects of it.
With Maurice Glasman and Dominic Lawson calling for the return of the stocks, we find most Britons opposed - although Reform voters are divided
All Britons: 21% support / 72% oppose
Lib Dem: 12% / 85%
Labour: 12% / 83%
Green: 13% / 82%
Con: 28% / 64%
Reform: 43% / 48%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
All Britons: 21% support / 72% oppose
Lib Dem: 12% / 85%
Labour: 12% / 83%
Green: 13% / 82%
Con: 28% / 64%
Reform: 43% / 48%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
November 7, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Very depressing thread. The country is regressing rapidly.
I note the irony that those who are probably most paranoically afraid of Sharia law are probably also those keenest on certain aspects of it.
I note the irony that those who are probably most paranoically afraid of Sharia law are probably also those keenest on certain aspects of it.
This is the first time Labour has finished outright fourth in a poll since July 2019 (although that time they were only 6 points off the lead).
Find Out Now do routinely find lower Labour / higher Green shares than other pollsters though that doesn't necessarily make them wrong.
Find Out Now do routinely find lower Labour / higher Green shares than other pollsters though that doesn't necessarily make them wrong.
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 33% (+1)
GRN: 18% (+1)
CON: 16% (=)
LAB: 15% (-1)
LDM: 11% (-1)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 5-6 Nov.
Changes w/ 29 Oct.
RFM: 33% (+1)
GRN: 18% (+1)
CON: 16% (=)
LAB: 15% (-1)
LDM: 11% (-1)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 5-6 Nov.
Changes w/ 29 Oct.
November 7, 2025 at 9:40 AM
This is the first time Labour has finished outright fourth in a poll since July 2019 (although that time they were only 6 points off the lead).
Find Out Now do routinely find lower Labour / higher Green shares than other pollsters though that doesn't necessarily make them wrong.
Find Out Now do routinely find lower Labour / higher Green shares than other pollsters though that doesn't necessarily make them wrong.
Even if Tesla does achieve the objectives that would trigger this payout (which he won't: Tesla has peaked as a company IMO), a payout on this scale is not about reward, it's about power.
Someone worth that much can buy continents, never mind countries.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Someone worth that much can buy continents, never mind countries.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Elon Musk's $1tn pay deal approved by Tesla shareholders
The richest man in the world will get hundreds of millions of new shares if he hits his targets.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Even if Tesla does achieve the objectives that would trigger this payout (which he won't: Tesla has peaked as a company IMO), a payout on this scale is not about reward, it's about power.
Someone worth that much can buy continents, never mind countries.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Someone worth that much can buy continents, never mind countries.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Another record poll share for the Greens, with FON, putting them on 18%.
Note Labour in fourth too.
I'm a bit sceptical of these Green numbers, which you'd expect to be showing up in more local by-elections wins or near-misses than they're managing at the moment, if they were in the high teens.
Note Labour in fourth too.
I'm a bit sceptical of these Green numbers, which you'd expect to be showing up in more local by-elections wins or near-misses than they're managing at the moment, if they were in the high teens.
Westminster Voting Intention:
RFM: 33% (+1)
GRN: 18% (+1)
CON: 16% (=)
LAB: 15% (-1)
LDM: 11% (-1)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 5-6 Nov.
Changes w/ 29 Oct.
RFM: 33% (+1)
GRN: 18% (+1)
CON: 16% (=)
LAB: 15% (-1)
LDM: 11% (-1)
SNP: 3% (=)
Via @findoutnow.bsky.social, 5-6 Nov.
Changes w/ 29 Oct.
November 6, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Another record poll share for the Greens, with FON, putting them on 18%.
Note Labour in fourth too.
I'm a bit sceptical of these Green numbers, which you'd expect to be showing up in more local by-elections wins or near-misses than they're managing at the moment, if they were in the high teens.
Note Labour in fourth too.
I'm a bit sceptical of these Green numbers, which you'd expect to be showing up in more local by-elections wins or near-misses than they're managing at the moment, if they were in the high teens.
Reposted by David Herdson
It's easy to dismiss this as just a online thing - but increasingly the 'wealth tax/billionares will pay for it' is cutting through more generally
You can see it on normal, non-politicos insta feeds-particularly driven by the Greens. It's hugely damaging to the leigitimacy of actual progressive tax
You can see it on normal, non-politicos insta feeds-particularly driven by the Greens. It's hugely damaging to the leigitimacy of actual progressive tax
Tax policy on the British left is pure "anti-bedtime left". Bizarre idea that you can have a big social democratic welfare state without everyone contributing properly www.economist.com/britain/2025...
November 6, 2025 at 11:54 AM
It's easy to dismiss this as just a online thing - but increasingly the 'wealth tax/billionares will pay for it' is cutting through more generally
You can see it on normal, non-politicos insta feeds-particularly driven by the Greens. It's hugely damaging to the leigitimacy of actual progressive tax
You can see it on normal, non-politicos insta feeds-particularly driven by the Greens. It's hugely damaging to the leigitimacy of actual progressive tax
It's very rare for Labour Deputy Leaders to go on to the top job.
Powell, however, has an excellent platform from which to play to the members while ministers are constrained by collective responsibility.
Powell, however, has an excellent platform from which to play to the members while ministers are constrained by collective responsibility.
The joy of being a non-ministerial deputy leader is you can offer helpful advice like this
November 6, 2025 at 5:02 PM
It's very rare for Labour Deputy Leaders to go on to the top job.
