John Harris
@johnharris1969.bsky.social
Guardian. Free Substack pieces at maybeimamazed.substack.com Plus music writing in MOJO. Maybe I'm Amazed, my new memoir about autism & music, out now. Order here https://linktr.ee/maybeimamazed
Once again, the Starmer govt seems to be frozen in fear. It's pathetic
November 10, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Once again, the Starmer govt seems to be frozen in fear. It's pathetic
Reposted by John Harris
Tips for the next DG:
1 - Don't stake your future on impartiality. Perfect impartiality is impossible. Focus on accuracy and accountability. Let journalists and producers do their job. If they get it badly wrong, sack them.
2 - Reverse the deliberate, prolonged cut to arts programming.
1 - Don't stake your future on impartiality. Perfect impartiality is impossible. Focus on accuracy and accountability. Let journalists and producers do their job. If they get it badly wrong, sack them.
2 - Reverse the deliberate, prolonged cut to arts programming.
November 9, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Tips for the next DG:
1 - Don't stake your future on impartiality. Perfect impartiality is impossible. Focus on accuracy and accountability. Let journalists and producers do their job. If they get it badly wrong, sack them.
2 - Reverse the deliberate, prolonged cut to arts programming.
1 - Don't stake your future on impartiality. Perfect impartiality is impossible. Focus on accuracy and accountability. Let journalists and producers do their job. If they get it badly wrong, sack them.
2 - Reverse the deliberate, prolonged cut to arts programming.
Reposted by John Harris
The departure of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness means the BBC is leaderless when it needs leadership more than ever. Where are the people at the head of the BBC standing up for it?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC is facing a coordinated, politically motivated attack. With these resignations, it has given in | Jane Martinson
The corporation should have stood up to the Telegraph, Trump and the Tories. Now, its enemies know how little it takes for it to fold, says Jane Martinson, professor of financial journalism
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The departure of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness means the BBC is leaderless when it needs leadership more than ever. Where are the people at the head of the BBC standing up for it?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Todmorden Book Festival was just great. Two more Maybe I'm Amazed 2025 dates remain: Manchester Louder Than Words next Sunday, and London/Tower Hamlets WriteIdea (which is free) on Sat 22nd. Tickets etc:
Manc: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maybe-im-a...
London: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/john-harri...
Manc: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maybe-im-a...
London: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/john-harri...
November 9, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Todmorden Book Festival was just great. Two more Maybe I'm Amazed 2025 dates remain: Manchester Louder Than Words next Sunday, and London/Tower Hamlets WriteIdea (which is free) on Sat 22nd. Tickets etc:
Manc: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maybe-im-a...
London: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/john-harri...
Manc: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maybe-im-a...
London: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/john-harri...
Latest from me: on seven-party politics, why it's not going to go away & how Labour and the Tories are completely thrown by it www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Welcome to 21st-century politics: a bitter revolt against power that will consume Labour and the Tories | John Harris
A mood of turbulence and insurgency against the two main parties has been building for years, says Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Latest from me: on seven-party politics, why it's not going to go away & how Labour and the Tories are completely thrown by it www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by John Harris
Just finished Maybe I’m Amazed by @johnharris1969.bsky.social have learnt so much about autism, eyes opened about the SEND system, and have created a brilliant new playlist to boot!
November 9, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Just finished Maybe I’m Amazed by @johnharris1969.bsky.social have learnt so much about autism, eyes opened about the SEND system, and have created a brilliant new playlist to boot!
Reposted by John Harris
ICYMI (Vol 2 is in this thread and on the playlists too)
bsky.app/profile/birm...
bsky.app/profile/birm...
Anyone up for a Folk Funk Friday? Here's a great cassette I bought from 'Jazzman' Gerald's stall in Camden Market around 30 years ago. It's recreated here
Spotify ▶️ open.spotify.com/playlist/2gz...
YouTube ▶️ youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Spotify ▶️ open.spotify.com/playlist/2gz...
