LonWon
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lonwon.bsky.social
LonWon
@lonwon.bsky.social
210 followers 540 following 530 posts
Curious about politics. Hoping for more than slogans.
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lonwon.bsky.social
I identify very strongly with Goodall's sentiments here
The BBC was a place which had shaped my life and political perception. As a child and teenager I gorged on its news programming, giving me a window into a world not mine. It made me want to be a television journalist. You wouldn’t be reading these words without it. I despair at the position it is now in. I have little to no sympathy for Tim Davie. He has helped create the problem by constantly opining on the BBC being too liberal. He has legitimised the critique which has toppled him. He appeased the same forces who have brought him down. He seemed to me to think little about what impartial journalism means in this age of universal deceit.
November 11, 2025 at 1:45 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
Karl Popper has critiqued the idea that science overcomes bias through the method that Goodall describes of individuals trying to elevate themselves above bias, instead arguing in favour of intersubjectivity as the best route to minimizing collective bias.

But I think Goodall would support this too
But the biggest sin the BBC has in my experience, is that the BBC isn’t that political at all, that it doesn’t have enough truly political people of any type. It should have more arch liberals, conservatives, socialists- so long as they can and are willing to think critically. Instead, it too often chooses not to think at all, because it’s easier, and safer- the intellectual crouch position.
November 11, 2025 at 1:43 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
Goodall argues for a particular method of aiming for impartiality, that, on the whole, I think sounds a good basis for part of an individual journalist's personal code.
I’ve written before about impartiality, and that of course, as an individual I wasn’t impartial at the BBC. I had views which I can now more freely express. I had biases- but I actively worked against them in my work, as I was required to do. How many of these people, self appointed guardians of impartiality, actually do the same? They often can’t- in my view because they don’t recognise their inherent partiality in the first place.
November 11, 2025 at 1:43 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
There are also fascinating insights into Goodall's unpleasant experiences at the hands of Robbie Gibb & David Grossman, but Goodall is remarkably generous to them in assessing their intent
I don’t think they are part of a right wing plot, as such. I genuinely think they think they are saving the BBC from itself. But that is because they suffer from the same affliction as much of the ailing, older British media class, ubiquitous across the lofty, windy diatribes in the pages of the Sunday Times and Telegraph, former BBC anchors and the like: a total lack of self-awareness. They believe their own politics to be neutral, impartial- and other people’s politics to be the aberration, or doctrinaire, a belief egged on by the fact that most of the media agrees with them. Orthodoxies are for other people. Many of these people lecture younger BBC staff as to being too rigid, or subject to groupthink, or unwilling to step outside themselves: it is these people, inside and outside of the BBC who are in my experience most rigid of all, because they are so convinced their politics isn’t really politics, but just some default setting shared with much of the country- when it is not. Worse, they usually claim to do what they do in the name of ordinary working class people about whom they usually know nothing.
November 11, 2025 at 1:29 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
Of the Trump 6 January speech edit fiasco:
Instead of some proportion from much of the British media class, we are treated to the tragicomic absurdity of a former British prime minister willing to admonish the national broadcaster and demand the resignation of its Director General, all in the name of defending Donald Trump’s reputation for truth-telling. But it’s worse than that- it is a textbook example of how populists win. We have the ridiculous carnival of Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, of all people, admonishing the BBC for its lack of integrity. And they can get away with it, because no-one expects anything from them and yet we expect everything from the people and places who actually give a damn.
November 11, 2025 at 1:22 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
As the aphorism says, if one person says it's raining and another says it's not, the job of a journalist isn't simply to publicise both views equally.

You have to look out the bloody window.
A TV reporter with an umbrella in heavy rain is doing a piece to camera. The chyron reads "'We're entitled to our opinion' say both sides"
November 11, 2025 at 1:05 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
The BBC is only seen as biased towards the left by hard right journalists such as Andrew Neil.

Total gaslighting.

The BBC's pandering to climate-denying, transphobic, xenophobic, genocide supporters shows undeniable right-wing bias.
Tweet by Times Radio: “More and more people say to me they don’t trust the BBC anymore.” Andrew Neil, who spent 25 years at the BBC, says people’s perceived left-leaning bias of the organisation threatens its future. https://x.com/TimesRadio/status/1987835188936888415?s=19
November 11, 2025 at 12:56 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
Here Andrew Neil wilfully misinterprets / misrepresents Ed Davey's criticism of the BBC.

