David Soward
@latimer57.bsky.social
Pianist, psychotherapist, poet, photographer, post-Christian, pro-EU, polymath
Reposted by David Soward
Americans! No matter how bad this looks from inside, let me assure you it looks - and feels - far worse from outside.
December 7, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Americans! No matter how bad this looks from inside, let me assure you it looks - and feels - far worse from outside.
Reposted by David Soward
The US is now officially committed (alongside Moscow) to interfering in European electoral politics to promote nationalist and anti-EU parties of the Far Right, from Reform in the UK to Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National in France to the xenophobic AFD in Germany. 5/
December 7, 2025 at 11:50 AM
The US is now officially committed (alongside Moscow) to interfering in European electoral politics to promote nationalist and anti-EU parties of the Far Right, from Reform in the UK to Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement National in France to the xenophobic AFD in Germany. 5/
Reposted by David Soward
Only Europe can save Ukraine from Putin and Trump open.substack.com/pub/timothyg...
Only Europe can save Ukraine from Putin and Trump
The new US national security strategy shows us Europeans exactly where we stand: alone.
open.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Only Europe can save Ukraine from Putin and Trump open.substack.com/pub/timothyg...
Reposted by David Soward
Whether through malice, incompetence or both the Trump administration is doing what it can to help Putin & harm Europe. And ironically, it brings peace no closer because Putin sees the evidence of Western weakness & disunity as a reason to keep the war going & achieve his goal of destroying Ukraine.
🚨 Explosive report by Bloomberg:
The US has lobbied “several” EU countries to derail the reparations loan for Ukraine, arguing the Russian assets are needed to achieve a peace deal and shouldn’t be used to “prolong the war”.
The US has lobbied “several” EU countries to derail the reparations loan for Ukraine, arguing the Russian assets are needed to achieve a peace deal and shouldn’t be used to “prolong the war”.
US Urged Europeans to Oppose EU Plan for Loan to Support Ukraine
The US lobbied several countries in the European Union in an effort to block EU plans to use frozen Russian central bank assets to back a massive loan to Ukraine, according to European diplomats famil...
www.bloomberg.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Whether through malice, incompetence or both the Trump administration is doing what it can to help Putin & harm Europe. And ironically, it brings peace no closer because Putin sees the evidence of Western weakness & disunity as a reason to keep the war going & achieve his goal of destroying Ukraine.
Reposted by David Soward
🔴GB News Accused of ‘Circling the Wagons’ to Downplay Nigel Farage Racism Scandal Engulfing Their Star Presenter
The Reform UK leader is being paid hundreds of thousands of pounds to present shows on the channel
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/05/g...
The Reform UK leader is being paid hundreds of thousands of pounds to present shows on the channel
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/05/g...
GB News Accused of ‘Circling the Wagons’ to Downplay Nigel Farage Racism Scandal Engulfing Their Star Presenter
The Reform UK leader is being paid hundreds of thousands of pounds to present shows on the channel
bylinetimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:13 PM
🔴GB News Accused of ‘Circling the Wagons’ to Downplay Nigel Farage Racism Scandal Engulfing Their Star Presenter
The Reform UK leader is being paid hundreds of thousands of pounds to present shows on the channel
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/05/g...
The Reform UK leader is being paid hundreds of thousands of pounds to present shows on the channel
bylinetimes.com/2025/12/05/g...
Reposted by David Soward
"It is time for a European policy plan for EU-US decoupling with steps to minimise the harm Maga America is able to inflict on Europe.
Such a plan must cover at least three areas: trade, finance and defence" by @martinsandbu.ft.com
Such a plan must cover at least three areas: trade, finance and defence" by @martinsandbu.ft.com
Europe needs a plan for decoupling from America
The EU must make itself minimally vulnerable to inevitable US pressure
www.ft.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:39 AM
"It is time for a European policy plan for EU-US decoupling with steps to minimise the harm Maga America is able to inflict on Europe.
Such a plan must cover at least three areas: trade, finance and defence" by @martinsandbu.ft.com
Such a plan must cover at least three areas: trade, finance and defence" by @martinsandbu.ft.com
Reposted by David Soward
Is it too much to ask there will be an apology and a very long period of silence from every media outlet and journalist who accused the Chancellor of lying. I won't hold my breath.
December 2, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Is it too much to ask there will be an apology and a very long period of silence from every media outlet and journalist who accused the Chancellor of lying. I won't hold my breath.
