Matt
@matthewblott.bsky.social
Bluesky conservative, liberal leaning social democrat everywhere else.
Reposted by Matt
The BBC is far from perfect. But it is obvious that it is now under sustained assault by the far right, for far-right reasons. Every single person accusing the BBC of 'bias' is themselves extremely biased, and while they may have no comparable obligation to be... www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Tim Davie tells BBC staff he sees ‘weaponisation’ as Trump threatens $1bn lawsuit – UK politics live
Outgoing director general says freedom of press under pressure: ‘We have to fight for our journalism’
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:47 AM
The BBC is far from perfect. But it is obvious that it is now under sustained assault by the far right, for far-right reasons. Every single person accusing the BBC of 'bias' is themselves extremely biased, and while they may have no comparable obligation to be... www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
Reposted by Matt
Calls have been made for the press regulator to investigate “systematic failings which lead publishers to keep running fake, likely AI-generated, PR content.”
Rupert Murdoch’s Times humiliated over fake interviews
Calls have been made for the press regulator to investigate “systematic failings which lead publishers to keep running fake, likely AI-generated, PR content.”
leftfootforward.org
November 11, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Calls have been made for the press regulator to investigate “systematic failings which lead publishers to keep running fake, likely AI-generated, PR content.”
Reposted by Matt
Love being reminded to do this every year. It's a win/win all round
November 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Love being reminded to do this every year. It's a win/win all round
Reposted by Matt
It’s apologising season. The audience for BBC output in the US is just over 40 million, not 77 million as I said. That’s the figure for the Americas as a whole. But the BBC is indeed the second most trusted news source in the US.
November 11, 2025 at 10:22 AM
It’s apologising season. The audience for BBC output in the US is just over 40 million, not 77 million as I said. That’s the figure for the Americas as a whole. But the BBC is indeed the second most trusted news source in the US.
Reposted by Matt
Normal brain: the British government should ban Twitter.
Galaxy brain: the British government should BUY Twitter.
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/yes-im-act...
Galaxy brain: the British government should BUY Twitter.
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/yes-im-act...
November 11, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Normal brain: the British government should ban Twitter.
Galaxy brain: the British government should BUY Twitter.
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/yes-im-act...
Galaxy brain: the British government should BUY Twitter.
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/yes-im-act...
I skipped the gym last week trying to get more stuff done and the result was terrible sleep patterns returning meaning I got less stuff done.
November 11, 2025 at 10:30 AM
I skipped the gym last week trying to get more stuff done and the result was terrible sleep patterns returning meaning I got less stuff done.
Reposted by Matt
A single shared source of truth is essential for a functioning democracy.
Without it you’re left with fragmentation, polarisation and a perpetual culture war where the discourse focuses on what divides us rather than what we have in common.
My column from last week: www.ft.com/content/5060...
Without it you’re left with fragmentation, polarisation and a perpetual culture war where the discourse focuses on what divides us rather than what we have in common.
My column from last week: www.ft.com/content/5060...
Why American-style polarisation is spreading across the west
New research shows how incentives in the modern media ecosystem help explain rising division and negativity
www.ft.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
A single shared source of truth is essential for a functioning democracy.
Without it you’re left with fragmentation, polarisation and a perpetual culture war where the discourse focuses on what divides us rather than what we have in common.
My column from last week: www.ft.com/content/5060...
Without it you’re left with fragmentation, polarisation and a perpetual culture war where the discourse focuses on what divides us rather than what we have in common.
My column from last week: www.ft.com/content/5060...
Reposted by Matt
Absolutely disgusted to hear about the racism Wes Streeting mentions here directed at school children who were visiting Parliament.
He has taken the post down, rightly, to protect the children.
But it's wrong that he had to do it.
Disgusted with so many people in our country. Racism is never OK.
He has taken the post down, rightly, to protect the children.
But it's wrong that he had to do it.
Disgusted with so many people in our country. Racism is never OK.
November 11, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Absolutely disgusted to hear about the racism Wes Streeting mentions here directed at school children who were visiting Parliament.
He has taken the post down, rightly, to protect the children.
But it's wrong that he had to do it.
Disgusted with so many people in our country. Racism is never OK.
He has taken the post down, rightly, to protect the children.
But it's wrong that he had to do it.
Disgusted with so many people in our country. Racism is never OK.
Reposted by Matt
“I’m ready to die for my Ukraine and regret that I could do it only once.” - Serhiy Tabal, 18 years old, died resisting Russia on November 6, 2014, during the first phase of the invasion.
Awarded the distinctions "People's Hero of Ukraine." #StandWithUkraine
Awarded the distinctions "People's Hero of Ukraine." #StandWithUkraine
November 10, 2025 at 10:39 PM
“I’m ready to die for my Ukraine and regret that I could do it only once.” - Serhiy Tabal, 18 years old, died resisting Russia on November 6, 2014, during the first phase of the invasion.
Awarded the distinctions "People's Hero of Ukraine." #StandWithUkraine
Awarded the distinctions "People's Hero of Ukraine." #StandWithUkraine
Reposted by Matt
This makes me so angry. It’s one thing to choose junk science for yourself, but a whole other thing to do that to your children. Fuck you anti-vaxxers.
Canada loses measles elimination status as outbreak lasts more than a year vancouversun.com/news/canada-...
November 10, 2025 at 7:43 PM
This makes me so angry. It’s one thing to choose junk science for yourself, but a whole other thing to do that to your children. Fuck you anti-vaxxers.
The AfD is far-Right but it isn't a Nazi organisation (even if it contains sympathisers) - it doesn't have brown shirts beating up the opposition. Banning it is not a good idea, this sort of thing always backfires.
21% of the German population voted for the AfD in last German election. The question of which takes precedence: protecting the German constitution from extremism & extremist parties verses the ability of such parties to govern via democratic elections is a question that will be reckoned with v soon.