Powell, however, has an excellent platform from which to play to the members while ministers are constrained by collective responsibility.
Powell, however, has an excellent platform from which to play to the members while ministers are constrained by collective responsibility.
Every new economy-transforming industry or innovation invariably an asset bubble as investors pour in on vibes, greed, optimism and flawed analysis.
From the South Sea, canals and railways, to the internet and AI, it's the same dynamic.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
From the South Sea, canals and railways, to the internet and AI, it's the same dynamic.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Nvidia becomes world's first $5tn company
The US chip-maker has rapidly climbed from a niche graphics-chip manufacturer to an AI titan.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Every new economy-transforming industry or innovation invariably an asset bubble as investors pour in on vibes, greed, optimism and flawed analysis.
From the South Sea, canals and railways, to the internet and AI, it's the same dynamic.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
From the South Sea, canals and railways, to the internet and AI, it's the same dynamic.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by David Herdson
The crucial bit of this tactical 'only Labour or Reform can win here' VI poll, though, is that Labour and Reform would be tied.
Not enough Lib Dem or Green voters are (right now) prepared to tactically vote for Labour to offset the number of Tories willing to tactically vote for Reform.
Not enough Lib Dem or Green voters are (right now) prepared to tactically vote for Labour to offset the number of Tories willing to tactically vote for Reform.
November 5, 2025 at 6:21 PM
The crucial bit of this tactical 'only Labour or Reform can win here' VI poll, though, is that Labour and Reform would be tied.
Not enough Lib Dem or Green voters are (right now) prepared to tactically vote for Labour to offset the number of Tories willing to tactically vote for Reform.
Not enough Lib Dem or Green voters are (right now) prepared to tactically vote for Labour to offset the number of Tories willing to tactically vote for Reform.
This only works if:
1. People who want to stop Reform believe Labour won't do the same sort of thing. Echoing Reform's language runs directly counter to that. And
2. Labour is best-placed to Stop Reform. Being only a few points clear of both LD and Grn means that's nothing like assured.
1. People who want to stop Reform believe Labour won't do the same sort of thing. Echoing Reform's language runs directly counter to that. And
2. Labour is best-placed to Stop Reform. Being only a few points clear of both LD and Grn means that's nothing like assured.
November 5, 2025 at 6:39 PM
This only works if:
1. People who want to stop Reform believe Labour won't do the same sort of thing. Echoing Reform's language runs directly counter to that. And
2. Labour is best-placed to Stop Reform. Being only a few points clear of both LD and Grn means that's nothing like assured.
1. People who want to stop Reform believe Labour won't do the same sort of thing. Echoing Reform's language runs directly counter to that. And
2. Labour is best-placed to Stop Reform. Being only a few points clear of both LD and Grn means that's nothing like assured.
Reposted by David Herdson
For me, it is objectively ridiculous that the UK left knows and cares a lot more about Zohran Mamdani than it does about Pedro Sánchez - the left-wing Prime Minister of Europe's fastest growing economy.
November 5, 2025 at 9:32 AM
For me, it is objectively ridiculous that the UK left knows and cares a lot more about Zohran Mamdani than it does about Pedro Sánchez - the left-wing Prime Minister of Europe's fastest growing economy.
Not just the Labour party, who are drifting aimlessly. The Tories too are willingly being pulled in Reform's wake without resistance, and even the Lib Dems - who are, rightly, more confident in their overall position - could be a lot more vocal in leading opinion.
The lesson that politicians can lead public opinion seemingly needs to be re-learned by the Labour Party. It does also mean they need to develop an idea of *where* they want to lead public opinion, which is probably a bigger challenge
November 5, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Not just the Labour party, who are drifting aimlessly. The Tories too are willingly being pulled in Reform's wake without resistance, and even the Lib Dems - who are, rightly, more confident in their overall position - could be a lot more vocal in leading opinion.
Well, yes and no.
It's true that a government wanting more control over a central bank is not, of itself, an inevitable road to chaos.
However, it's also easy enough to track the record of populists in power on this score - and anyone giving Reform the benefit of the doubt is far too gullible.
It's true that a government wanting more control over a central bank is not, of itself, an inevitable road to chaos.
However, it's also easy enough to track the record of populists in power on this score - and anyone giving Reform the benefit of the doubt is far too gullible.
Sharp from @chrisgiles.ft.com on Farage’s (confused) thoughts on the Bank of England ep.ft.com/permalink/em...
November 4, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Well, yes and no.
It's true that a government wanting more control over a central bank is not, of itself, an inevitable road to chaos.
However, it's also easy enough to track the record of populists in power on this score - and anyone giving Reform the benefit of the doubt is far too gullible.
It's true that a government wanting more control over a central bank is not, of itself, an inevitable road to chaos.
However, it's also easy enough to track the record of populists in power on this score - and anyone giving Reform the benefit of the doubt is far too gullible.
Reposted by David Herdson
It says a lot about the current state of the US that if Cheney were active now, he’d be considered quite a rational and diligent and centrist actor, too leftwing to be welcome in the Republican Party
Dick Cheney, the influential GOP vice president to George W. Bush and chief architect of the "war on terror," has died. He was 84.
https://cnn.it/4qIm8zy
https://cnn.it/4qIm8zy
November 4, 2025 at 12:49 PM
It says a lot about the current state of the US that if Cheney were active now, he’d be considered quite a rational and diligent and centrist actor, too leftwing to be welcome in the Republican Party