Mark Crombie
@northofwatford.bsky.social
Indie music, education, popular and unpopular culture, Some other random stuff.
Reposted by Mark Crombie
While other organisations brush off minor mistakes, the BBC spends days self-flagellating like a mentally-disturbed medieval monk - but only if the criticisms have come from the right. They literally couldn't give a toss if they're being attacked from the centre or left.
November 10, 2025 at 1:14 PM
While other organisations brush off minor mistakes, the BBC spends days self-flagellating like a mentally-disturbed medieval monk - but only if the criticisms have come from the right. They literally couldn't give a toss if they're being attacked from the centre or left.
Reposted by Mark Crombie
It now looks a v difficult somewhat poisoned chalice for anybody - but might it prove an accidental over-reach for the political appointees of the 2019-2022 governments to have now brought down the DG (historically, a co-partisan, with a BBC track record) *after* a change of the party of government?
November 10, 2025 at 11:08 PM
It now looks a v difficult somewhat poisoned chalice for anybody - but might it prove an accidental over-reach for the political appointees of the 2019-2022 governments to have now brought down the DG (historically, a co-partisan, with a BBC track record) *after* a change of the party of government?
Reposted by Mark Crombie
"They are so convinced their politics isn’t really politics, but just some default setting shared with much of the country..."
True of so many commentators on the Right.
True of so many commentators on the Right.
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...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:21 PM
"They are so convinced their politics isn’t really politics, but just some default setting shared with much of the country..."
True of so many commentators on the Right.
True of so many commentators on the Right.
Reposted by Mark Crombie
The fact that the BBC has made serious culpable errors does not negate the point that there is a real and concerted right-wing media campaign to destroy it. Both points can be true at the same time and the campaign would not end even if the errors did.
November 10, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The fact that the BBC has made serious culpable errors does not negate the point that there is a real and concerted right-wing media campaign to destroy it. Both points can be true at the same time and the campaign would not end even if the errors did.
Reposted by Mark Crombie
From this @newstatesman1913.bsky.social article published last week ...
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
Nigel Farage can be stopped
Reform’s onward march is not inevitable. Across the world, progressives are actually winning
www.newstatesman.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:40 AM
From this @newstatesman1913.bsky.social article published last week ...
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
www.newstatesman.com/internationa...
Reposted by Mark Crombie
Reposted by Mark Crombie
Two Minutes Of Silence
Neil Finn/Mark Hart/Nick Seymour/Matt Sherrod
Two Minutes Of Silence — Neil Finn website share.google/t2TsxxDEjlR5...
Neil Finn/Mark Hart/Nick Seymour/Matt Sherrod
Two Minutes Of Silence — Neil Finn website share.google/t2TsxxDEjlR5...
Two Minutes Of Silence — Neil Finn website
Official lyrics and story behind the Crowded House song.
share.google
November 9, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Two Minutes Of Silence
Neil Finn/Mark Hart/Nick Seymour/Matt Sherrod
Two Minutes Of Silence — Neil Finn website share.google/t2TsxxDEjlR5...
Neil Finn/Mark Hart/Nick Seymour/Matt Sherrod
Two Minutes Of Silence — Neil Finn website share.google/t2TsxxDEjlR5...
Reposted by Mark Crombie
#BBCNews - ADHD services shutting door to new adult NHS patients as demand soars, BBC finds
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
ADHD services shutting door to new NHS patients as demand soars, BBC finds
A BBC investigation finds that a host of areas in England are closing waiting lists and others are rationing care.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 7:49 AM
#BBCNews - ADHD services shutting door to new adult NHS patients as demand soars, BBC finds
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Mark Crombie
What if there was a consensus on the tax reforms the UK needs?
What if it was backed by policy experts from think tanks across the political spectrum, from the Adam Smith Institute to the Resolution Foundation?
The consensus is real. The question is: will anyone act on it?
What if it was backed by policy experts from think tanks across the political spectrum, from the Adam Smith Institute to the Resolution Foundation?
The consensus is real. The question is: will anyone act on it?
November 5, 2025 at 9:51 AM
What if there was a consensus on the tax reforms the UK needs?
What if it was backed by policy experts from think tanks across the political spectrum, from the Adam Smith Institute to the Resolution Foundation?
The consensus is real. The question is: will anyone act on it?
What if it was backed by policy experts from think tanks across the political spectrum, from the Adam Smith Institute to the Resolution Foundation?
The consensus is real. The question is: will anyone act on it?
Reposted by Mark Crombie
I wanted to do this 15 years ago but only got support to create the option for schools to do this voluntarily. Would make a big difference.