German president hints at AfD ban in speech on dangers of extremism
President Steinmeier marks the anniversary of the Nazi Kristallnacht pogroms by warning of the risk posed by parties threatening the postwar constitution
www.thetimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:51 PM
The AfD is far-Right but it isn't a Nazi organisation (even if it contains sympathisers) - it doesn't have brown shirts beating up the opposition. Banning it is not a good idea, this sort of thing always backfires.
Reposted by Matt
Reposted by Matt
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk: “Putin has tools that can destroy the European Union as an organization, but also Europe as a cultural phenomenon.
“These tools are Russia’s fifth columns, present in every country of Europe.”
“These tools are Russia’s fifth columns, present in every country of Europe.”
November 10, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk: “Putin has tools that can destroy the European Union as an organization, but also Europe as a cultural phenomenon.
“These tools are Russia’s fifth columns, present in every country of Europe.”
“These tools are Russia’s fifth columns, present in every country of Europe.”
This is similar to my views. Neoliberalism never left the Tory Party so any challenge to the economic status quo will only ever be rhetorical. That's why I'm sticking with Labour, they're the closest for me.
I’ve been thinking about how no political party quite represents my views.
I’ve outline my ideal policy platform and I ask, which political party do you think best reflects my politics?
open.substack.com/pub/thehotta...
I’ve outline my ideal policy platform and I ask, which political party do you think best reflects my politics?
open.substack.com/pub/thehotta...
What political party should I vote for?
Here is my idea of the perfect policy agenda... but does it make me 'politically homeless?'
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
This is similar to my views. Neoliberalism never left the Tory Party so any challenge to the economic status quo will only ever be rhetorical. That's why I'm sticking with Labour, they're the closest for me.
Reposted by Matt
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
November 10, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?
How on earth do you talk to someone like this?
Imagine being so ignorant you think biological gender makes you more or less capable than others lol. The concept of gendered sports is a joke. Everyone should be competing together or it ruins the idea of a sport, which is a contest of skill, not of gender.
November 10, 2025 at 5:01 PM
How on earth do you talk to someone like this?
Reposted by Matt
BREAKING: Olympics to BAN transgender athletes from all female events after review
www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-...
www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-...
Olympics to ban transgender athletes from all female events after review
An in-depth review into transgender women taking part in female events at the Olympic Games has taken place ahead of the next edition being held in Los Angeles in 2028
www.mirror.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 12:46 PM
BREAKING: Olympics to BAN transgender athletes from all female events after review
www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-...
www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-...
Reposted by Matt
Really enjoyed doing this podcast, in which I defend Labour's immigration strategy on electoral and ethical grounds.
Do give it a listen!
Do give it a listen!
new episode (2/2) - i've argued giving ground on cultural issues is a horrible strategy
@prossertj.bsky.social thinks labour have it right
we debate
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/ukdebate
@prossertj.bsky.social thinks labour have it right
we debate
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com/ukdebate
Should we compromise with the right on immigration?
A debate with Thomas Prosser
www.politicalphilosophypodcast.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Really enjoyed doing this podcast, in which I defend Labour's immigration strategy on electoral and ethical grounds.
Do give it a listen!
Do give it a listen!
A documentary for our time www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Documentary explores whether JMW Turner may have been neurodivergent
Programme uses artist’s sketches, drawings and watercolours to build unprecedented psychological portrait
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:12 AM
A documentary for our time www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Reposted by Matt
Fantastic news!!! www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...
‘Hero’ crew member injured in train mass stabbing regains consciousness
Samir Zitouni was wounded as he protected passengers during attack on an LNER train travelling from Doncaster to London
www.independent.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Fantastic news!!! www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...
Reposted by Matt
I had my disagreements with the BBC under Tim Davie but he was a decent man doing a difficult job.
To see Trump's White House claiming credit for his downfall and attacking the BBC should worry us all.
To see Trump's White House claiming credit for his downfall and attacking the BBC should worry us all.
November 9, 2025 at 8:00 PM
I had my disagreements with the BBC under Tim Davie but he was a decent man doing a difficult job.
To see Trump's White House claiming credit for his downfall and attacking the BBC should worry us all.
To see Trump's White House claiming credit for his downfall and attacking the BBC should worry us all.
Reposted by Matt
One thing not being said - indeed, I think everyone misses this - but the requirement for the BBC to show impartiality and balance relates to the politics of *this* country, there’s no requirement to show some mythical balance globally, only to report the truth without fear or favour.
November 10, 2025 at 8:40 AM
One thing not being said - indeed, I think everyone misses this - but the requirement for the BBC to show impartiality and balance relates to the politics of *this* country, there’s no requirement to show some mythical balance globally, only to report the truth without fear or favour.
Reposted by Matt
Got these new trainers today but I can't get it out of my head that they look like fuckin DC Tosh Lines from The Bill
November 9, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Got these new trainers today but I can't get it out of my head that they look like fuckin DC Tosh Lines from The Bill
Is this furrie porn?
November 10, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Is this furrie porn?
Reposted by Matt
"Democrats could have held the line on the shutdown, and spent weeks watching Trump’s approval ratings fall," writes @jonathanbchait.bsky.social
Instead, he argues, they're making a mistake by giving in:
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Instead, he argues, they're making a mistake by giving in:
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Senate Democrats Just Made a Huge Mistake
The shutdown was hurting Trump. Ending it helps him.
www.theatlantic.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:52 AM
"Democrats could have held the line on the shutdown, and spent weeks watching Trump’s approval ratings fall," writes @jonathanbchait.bsky.social
Instead, he argues, they're making a mistake by giving in:
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Instead, he argues, they're making a mistake by giving in:
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...