Reposted by David Soward
Is Chris Mason going to defect to Reform?
December 2, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Is Chris Mason going to defect to Reform?
Reposted by David Soward
So much for all that bleating about being misled by the Treasury from the BBC's political editor Chris Mason .....
www.ft.com/content/48c2...
www.ft.com/content/48c2...
UK Politics: OBR says Reeves did not mislead public over Budget forecasts
Fiscal watchdog faces Treasury committee after accidental publication of key report prompted chair to resign
www.ft.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:19 PM
So much for all that bleating about being misled by the Treasury from the BBC's political editor Chris Mason .....
www.ft.com/content/48c2...
www.ft.com/content/48c2...
You could almost believe the media are inherently right-wing
This story is starting to make me feel I’m going slightly mad - maybe RR overdid the gloom, but the tax rises are paying for a) the welfare U-turns b) the £10bn-plus increase in headroom c) scrapping the two child limit d) bits of other spending eg higher local gov costs 🤷🏻♀️
December 1, 2025 at 11:23 AM
You could almost believe the media are inherently right-wing
Reposted by David Soward
Since the Nathan Gill conviction, a lot of people seem to be waking up to Putin's meddling in British politics
Here's a handy primer from me and @goldbergradio.bsky.social
A Beginner's Guide to Russian Influence: Brexit and Beyond
@bylinetimes.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
Here's a handy primer from me and @goldbergradio.bsky.social
A Beginner's Guide to Russian Influence: Brexit and Beyond
@bylinetimes.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
A Beginners Guide to Russian Influence: Brexit and Beyond
Podcast Episode · Byline Podcast · 29/11/2025 · 31m
podcasts.apple.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Since the Nathan Gill conviction, a lot of people seem to be waking up to Putin's meddling in British politics
Here's a handy primer from me and @goldbergradio.bsky.social
A Beginner's Guide to Russian Influence: Brexit and Beyond
@bylinetimes.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
Here's a handy primer from me and @goldbergradio.bsky.social
A Beginner's Guide to Russian Influence: Brexit and Beyond
@bylinetimes.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
Reposted by David Soward
Fiona Hill: Russian expert on why Putin knows exactly how to get Trump on side
Fiona Hill: Russian expert on why Putin knows exactly how to get Trump on side
Fiona Hill: Russian expert on why Putin knows exactly how to get Trump on side
www.independent.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Fiona Hill: Russian expert on why Putin knows exactly how to get Trump on side
Reposted by David Soward
Trump’s former Russia adviser, Fiona Hill, said “This is an elite deal by a group of people who have an interest, not in what’s happening on the ground or what happens to all of the people who are suffering from this, but in themselves. They are the people who can make some money from the deal.”
November 28, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Trump’s former Russia adviser, Fiona Hill, said “This is an elite deal by a group of people who have an interest, not in what’s happening on the ground or what happens to all of the people who are suffering from this, but in themselves. They are the people who can make some money from the deal.”
Reposted by David Soward
Reposted by David Soward
"That Britain is doing the precise opposite by undermining the #BBC, probably the world’s most widely respected #publicservicebroadcaster, is just another example of the country’s seemingly endless capacity for national self-harming." 3.
November 27, 2025 at 1:02 PM
"That Britain is doing the precise opposite by undermining the #BBC, probably the world’s most widely respected #publicservicebroadcaster, is just another example of the country’s seemingly endless capacity for national self-harming." 3.
Reposted by David Soward
Net migration fell sharply agaim to 204,000 in the year to June 2025, having been 344k in 2024 and 848k in 2023. But falling immigration has been the biggest secret - and it is time for the media and political debate to catch up with this change
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
UK net migration fell to 204,000 in year to June - live updates
Net migration, the difference between those entering and leaving the country, was 345,000 in 2024 according to revised figures.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Net migration fell sharply agaim to 204,000 in the year to June 2025, having been 344k in 2024 and 848k in 2023. But falling immigration has been the biggest secret - and it is time for the media and political debate to catch up with this change
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...
Reposted by David Soward
'This isn't an opinion. This is counting.'
- A 100,000 drop in net migration costs us £7bn
- Scrapping the two-child benefit cap costs us £3bn
What gets more attention?
James O’Brien says 'we have become a ludicrous country'.
- Scrapping the two-child benefit cap costs us £3bn
What gets more attention?
James O’Brien says 'we have become a ludicrous country'.
November 27, 2025 at 11:29 AM
'This isn't an opinion. This is counting.'
