David Higham
@oldtrotter.bsky.social
Former economist and civil servant. Former (age related) national cycling champion. Still a music fan. Sewn up member of the Zipper Club.
Pinned
David Higham
@oldtrotter.bsky.social
· Jan 21
Beyond ‘Levelling up’: how to improve regional policy in England: 10 lessons from 20 years
‘Levelling-up’ as a political slogan in the UK may be finished, but a commitment to reducing regional inequalities remains, as highlighted in the 2024 Green Paper on Industrial Strategy. This paper...
www.tandfonline.com
A short summary of my thoughts on regional policy. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Key point in an important thread.
We might also wonder why the BBC entrusts episodes of its leading current affairs strand to outside producers. But that takes us back to Conservative govmt demands, under the guise of market liberalisation, that they shift spending to independents. The slow death of the BBC was planned long ago…
3/3
3/3
November 11, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Key point in an important thread.
Reposted by David Higham
Stoke has run out of brownfield sites that are anywhere near viable. Given the policy focus in the city since the HMR days in the early 2000s, it shouldn't really be a surprise, but most people won't have it. And of course, most don't understand the complexities (not their fault mind)
November 11, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Stoke has run out of brownfield sites that are anywhere near viable. Given the policy focus in the city since the HMR days in the early 2000s, it shouldn't really be a surprise, but most people won't have it. And of course, most don't understand the complexities (not their fault mind)
Reposted by David Higham
The Panorama edit was poor journalism, not sure how it happened (more than 15 yo when I worked there we all had to go on a course because someone made the Queen look grumpy about something in the wrong order). But of all of it, this is the only piece I’ve read that properly nails the issue…
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 11, 2025 at 7:49 AM
The Panorama edit was poor journalism, not sure how it happened (more than 15 yo when I worked there we all had to go on a course because someone made the Queen look grumpy about something in the wrong order). But of all of it, this is the only piece I’ve read that properly nails the issue…
Reposted by David Higham
Newsmax being the company that paid two libel settlements for its false pro-Trump claims about the 2020 election - www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
November 11, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Newsmax being the company that paid two libel settlements for its false pro-Trump claims about the 2020 election - www.pbs.org/newshour/pol...
Reposted by David Higham
You can be assured that tendentious memo by Michael Prescott, and the co-ordinated combination of the Telegraph, Mail, Boris Johnson, Nigel Farage and the White House means that the BBC hit job has been long in the planning, and has some insider help
November 10, 2025 at 11:10 AM
You can be assured that tendentious memo by Michael Prescott, and the co-ordinated combination of the Telegraph, Mail, Boris Johnson, Nigel Farage and the White House means that the BBC hit job has been long in the planning, and has some insider help
Still reflecting on the Rupert Harrison interview on Times Radio yesterday when he argued that it was OK to raise the basic rate of income tax (which hasn’t been raised for fifty years) but that the Chancellor couldn’t raise fuel duty because that had been frozen since 2010 🤔
November 11, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Still reflecting on the Rupert Harrison interview on Times Radio yesterday when he argued that it was OK to raise the basic rate of income tax (which hasn’t been raised for fifty years) but that the Chancellor couldn’t raise fuel duty because that had been frozen since 2010 🤔
Reposted by David Higham
I do not understand the Labour government's reticence over defending the BBC and social media regulation. Their long-term survival basically depends on it. Their cowardice in the face of it may be the single thing they are most remembered for.
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
BBC faces ‘existential’ threat after exit of top executives
Broadcaster’s deepest crisis in recent history comes amid fresh questions over its future role in British society
on.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:35 AM
I do not understand the Labour government's reticence over defending the BBC and social media regulation. Their long-term survival basically depends on it. Their cowardice in the face of it may be the single thing they are most remembered for.
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
Reposted by David Higham
1945 the British made sure that Germanys public broadcasting system would never be taken over by an authoritarian leader again by creating a complicated federal system.
They didn’t see to that at home which has left the BBC vulnerable.
This needs to change now.
They didn’t see to that at home which has left the BBC vulnerable.
This needs to change now.
