Peter Holmes
@pholmes8.bsky.social
Semi-retired trade economist, Emeritus @ UKTPO Sussex. Posts about Brexit, Freeports, WTO and anything else that catches my fancy. Migrating across from other place. Tweeted as @pholmes8. Blogs with others at https://blogs.sussex.ac.uk/uktpo/blog/
Reposted by Peter Holmes
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 Peter Holmes
It would be funny, if it wasn't tragic, reading this from four years ago about the 'independent' expert who wrote the report into purported leftwing bias at the BBC. It's just embarrassingly amateur - but it works because the Government is awol. www.theguardian.com/media/2021/n...
Lobbyist at firm with close ties to Tories will help select Ofcom chair
Appointment of Michael Prescott as interviewer follows move to give Paul Dacre chance to reapply
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:08 PM
It would be funny, if it wasn't tragic, reading this from four years ago about the 'independent' expert who wrote the report into purported leftwing bias at the BBC. It's just embarrassingly amateur - but it works because the Government is awol. www.theguardian.com/media/2021/n...
Reposted by Peter Holmes
If you've ever needed a reason to rally behind the BBC then this is it.
November 10, 2025 at 4:09 PM
If you've ever needed a reason to rally behind the BBC then this is it.
Reposted by Peter Holmes
It’s what I was going on about here: bsky.app/profile/toma...
If it’s right (and I don’t know anymore than anyone else here), it’s an obituary for the political project anyway so I guess…sure? It’s not really about the fiscal headroom. It’s that the manifesto red lines are themselves causing the market to doubt the capacity of the government to tax if required
Terrific (and gutsy) Inside Politics by David today:
November 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM
It’s what I was going on about here: bsky.app/profile/toma...
Reposted by Peter Holmes
www.facebook.com/share/p/19C1...
My friend Mark Mardell was chucked off his Turkish Airlines flight at the weekend because he had Parkinson’s and his son had asked for assistance for him. (He’s written about it as a public post on Facebook but the link is proving hard to share outside,)
My friend Mark Mardell was chucked off his Turkish Airlines flight at the weekend because he had Parkinson’s and his son had asked for assistance for him. (He’s written about it as a public post on Facebook but the link is proving hard to share outside,)
October 27, 2025 at 6:00 AM
www.facebook.com/share/p/19C1...
My friend Mark Mardell was chucked off his Turkish Airlines flight at the weekend because he had Parkinson’s and his son had asked for assistance for him. (He’s written about it as a public post on Facebook but the link is proving hard to share outside,)
My friend Mark Mardell was chucked off his Turkish Airlines flight at the weekend because he had Parkinson’s and his son had asked for assistance for him. (He’s written about it as a public post on Facebook but the link is proving hard to share outside,)
Reposted by Peter Holmes
What IS shocking is the disinformation hellsite that is X and the frankly appalling GB News which for reasons known only to OFCOM is allowed to keep using "news" in its title.
November 10, 2025 at 9:02 AM
What IS shocking is the disinformation hellsite that is X and the frankly appalling GB News which for reasons known only to OFCOM is allowed to keep using "news" in its title.
Reposted by Peter Holmes
Fair to say appeasement tested to destruction....
The resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness must be an opportunity for the BBC to turn a new leaf, rebuild trust and resist 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.
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
November 9, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Fair to say appeasement tested to destruction....
Reposted by Peter Holmes
In 2020, Boris Johnson said that Trump "encouraged people to storm the Capitol ... I believe that that was completely wrong. ... I unreservedly condemn encouraging people to behave in the disgraceful way that they did in the Capitol".
Does he still think that?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgCi...
Does he still think that?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgCi...
Boris Johnson condemns Trump after Capitol attack: 'Completely wrong'
YouTube video by Guardian News
www.youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:08 PM
In 2020, Boris Johnson said that Trump "encouraged people to storm the Capitol ... I believe that that was completely wrong. ... I unreservedly condemn encouraging people to behave in the disgraceful way that they did in the Capitol".
Does he still think that?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgCi...
Does he still think that?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgCi...