Reposted by David Soward
Something that Trump’s hapless crew seem completely unable to understand.
We still need to get from a situation where Russia pretends to negotiate to a situation where they need to negotiate.
Extract from my press remarks following today’s informal Foreign Affairs Council ↓
Extract from my press remarks following today’s informal Foreign Affairs Council ↓
November 26, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Something that Trump’s hapless crew seem completely unable to understand.
Reposted by David Soward
Ooh... "UK trade intensity has stagnated since 2008, and we expect it to fall in the coming years due to the recent resurgence in global protectionism on top of the enduring effects of Brexit"
So much for the independent trade policy.
So much for the independent trade policy.
Full OBR doc is up here: Reeves must be FUMING obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
November 26, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Ooh... "UK trade intensity has stagnated since 2008, and we expect it to fall in the coming years due to the recent resurgence in global protectionism on top of the enduring effects of Brexit"
So much for the independent trade policy.
So much for the independent trade policy.
Reposted by David Soward
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove Made Orwell Prize Judge Despite Record of Attacking Journalists and Dodging Scrutiny
Critics say "Orwell would have enjoyed the irony" of the former Conservative minister's appointment
bylinetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:53 PM
I’m a past winner of the Orwell Prize & won partly because I exposed Vote Leave’s unlawful activities.
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Michael Gove was its co-convener & refused to answer a single q. He’s now a judge of the prize & our world is truly one that Orwell would recognise
bylinetimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Reposted by David Soward
This is the Davos clip that Anita Anand mentioned at the beginning of the Reith Lecture this morning on BBC Radio 4.
And had the BBC not censored his lecture, I would not have found it.
So maybe they've done us a service?
#UnintendedConsequences
www.youtube.com/watch?v=paae...
And had the BBC not censored his lecture, I would not have found it.
So maybe they've done us a service?
#UnintendedConsequences
www.youtube.com/watch?v=paae...
How a Historian Nailed Billionaires for Their Greed at Davos | NowThis
YouTube video by NowThis Impact
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:25 AM
This is the Davos clip that Anita Anand mentioned at the beginning of the Reith Lecture this morning on BBC Radio 4.
And had the BBC not censored his lecture, I would not have found it.
So maybe they've done us a service?
#UnintendedConsequences
www.youtube.com/watch?v=paae...
And had the BBC not censored his lecture, I would not have found it.
So maybe they've done us a service?
#UnintendedConsequences
www.youtube.com/watch?v=paae...
Reposted by David Soward
A Time of Monsters | Rutger Bregman's first Reith Lecture in his Moral Revolution series.
He explores the moral decay and un-seriousness of today's elites, drawing historical parallels to past eras of corruption that preceded transformative movements.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
He explores the moral decay and un-seriousness of today's elites, drawing historical parallels to past eras of corruption that preceded transformative movements.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Reith Lectures - Rutger Bregman - Moral Revolution - 1. A Time of Monsters - BBC Sounds
Dutch historian Rutger Bregman delivers his first BBC Reith Lecture: Moral Revolution.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 11:33 AM
A Time of Monsters | Rutger Bregman's first Reith Lecture in his Moral Revolution series.
He explores the moral decay and un-seriousness of today's elites, drawing historical parallels to past eras of corruption that preceded transformative movements.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
He explores the moral decay and un-seriousness of today's elites, drawing historical parallels to past eras of corruption that preceded transformative movements.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by David Soward
BBC removes description of Donald Trump as "the most openly corrupt president in American history" from the broadcast today of Rutger Bregman's Reith Lecture. I was among the several hundred people to hear the original at the lecture theatre
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 12:49 PM
BBC removes description of Donald Trump as "the most openly corrupt president in American history" from the broadcast today of Rutger Bregman's Reith Lecture. I was among the several hundred people to hear the original at the lecture theatre
Reposted by David Soward
Rutger Bregman accuses BBC of censoring his Reith lecture on Trump
Rutger Bregman accuses BBC of censoring his Reith lecture on Trump
Dutch writer says claim that Trump was ‘most openly corrupt president in US history’ was removed
The BBC has been plunged into a new row over its treatment of Donald Trump, after an academic accused it of censoring his remarks about alleged corruption by the US president.
Rutger Bregman, a Dutch author and historian, said the BBC had removed a “key line” from a flagship address he had been invited to give by the corporation. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Rutger Bregman accuses BBC of censoring his Reith lecture on Trump
Reposted by David Soward
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1