A quota of 15% of school places should be given to pupils eligible for free school meals to ensure they have an equitable chance of attending an effective school, @bristoluni.bsky.social research suggests
Call for schools to have FSM pupil places quota
Giving pupils who receive free school meals priority for 15 per cent of places in schools could create a more equitable admissions system, researchers suggest
www.tes.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:51 AM
I wanted to do this 15 years ago but only got support to create the option for schools to do this voluntarily. Would make a big difference.
Reposted by Mark Crombie
X is designed to radicalise people.
The algorithm promotes Elon Musk's agenda to promote racists and people who want violence bought - specifically - to the streets of Britain.
Members of Parliament, major institutions and the media should not be there.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
The algorithm promotes Elon Musk's agenda to promote racists and people who want violence bought - specifically - to the streets of Britain.
Members of Parliament, major institutions and the media should not be there.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:53 AM
X is designed to radicalise people.
The algorithm promotes Elon Musk's agenda to promote racists and people who want violence bought - specifically - to the streets of Britain.
Members of Parliament, major institutions and the media should not be there.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
The algorithm promotes Elon Musk's agenda to promote racists and people who want violence bought - specifically - to the streets of Britain.
Members of Parliament, major institutions and the media should not be there.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Mark Crombie
It's out: The epic of the Labour party, from Keir Hardie to Keir Starmer. An endless tragicomic cycle in which right and left try to murder each other, succeed, fall apart, are murdered in turn, and then begin anew.
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 Welcome back to Origin Story season eight: The Story of Socialism. This week, in the year of its 125th anniversary, @iandunt.bsky.social and @dorianlynskey.bsky.social begin the tale of the UK Labour Party, from Keir Hardie to Keir Starmer 👉 linktr.ee/originstoryp...
#labour #podcast
#labour #podcast
November 5, 2025 at 9:43 AM
It's out: The epic of the Labour party, from Keir Hardie to Keir Starmer. An endless tragicomic cycle in which right and left try to murder each other, succeed, fall apart, are murdered in turn, and then begin anew.
Reposted by Mark Crombie
“The sad truth is that reader interest in African stories is very low; whereas in Israel and Gaza it is high. Data analysis allows media outlets to count these views and clicks very carefully — and take them into account when deciding whether to commission expensive foreign assignments.”
This is a really good piece from @joshglancy.bsky.social. Far from “whataboutery“, it’s a genuine attempt to to wrestle with a disturbing and peculiar feature of contemporary politics, namely “why is the world quite so obsessed with Israel and Palestine?” www.jewishnews.co.uk/the-world-wa...
The world was outraged by Gaza. So why doesn’t it care about Sudan? - Jewish News
Sudan’s horror is plain to see. The hypocrisy and indifference is harder to watch
www.jewishnews.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM
“The sad truth is that reader interest in African stories is very low; whereas in Israel and Gaza it is high. Data analysis allows media outlets to count these views and clicks very carefully — and take them into account when deciding whether to commission expensive foreign assignments.”
Reposted by Mark Crombie
Here are 12 debut albums from 2010 which we think are worthy for consideration (especially the last one) when voting commences on November the 14th for #5debutalbums1014
(listed by release date)
Artists are listed in a reply
(listed by release date)
Artists are listed in a reply
November 3, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Here are 12 debut albums from 2010 which we think are worthy for consideration (especially the last one) when voting commences on November the 14th for #5debutalbums1014
(listed by release date)
Artists are listed in a reply
(listed by release date)
Artists are listed in a reply
Reposted by Mark Crombie
If Reform won it would be an opportunity for Marshall to kill the BBC. He sees it through the lens of conspiracy theorists who were radicalised during the pandemic - as state propaganda. There is nothing the BBC can do to appease positions that aren’t reality based.
November 4, 2025 at 7:38 PM
If Reform won it would be an opportunity for Marshall to kill the BBC. He sees it through the lens of conspiracy theorists who were radicalised during the pandemic - as state propaganda. There is nothing the BBC can do to appease positions that aren’t reality based.
Reposted by Mark Crombie
Samir Zitouni, 48, remains in critical condition after the LNER rail employee heroically risked his life to save others from the attempts at murder on the Peterborough/Huntingdon train
news.sky.com/story/train-...
news.sky.com/story/train-...