The BBC compromised with the principles of a rigorous, impartial news service to make itself more attractive to Faragistes.

Reconsidering these compromises is not the same thing as aiming to stop Farage!
Tweet by Ed Davey "The resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness must be a chance for the BBC to turn a new leaf, rebuild trust and not give in to those like Nigel Farage who want to destroy it. We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain." https://x.com/EdwardJDavey/status/1987594719224832080?s=19 RT by Andrew Neil "So the point of the BBC in your view is to stop Farage/Reform. Can you explain why the 30%+ currently telling pollsters they plan to vote Farage/Reform should, by your logic, continue to pay their licence fees? How can the BBC claim to be impartial and yet be tasked by people like you to secure a particular political end? Have you really thought this through? Or is there water in the brain from all these silly stunts?" https://x.com/afneil/status/1987937753934238185?s=19
November 11, 2025 at 12:43 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
Good point
Austerity is a political choice. The decision to impose it is driven by governments bowing to the wishes of the ultra-rich. There are truckloads of money available. Just after Gates published his new missive, Oxfam revealed that the net worth of the 10 richest US billionaires grew by $698bn in the past year. That money alone, the increment in the wealth of 10 people, is almost 10 times the annual amount required to end extreme poverty worldwide. How have they managed to channel so much of the world’s money into their pockets? And why can’t we get it back through effective taxation? The answer is their translation of economic power into political power. The richer they become, the more they can bend the state and economic system to their will, ensuring that they become richer still. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/08/bill-gates-climate-crisis-billionaire-essay-cop30
November 8, 2025 at 9:09 AM
lonwon.bsky.social
The authors warn that the facts immigration attitudes move around, reacting to both reality and politicians' rhetoric.

Moreover, myth-busting isn't a magic bullet:
Second, even if we could convey a perfect reality of immigration levels and effects to people, this would not negate concerns – this is an emotional reaction to how the country is changing more than a cold trade-off of pros and cons. One of the key points you learn about misperceptions generally is that they are as much an expression of concern as a driver. Cause and effect run in both directions, where we overestimate what we worry about as much as the other way round: this means simplistic myth-busting will have less effect than you might expect, because it misdiagnoses what is partly an emotional and identity issue.
November 5, 2025 at 5:10 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
Prof @richardjmurphy.bsky.social proposes a number of tax measures that the Chancellor could implement instead of raising basic income tax rates

www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2025/11...
If Reeves wishes to make the tax system fairer and raise substantial revenue, she should begin where the money really is, which is in wealth, and not wages. Four straightforward reforms would achieve more than any blanket increase in income tax: An investment income surcharge. Apply an additional tax rate to income from interest, dividends, and rents, sources overwhelmingly concentrated among the wealthiest households, largely to address the fact that national insurance is not paid on these sources, and Reeves could find much of the tax she is supposedly looking for. Equalise capital gains tax with income tax. There is no moral or economic justification for favouring returns from ownership over returns from labour. These rates should be the same. Charge VAT on banking and financial services. These sectors are currently exempt, which favours the wealthy who are the predominant purchasers of their services. Restrict pension tax reliefs for high earners. The subsidies here are hugely regressive, turning pension contributions into tools of tax avoidance rather than social insurance.
November 4, 2025 at 8:15 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
Devon Live posted this story on Facebook yesterday, with open comments. The jury hadn't retired.

Many comments include opinions about the evidence, mentions of the defendant's character, and claims about the defendant's previous behaviour.

Contempt of court? @barristersecret.bsky.social
"Exeter Live. 19h. Sonny Boyes, 19, denies ten charges including rape and sexual assault." Photo of police car. "Teen accused of Exeter attacks says girls are 'crying rape' 76 comments 7 shares"
October 31, 2025 at 5:07 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
Totally not racist, of course 🙄
Guardian headline: "US will limit number of refugees to 7,500 and give priority to white South Africans" Lead: "Low number represents a dramatic drop after US previously allowed in hundreds ofthousands of people fleeing war and persecution" Guardian staff and agency 16:59 Thu30 October 2025
October 30, 2025 at 5:35 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
Exeter Conservatives stand by their councillor Alison Sheridan who joined far right thugs from hate group Britain First in protesting outside an Exeter hotel housing refugee families.