Well, this is quite a serious allegation. I do hope the BBC shows true impartiality and investigate whether or not some of its Board members are systemically biased. www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC board member with Tory links ‘led charge’ in systemic bias claims, say insiders
Sources say Robbie Gibb amplified criticisms of Trump, Gaza and trans rights coverage, and had ‘a lot of oxygen in the room’
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:40 AM
1945 the British made sure that Germanys public broadcasting system would never be taken over by an authoritarian leader again by creating a complicated federal system.
They didn’t see to that at home which has left the BBC vulnerable.
This needs to change now.
They didn’t see to that at home which has left the BBC vulnerable.
This needs to change now.
Reposted by David Higham
For those wondering here is the post from Joyce Carol Oates that got under Musk's skin big time
November 11, 2025 at 5:49 AM
For those wondering here is the post from Joyce Carol Oates that got under Musk's skin big time
It’s forty years since Lord Heseltine founded the Mersey Basin Campaign so good to see others following his lead.
London has joined the Swimmable Rivers Alliance.
Our rivers have been neglected and damaged for far too long, with shameful levels of pollution harming our waterways. I’m determined to clean them up.
Our rivers have been neglected and damaged for far too long, with shameful levels of pollution harming our waterways. I’m determined to clean them up.
Mayor Khan commits to clean our rivers as London joins Swimmable Cities alliance - Outdoor Swimmer Magazine
London joins cities including Paris, Rotterdam and Budapest in the global drive to restore urban waterways and make them safe, clean, and accessible for swimming
outdoorswimmer.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:43 AM
It’s forty years since Lord Heseltine founded the Mersey Basin Campaign so good to see others following his lead.
I wish he’d sue them over Mrs Brown’s Boys. Now that would be a contribution towards a better world.
November 10, 2025 at 9:55 PM
I wish he’d sue them over Mrs Brown’s Boys. Now that would be a contribution towards a better world.
Reposted by David Higham
Musk is a deeply fragile character who wants more than anything to be admired and respected, even loved. His tragedy is that he has literally no idea how to achieve that. His curse is that everything he says or does fuels precisely the opposite outcome.
I think this one has got to him because he's posted at least three separate responses to this over the last 10 hours:
November 10, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Musk is a deeply fragile character who wants more than anything to be admired and respected, even loved. His tragedy is that he has literally no idea how to achieve that. His curse is that everything he says or does fuels precisely the opposite outcome.
Reposted by David Higham
“When I was [at the BBC], at the height of Boris Johnson’s strength, that fear was ubiquitous. Scripts were sometimes written with a view not solely to their impartiality or truth, but the management of perception of impartiality from one side of the spectrum.“ @lewisgoodall.com
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
goodallandgoodluck.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:21 PM
“When I was [at the BBC], at the height of Boris Johnson’s strength, that fear was ubiquitous. Scripts were sometimes written with a view not solely to their impartiality or truth, but the management of perception of impartiality from one side of the spectrum.“ @lewisgoodall.com
Reposted by David Higham
Michael Prescott's report makes vital points about the importance of being accurate, and also how difficult that is. For instance, he describes himself as having been Political Editor of the Sunday Times for 10 years, which is not what the Guardian reported when he left the job.
November 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Michael Prescott's report makes vital points about the importance of being accurate, and also how difficult that is. For instance, he describes himself as having been Political Editor of the Sunday Times for 10 years, which is not what the Guardian reported when he left the job.
I didn't have Reform playing the populist card in relation to charging for premium car parking at the Trafford Centre. This is simply TC seeking to squeeze some of the consumer surplus out of its customers and nothing to do with "car crime". The TC has 10,000 free car parking spaces.
November 10, 2025 at 7:07 PM
I didn't have Reform playing the populist card in relation to charging for premium car parking at the Trafford Centre. This is simply TC seeking to squeeze some of the consumer surplus out of its customers and nothing to do with "car crime". The TC has 10,000 free car parking spaces.