YouTube ▶️ youtube.com/playlist?lis...
November 8, 2025 at 8:24 PM
ICYMI (Vol 2 is in this thread and on the playlists too)
bsky.app/profile/birm...
bsky.app/profile/birm...
Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and surrounding areas: I'm opening the Todmorden Book Festival tonight at 8, talking about my memoir Maybe I'm amazed, music, neurodivergence & more www.ticketsource.co.uk/todmorden-bo...
November 7, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and surrounding areas: I'm opening the Todmorden Book Festival tonight at 8, talking about my memoir Maybe I'm amazed, music, neurodivergence & more www.ticketsource.co.uk/todmorden-bo...
I think we're now desensitised to the hell that is UK train travel. Currently on a crazily overcrowded 5-carriage service from Bristol to Manc, full of people nervously sitting in untaken reserved seats & stupidly crowded aisles, with the officious, all-is-well announcements sounding Starmer-esque
November 7, 2025 at 1:54 PM
I think we're now desensitised to the hell that is UK train travel. Currently on a crazily overcrowded 5-carriage service from Bristol to Manc, full of people nervously sitting in untaken reserved seats & stupidly crowded aisles, with the officious, all-is-well announcements sounding Starmer-esque
Reposted by John Harris
Why are we seeing a resurgence of racism in 2025 & what can counter it? I spoke to @johnharris1969.bsky.social for the Guardian podcast
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
The chancellor’s impossible choice: economic necessity or political disaster? – podcast
John Harris speaks to the Guardian’s economics editor, Heather Stewart, about the unenviable choice facing Rachel Reeves. What price will she pay if she raises the basic rate of income tax for the fir...
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Why are we seeing a resurgence of racism in 2025 & what can counter it? I spoke to @johnharris1969.bsky.social for the Guardian podcast
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
www.theguardian.com/politics/aud...
Reposted by John Harris
“There are a one or two Beatles songs which are a window into how fascinating James’ mind is” - @johnharris1969.bsky.social talks to @yorkshirepost.co.uk about his book Maybe I’m Amazed
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/whats-on/art...
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/whats-on/art...
John Harris: 'I think music speaks emotionally in a very powerful way'
One-time winner of the Orwell Prize for political journalism for his work in The Guardian, John Harris is regarded as one of Britain’s most pertinent columnists.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 3:52 PM
“There are a one or two Beatles songs which are a window into how fascinating James’ mind is” - @johnharris1969.bsky.social talks to @yorkshirepost.co.uk about his book Maybe I’m Amazed
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/whats-on/art...
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/whats-on/art...
There's a great piece about my book Maybe I'm Amazed in today's @yorkshirepost.co.uk by @duncanseamanyp.bsky.social. And I'm doing an event at the Todmorden festival this Friday. Tickets here www.ticketsource.co.uk/todmorden-bo...
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 AM
There's a great piece about my book Maybe I'm Amazed in today's @yorkshirepost.co.uk by @duncanseamanyp.bsky.social. And I'm doing an event at the Todmorden festival this Friday. Tickets here www.ticketsource.co.uk/todmorden-bo...
Reposted by John Harris
Why are people in Caerphilly more articulate than the political class at highlighting the issues facing people?
Such a phenomenal snapshot of where we are - a microcosm of the factors we’re fighting as a society 🧵
Cracking stuff from @johnharris1969.bsky.social
youtu.be/N79jV1waf4g?...
Such a phenomenal snapshot of where we are - a microcosm of the factors we’re fighting as a society 🧵
Cracking stuff from @johnharris1969.bsky.social
youtu.be/N79jV1waf4g?...
The Welsh town that saw off Nigel Farage | Anywhere but Westminster
YouTube video by The Guardian
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Why are people in Caerphilly more articulate than the political class at highlighting the issues facing people?
Such a phenomenal snapshot of where we are - a microcosm of the factors we’re fighting as a society 🧵
Cracking stuff from @johnharris1969.bsky.social
youtu.be/N79jV1waf4g?...