Women and children staying at the hotel have been subjected to physical intimidation by protesters in recent weeks.
Tory Exeter City councillor Alison Sheridan (in blue) wearing her council lanyard at the far right demo on 23 Aug 2025. Foreground: Britain First North Devon leader Nigel Murfin who has convictions for threatening women. https://www.theprsd.co.uk/2025/08/25/inflammatory-exeter-councillor-caught-up-in-hate-hysteria/ Tweet by Exeter Conservatives @Exeter Tories "ClIr. Sheridan vindicated completely by @ExeterCouncil, which dismissed every complaint against her following the hotel migrant protests. Now will @exetergreens & @ExeterLibDems apologise for their vindictive and hysterical campaign against her? @AntiRacismDay @reformparty_uk " Attached are images of the adjudication. https://x.com/Exeter_Tories_/status/1982109249313415283?s=19
October 27, 2025 at 12:35 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
The fascists were outnumbered 10 to 1!
A bedraggled gaggle of people carrying or wearing British flags trudges along a street
October 25, 2025 at 6:07 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
Good to see Greens, LibDems and Labour united in support of diversity and helping refugees.

#ExeterIsForEveryone
#StandUpToRacism
#CityOfSanctuary
Post by Michael Mitchell on Facebook: "At the pro diversity gathering in Exeter today. Happy to meet up with Cllr Diana Moore the other co-leader of the Progressive Group on Exeter City Council. Also met up with Phil Bialyk the Council Leader at the event."
October 25, 2025 at 1:37 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
Exeter is for Everyone.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Exeter is for Everyone Statement 23rd October 2025 We are deeply concerned that the police have authorised a far-right march through the centre of our city/Exeter, in the High Street. This will be the first time in over 35 years the Devon and Cornwall Police have given permission for a demonstration through the High Street organised by elements on the far right of British politics. We do fear they will bring disorder to our streets. Exeter residents have consistently shown their support for our diverse and wonderful city, whenever the far right has organised events in our city. In 2013 Exeter Together held a march and a celebration on Bedford Square and the far right were routed elsewhere. The police at the time sought to avoid confrontation – and this is what we are calling on police to do once again. Exeter is for Everyone was initiated by Stand Up to Racism. Our Diversity celebration in Bedford Square on 25th October has been planned, and communicated to the police, with on-going liaison for many weeks. Our event has been supported by over 20 organisations in the city. Hundreds of people want to celebrate our diversity and say that the far right march though our city does not represent Exeter. We will be having music and dance and children’s activities. Numerous organisations across the city including many city councillors have expressed disquiet about the effect of such an obviously provocative march being allowed to move through the heart of a proudly multicultural and inclusive city. These expressions of disquiet and objections have seemingly so far fallen on deaf ears, with the Police reiterating their plan for the route of this march. The Police have also added constraints to our event, meaning that we will be restricted to Bedford Square after 12 noon. We call on our supporters to attend our celebration of diversity. We reject their politics of hate and division. We plan an entirely peaceful display of opposition to the far right. We call on the police to rethink their planning for the protest on Saturday 25th October. Exeter has a proud history celebrating our city, our wonderful culture, history and diversity. We are one city, one people. Exeter truly is for everyone. ENDS This poster promotes an anti-racism and anti-discrimination event in Exeter. The main message reads: "Exeter is for EVERYONE". At the top, there are three bold messages: “Stop the scapegoating” “No to Islamophobia” “No to antisemitism” Below the main slogan, black text announces: “OPPOSE THE FAR RIGHT PATRIOTS MARCH – SATURDAY 25TH OCTOBER” and adds an update: “Meet from 11am at Bedford Square on Exeter High Street with family friendly celebration of diversity in Bedford Square from 12 noon.” At the bottom, there’s a row of logos from supporting organizations, including: Stand Up to Racism, National Education Union, Trades Union Councils, Exeter Respect, Green Party (Exeter), Exeter Pride, Amnesty International, Devon Development Education, Climate Action, UNISON, Refugee Support Devon, Inclusive Exeter, Unite Community South Devon, University and College Union (UCU), and others.
October 24, 2025 at 4:27 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
Fascinating that Exeter Labour Party are trying to smear opposing councillors with ideas for tackling Exeter's problems as "talking our city down".
Facebook post by Exeter Labour Party "While other political parties talk our city down, we are proud to champion Exeter as a great place to live, united by our diversity and kindness to each other" Then a long list of "Reasons to be proud of Exeter" https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1f1MRPqkV9/
October 18, 2025 at 10:48 AM
lonwon.bsky.social
Previously, Neil has justified collective punishment against the Palestinians by claiming that they are synonymous with Hamas
Tweet by Andrew Neil @afneil in response to the statement "Only racists think Palestinian people = Hamas": "So who elected Hamas, allowed Hamas to abolish further elections and who aver in polls that if elections were reinstated they'd re-elect Hamas. Is it all the work of the tooth fairy?" 6:44 pm . 15 Oct 23.1.4M Views
October 7, 2025 at 5:03 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
PROTESTORS: Please stop murdering vast numbers of children.