Looks like he's planning to shake down the BBC as well Donald Trump threatens to sue BBC for $1bn over January 6 speech edit - on.ft.com/47yv0jR via @FT
Donald Trump threatens to sue BBC for $1bn over January 6 speech edit
Broadcaster’s chair admits ‘error of judgement’ over clip but hits out at memo that prompted bosses’ resignations
on.ft.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Looks like he's planning to shake down the BBC as well Donald Trump threatens to sue BBC for $1bn over January 6 speech edit - on.ft.com/47yv0jR via @FT
Reposted by David Higham
In shock news, it turns out that Brexit punched the UK economy in the face, much in the way that official forecasts in 2016 said it would punch the UK economy in the face, that were dismissed as nonsense by lying rightwing shills at the time.
Headline from a serious and long working paper on the economic impact of Brexit. Possible that this has been feeding into OBR and HMT discussions?
November 10, 2025 at 9:40 AM
In shock news, it turns out that Brexit punched the UK economy in the face, much in the way that official forecasts in 2016 said it would punch the UK economy in the face, that were dismissed as nonsense by lying rightwing shills at the time.
I’ve walked into a parallel universe where Farage of all people is accusing the BBC of bias and electoral interference. Yes, that’s the same Farage to whom the BBC has relentlessly given a platform.
November 10, 2025 at 1:39 PM
I’ve walked into a parallel universe where Farage of all people is accusing the BBC of bias and electoral interference. Yes, that’s the same Farage to whom the BBC has relentlessly given a platform.
Reposted by David Higham
In 'How They Broke Britain', I do a pretty good job of detailing the depth & breadth of Tufton Street/Tory/Murdoch/Mail attempts to scupper the BBC, even as I castigate some presenters for going too easy on precisely the people who seek the Corporation's abolition. But I should have done more. 1/2
November 10, 2025 at 9:23 AM
In 'How They Broke Britain', I do a pretty good job of detailing the depth & breadth of Tufton Street/Tory/Murdoch/Mail attempts to scupper the BBC, even as I castigate some presenters for going too easy on precisely the people who seek the Corporation's abolition. But I should have done more. 1/2
Reposted by David Higham
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?
Reposted by David Higham
"Friends of Robbie Gibb" told Nick Robinson that, while he thought there was a problem, he hdidn't see why Tim Davie had to resign. Which raises the amusing possibility that Davie literally just couldn't be fucked doing a job that required him to Robbie fucking Gibb all the time.
November 10, 2025 at 11:34 AM
"Friends of Robbie Gibb" told Nick Robinson that, while he thought there was a problem, he hdidn't see why Tim Davie had to resign. Which raises the amusing possibility that Davie literally just couldn't be fucked doing a job that required him to Robbie fucking Gibb all the time.
A grifter writes
November 10, 2025 at 12:44 PM
A grifter writes
Reposted by David Higham
Robbie Gibb once suggested that reporters should reflect if they were getting more retweets from one side than the other - a braindead analysis that ignores that fair and impartial reporting of education might get more Tory retweets than say, criminal justice.
Stephen really does have the best take on this. It’s not clear that the BBC Board or indeed the rest of the News team really understood the message of the previous reviews, which were about getting detail right. Instead they wanted to know what was ‘biased’ or not like they were blotting out stains.
The impossible dream some people on the British right are chasing is that you can have a BBC News operation that retreats from detail and expertise, that takes dictation from the government, but this will only create incompetence and failure when it suits you:
November 10, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Robbie Gibb once suggested that reporters should reflect if they were getting more retweets from one side than the other - a braindead analysis that ignores that fair and impartial reporting of education might get more Tory retweets than say, criminal justice.
Reposted by David Higham
Stephen really does have the best take on this. It’s not clear that the BBC Board or indeed the rest of the News team really understood the message of the previous reviews, which were about getting detail right. Instead they wanted to know what was ‘biased’ or not like they were blotting out stains.
The impossible dream some people on the British right are chasing is that you can have a BBC News operation that retreats from detail and expertise, that takes dictation from the government, but this will only create incompetence and failure when it suits you:
To fix the BBC, focus on competence and cash
Corporation fails to learn from criticism, while politicians have consciously reduced its scope for quality journalism
www.ft.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Stephen really does have the best take on this. It’s not clear that the BBC Board or indeed the rest of the News team really understood the message of the previous reviews, which were about getting detail right. Instead they wanted to know what was ‘biased’ or not like they were blotting out stains.