Such a phenomenal snapshot of where we are - a microcosm of the factors we’re fighting as a society 🧵
Cracking stuff from @johnharris1969.bsky.social
youtu.be/N79jV1waf4g?...
Reposted by John Harris
The Johns have been making these videos for a decade+(?) and they remain the best look into what’s really going on, on the ground in the UK.
Real people, a plurality of voices, and compassionate, thoughtful observations.
A portrait of what politics means for actual people and their daily lives.
Real people, a plurality of voices, and compassionate, thoughtful observations.
A portrait of what politics means for actual people and their daily lives.
November 3, 2025 at 3:35 PM
The Johns have been making these videos for a decade+(?) and they remain the best look into what’s really going on, on the ground in the UK.
Real people, a plurality of voices, and compassionate, thoughtful observations.
A portrait of what politics means for actual people and their daily lives.
Real people, a plurality of voices, and compassionate, thoughtful observations.
A portrait of what politics means for actual people and their daily lives.
SEND briefings & speculation continues. Half-explained at best, this is exactly the kind of stuff that terrifies parents & carers apple.news/ABwmTz2dwS8u...
Pupils with ‘lower-level’ special needs may lose one-to-one support — The Times and The Sunday Times
Some children with “lower-level” special needs may no longer get the right to one-to-one support from a teaching assistant under plans being considered by ministers. In a bid to cut the spiralling cos...
apple.news
November 3, 2025 at 9:45 AM
SEND briefings & speculation continues. Half-explained at best, this is exactly the kind of stuff that terrifies parents & carers apple.news/ABwmTz2dwS8u...
I'm on at the WriteIdea festival in East London on Sat Nov 22, talking about my book Maybe I'm Amazed, music, neurodivergence & more. It's free! Tower Hamlets Town Hall, E1 1BJ. Book here www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/john-harri...
John Harris: Maybe I’m Amazed - A Story of Love and Connection in Ten Songs
In this extraordinary memoir, Harris tells the story of how music has opened up the world to his son, one song at a time.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I'm on at the WriteIdea festival in East London on Sat Nov 22, talking about my book Maybe I'm Amazed, music, neurodivergence & more. It's free! Tower Hamlets Town Hall, E1 1BJ. Book here www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/john-harri...
Anywhere But Westminster's next episode is about what just happened in Caerphilly, from the grassroots up. Out next Tuesday
October 24, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Anywhere But Westminster's next episode is about what just happened in Caerphilly, from the grassroots up. Out next Tuesday
Reposted by John Harris
#Todmorden #BookFestival runs from 7th to 15th Nov.
John Harris on #Music #Journalism
todmordenbookfestival.co.uk/whats-on
#Rochdale #Oldham #Bacup #Burnley #Nelson #Ilkley #Haworth #Blackburn #HebdenBridge #Halifax
#TodBookFest2025 #MusicJournalism
John Harris on #Music #Journalism
todmordenbookfestival.co.uk/whats-on
#Rochdale #Oldham #Bacup #Burnley #Nelson #Ilkley #Haworth #Blackburn #HebdenBridge #Halifax
#TodBookFest2025 #MusicJournalism
More Maybe I'm Amazed dates! Come and hear/talk about music, autism and more
Todmorden book festival, Fri Nov 7
www.ticketsource.co.uk/todmorden-bo...
Glasgow Aye Write, Sat Nov 8
www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/mayb...
Manchester Louder Than Words, Sun Nov 16
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maybe-im-a...
Todmorden book festival, Fri Nov 7
www.ticketsource.co.uk/todmorden-bo...
Glasgow Aye Write, Sat Nov 8
www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/mayb...
Manchester Louder Than Words, Sun Nov 16
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maybe-im-a...
October 23, 2025 at 6:53 AM
#Todmorden #BookFestival runs from 7th to 15th Nov.