LABOUR PARTY: You're all terrorists.

TORIES: You want to kill all Jews.
Guardian headline: "Pro-Palestine marches have become carnivals of hatred, Badenoch tells Tory conference"
October 5, 2025 at 5:53 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
Under Keir Starmer's leadership, Labour membership has plummeted from half a million to 300,000.

Youth membership has fallen from 100,000 to 30,000.

At conference, lobbyists dominate, not members.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
“It feels quite unusual. There’s not as many people, and the people that are here seem to be more obvious corporate types rather than activist members and delegates. It’s supposed to be a big democratic exercise for the party, but it feels a bit more like a policy convention for policymakers who want to try and get a bit of influence.”
October 1, 2025 at 11:27 AM
lonwon.bsky.social
Labour has banned two left-wing journalists from its conference, including @owenjones.bsky.social
Tweet by Owen Jones @owenjonesjourno "Labour has cancelled my Conference Pass. Absolutely pathetic, Trumpian behaviour. They are here suggesting that attempts to question Cabinet members and MPs about Britain facilitating Israel's senocide is a "safeguarding issue". This is clearly insane." Newspaper headline from 25 Sep: "Prime Minister labels Reform 'cowards' for banning journalists from speaking to council chief"
September 30, 2025 at 3:40 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
Seeing this written down makes me realise just how disappointing Labour has been, even with the low expectations set by the Manifesto.
"As my colleague Archie wrote on polling day, many who wanted the Tories out of government held on to tepid hope that Starmer’s government would truly bring change. But that thin hope soon unravelled. In his first year in office, Labour has stumbled repeatedly: - The government was immediately swamped by the “freebies” row, with Starmer and senior figures criticised for accepting gifts and hospitality, from clothes to concert tickets, after an election campaign in which he pledged to be cleaner than the rest. - Rachel Reeves announced plans to cut the universal winter fuel payment for pensioners, a hugely popular universal benefit, before being forced into a U-turn. - Seven MPs were suspended for backing an amendment to scrap the two-child benefit cap, a draconian response that has accelerated moves on the left to form a new party, with talk of an electoral pact with the Greens." https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/29/monday-briefing-can-labours-crucial-conference-set-the-stage-for-a-comeback "Welfare reforms around disability benefits had to be diluted after a major Labour rebellion. - Starmer condemned racist riots after the Southport killings, but drew criticism for his silence on the anti-immigrant agenda fuelling them. Months later he warned the UK risked becoming “an island of strangers” without getting tougher immigration controls – language widely compared to Enoch Powell, which he later said he regretted. - Labour proscribed Palestine Action under terrorism laws, provoking mass arrests and demonstrations – as well as a political headache. - Seven former government ministers have left since Starmer’s government won power, with at times damaging resignations, such as Angela Rayner’s this summer, amid revelations she had improperly paid stamp duty on a second home. - Starmer defended US ambassador Peter Mandelson over his links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, only to reverse course and sack him days later. The economy remains weak, living costs are biting, and Reform is surging. Polls now suggest Nigel Farage could win a majority." https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/29/monday-briefing-can-labours-crucial-conference-set-the-stage-for-a-comeback
September 29, 2025 at 1:11 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
I realize a lot of these laughs are likely from Russian troll farms, but at least some might be by ghouls radicalised into Far Right demonisation of migrants
Headline from Devon Live Facebook post: "Child dies trying to cross English Channel in small boat" People who reacted All 251 😢 124 😆 64 👍 44
September 28, 2025 at 5:38 PM
lonwon.bsky.social
Is the British government finally prepared to acknowledge the Gazan genocide?
Tweet by Barry Malone @malonebarry '"Unjustifiable," Lammy says of something he's spent two years justifying.' Quoting a tweet containing a video in which David Lammy addresses the UN saying "What is happening in Gaza is indefensible it is inhumane, it is utterly unjustifiable and it must end now' 4:09 pm . 26 Sept 25 . 132K Views https://x.com/malonebarry/status/1971592880927248768?s=19
September 28, 2025 at 8:14 AM