Train company LNER 'extremely proud' of rail worker in critical condition after mass stabbing as family call him 'hero'
Samir Zitouni, 48, was injured while trying to protect passengers during the mass stabbing on Saturday.
news.sky.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Samir Zitouni, 48, remains in critical condition after the LNER rail employee heroically risked his life to save others from the attempts at murder on the Peterborough/Huntingdon train
news.sky.com/story/train-...
news.sky.com/story/train-...
Reposted by Mark Crombie
I note that many of the most vocal who had much to say within minutes of Saturday’s appalling events are rather quieter today. But they’ll be back. I wrote about the radical right misinformation machine centred on X in @theipaper.com inews.co.uk/opinion/a-su...
Lewis Goodall on X: "Train worker hero credited with saving lives in the Huntingdon knife attack named as Samir Zitouni. https://t.co/rFIGBZjfqt" / X
Train worker hero credited with saving lives in the Huntingdon knife attack named as Samir Zitouni. https://t.co/rFIGBZjfqt
x.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:54 PM
I note that many of the most vocal who had much to say within minutes of Saturday’s appalling events are rather quieter today. But they’ll be back. I wrote about the radical right misinformation machine centred on X in @theipaper.com inews.co.uk/opinion/a-su...
Reposted by Mark Crombie
Train worker hero credited with saving lives in the Huntingdon knife attack named as Samir Zitouni.
November 4, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Train worker hero credited with saving lives in the Huntingdon knife attack named as Samir Zitouni.
Reposted by Mark Crombie
Notable in today's YouGov that the centre/left bloc - Lab/Green/LD/SNP are on 54%. With Reform/Tories on 43%. That's the biggest differential in a long time.
I think useful to track blocs given instability between parties at the moment.
I think useful to track blocs given instability between parties at the moment.
November 4, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Notable in today's YouGov that the centre/left bloc - Lab/Green/LD/SNP are on 54%. With Reform/Tories on 43%. That's the biggest differential in a long time.
I think useful to track blocs given instability between parties at the moment.
I think useful to track blocs given instability between parties at the moment.
@bbcnewsnight.bsky.social
u turns out in force with Reform tonight
First the ditching of the pledge for 90 billion of tax cuts.
Now the admission from Yusuf that Farage ‘has had a system upgrade’ (quite the phrase)
Fortunately we all kept receipts on his vocal support for the Truss mini budget.
u turns out in force with Reform tonight
First the ditching of the pledge for 90 billion of tax cuts.
Now the admission from Yusuf that Farage ‘has had a system upgrade’ (quite the phrase)
Fortunately we all kept receipts on his vocal support for the Truss mini budget.
November 4, 2025 at 12:08 AM
@bbcnewsnight.bsky.social
u turns out in force with Reform tonight
First the ditching of the pledge for 90 billion of tax cuts.
Now the admission from Yusuf that Farage ‘has had a system upgrade’ (quite the phrase)
Fortunately we all kept receipts on his vocal support for the Truss mini budget.
u turns out in force with Reform tonight
First the ditching of the pledge for 90 billion of tax cuts.
Now the admission from Yusuf that Farage ‘has had a system upgrade’ (quite the phrase)
Fortunately we all kept receipts on his vocal support for the Truss mini budget.
Bet you can’t make this at home with instant coffee though can you?
November 2, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Bet you can’t make this at home with instant coffee though can you?
Beautiful morning in Birmingham St Paul’s square.
November 2, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Beautiful morning in Birmingham St Paul’s square.
Reposted by Mark Crombie
One potential factor in X radicalisation/racism which shouldn’t be ignored is the financial incentive to be outrageous/widely-shared. Rupert Lowe - whose payments we know as he has to declare them - can clear £5,000 a month in X payments.
November 2, 2025 at 5:57 PM
One potential factor in X radicalisation/racism which shouldn’t be ignored is the financial incentive to be outrageous/widely-shared. Rupert Lowe - whose payments we know as he has to declare them - can clear £5,000 a month in X payments.
Reposted by Mark Crombie
I know this won't surprise anyone here but Musk's reprogrammed artificial intelligence is spreading misinformation about yesterday's attack on a train
November 2, 2025 at 7:41 PM
I know this won't surprise anyone here but Musk's reprogrammed artificial intelligence is spreading misinformation about yesterday's attack on a train
Reposted by Mark Crombie
X, Grok, Musk cannot be trusted to provide reliable, accurate information. British government and MPs should not be on the platform.
I know this won't surprise anyone here but Musk's reprogrammed artificial intelligence is spreading misinformation about yesterday's attack on a train
November 2, 2025 at 10:21 PM
X, Grok, Musk cannot be trusted to provide reliable, accurate information. British government and MPs should not be on the platform.