John Harris on #Music #Journalism
todmordenbookfestival.co.uk/whats-on
#Rochdale #Oldham #Bacup #Burnley #Nelson #Ilkley #Haworth #Blackburn #HebdenBridge #Halifax
#TodBookFest2025 #MusicJournalism
John Harris on #Music #Journalism
todmordenbookfestival.co.uk/whats-on
#Rochdale #Oldham #Bacup #Burnley #Nelson #Ilkley #Haworth #Blackburn #HebdenBridge #Halifax
#TodBookFest2025 #MusicJournalism
The "oh shit, I'll change my mind" Prime Minister
Starmer will attend Cop30 climate summit in Brazil, No 10 says, following weeks of criticism over reports he would miss it - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
October 20, 2025 at 2:14 PM
The "oh shit, I'll change my mind" Prime Minister
Reposted by John Harris
Starmer should never have got involved with the decision of the local authorities in Birmingham regarding the Villa match and linking it to anti-semitism was idiotic.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Tel Aviv football derby between Hapoel and Maccabi called off after rioting
Israeli police make nine arrests, citing ‘disorderly conduct, riots, injured police officers’ and infrastructure damage
www.theguardian.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Starmer should never have got involved with the decision of the local authorities in Birmingham regarding the Villa match and linking it to anti-semitism was idiotic.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Reposted by John Harris
Apropos of nothing, I really do think UK journalists and politicians need some reminding that mass deportation of LEGAL immigrants, particularly those with permanent status, is far more extreme than even Trump's America and would basically place Britain completely on its own among democracies.
October 19, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Apropos of nothing, I really do think UK journalists and politicians need some reminding that mass deportation of LEGAL immigrants, particularly those with permanent status, is far more extreme than even Trump's America and would basically place Britain completely on its own among democracies.
Latest from me: on what Liverpool says about the housing crisis, and the uneasy state of politics www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
A waiting list of thousands, and just five new homes for social rent: this city shows the depth of Britain’s housing crisis | John Harris
Liverpool was once praised for its tolerance, but housing shortages are driving fearful, unsettling behaviours – and people are blaming outsiders, says Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
October 19, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Latest from me: on what Liverpool says about the housing crisis, and the uneasy state of politics www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by John Harris
Have a closer look at this, Stephen. Jenrick was born in 1982 and is a Wolves fan. If he was in the away end the only times they played there after he was aged two were in League Cup ties in 1989 and 1996 and in the PL in 2003. Like everything else this shapeshifter says, I don't believe a word.
October 17, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Have a closer look at this, Stephen. Jenrick was born in 1982 and is a Wolves fan. If he was in the away end the only times they played there after he was aged two were in League Cup ties in 1989 and 1996 and in the PL in 2003. Like everything else this shapeshifter says, I don't believe a word.
More Maybe I'm Amazed dates! Come and hear/talk about music, autism and more
Todmorden book festival, Fri Nov 7
www.ticketsource.co.uk/todmorden-bo...
Glasgow Aye Write, Sat Nov 8
www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/mayb...
Manchester Louder Than Words, Sun Nov 16
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maybe-im-a...
Todmorden book festival, Fri Nov 7
www.ticketsource.co.uk/todmorden-bo...
Glasgow Aye Write, Sat Nov 8
www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/mayb...
Manchester Louder Than Words, Sun Nov 16
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maybe-im-a...
October 17, 2025 at 4:38 PM
More Maybe I'm Amazed dates! Come and hear/talk about music, autism and more
Todmorden book festival, Fri Nov 7
www.ticketsource.co.uk/todmorden-bo...
Glasgow Aye Write, Sat Nov 8
www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/mayb...
Manchester Louder Than Words, Sun Nov 16
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maybe-im-a...
Todmorden book festival, Fri Nov 7
www.ticketsource.co.uk/todmorden-bo...
Glasgow Aye Write, Sat Nov 8
www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/mayb...
Manchester Louder Than Words, Sun Nov 16
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/maybe-im-a...