Reposted by Peter Holmes
This is absolutely nuts
Trump did incite the January 6 riot. Splicing a video to make that point is shoddy editorial but hardly a resignation event
When BBC is needed more than ever, Telegraph/Boris Johnson running the show
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
Trump did incite the January 6 riot. Splicing a video to make that point is shoddy editorial but hardly a resignation event
When BBC is needed more than ever, Telegraph/Boris Johnson running the show
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
BBC director general Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness resign over Trump documentary edit
Davie says
www.bbc.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 6:12 PM
This is absolutely nuts
Trump did incite the January 6 riot. Splicing a video to make that point is shoddy editorial but hardly a resignation event
When BBC is needed more than ever, Telegraph/Boris Johnson running the show
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
Trump did incite the January 6 riot. Splicing a video to make that point is shoddy editorial but hardly a resignation event
When BBC is needed more than ever, Telegraph/Boris Johnson running the show
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
Reposted by Peter Holmes
I like how the caption on this photo reads as if he's making a claim that could not be independently verified.
November 6, 2025 at 8:19 PM
I like how the caption on this photo reads as if he's making a claim that could not be independently verified.
BBC DG resigns for not being right-wing enough!
Davie and Turness resign from the BBC, ironically after the Right whip up confected outrage about a Trump documentary.
Now there’s a chance to get someone sympathetic to the BBC into the top job.
Now there’s a chance to get someone sympathetic to the BBC into the top job.
BBC director general Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness resign over Trump documentary edit
Deborah Turness, the CEO of news, says “mistakes have been made”.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 6:22 PM
BBC DG resigns for not being right-wing enough!
Reposted by Peter Holmes
Davie and Turness resign from the BBC, ironically after the Right whip up confected outrage about a Trump documentary.
Now there’s a chance to get someone sympathetic to the BBC into the top job.
Now there’s a chance to get someone sympathetic to the BBC into the top job.
BBC director general Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness resign over Trump documentary edit
Deborah Turness, the CEO of news, says “mistakes have been made”.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Davie and Turness resign from the BBC, ironically after the Right whip up confected outrage about a Trump documentary.
Now there’s a chance to get someone sympathetic to the BBC into the top job.
Now there’s a chance to get someone sympathetic to the BBC into the top job.
Reposted by Peter Holmes
Who are these people forcing Trump and his entourage to watch the BBC?
November 8, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Who are these people forcing Trump and his entourage to watch the BBC?
Reposted by Peter Holmes
Bad news for the right wing extremist 'London has fallen' crowd...
London just named Best City in the World for 2026 - making it 11 consecutive years it has had that accolade, including every year that Sadiq Khan has been Mayor.
Will that cheer up the saddos?
London just named Best City in the World for 2026 - making it 11 consecutive years it has had that accolade, including every year that Sadiq Khan has been Mayor.
Will that cheer up the saddos?
November 8, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Bad news for the right wing extremist 'London has fallen' crowd...
London just named Best City in the World for 2026 - making it 11 consecutive years it has had that accolade, including every year that Sadiq Khan has been Mayor.
Will that cheer up the saddos?
London just named Best City in the World for 2026 - making it 11 consecutive years it has had that accolade, including every year that Sadiq Khan has been Mayor.
Will that cheer up the saddos?
Reposted by Peter Holmes
🩸🩸🩸 I'm going to post this video every day so we never forget what the POS 34x convicted felon, DEADLY INSURRECTIONIST, adjudicated rapist & pedophile Donald Trump did 🩸🩸🩸
November 8, 2025 at 3:43 PM
🩸🩸🩸 I'm going to post this video every day so we never forget what the POS 34x convicted felon, DEADLY INSURRECTIONIST, adjudicated rapist & pedophile Donald Trump did 🩸🩸🩸
Reposted by Peter Holmes
Meanwhile, if anyone thinks there are are many Reform voters who think "I have zero trust in Labour on immigration, the small boats are still arriving, but *this* latest gesture at hardline policy is the one that will make me look again" I have a bridge to sell you. So who is this policy for?
November 8, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Meanwhile, if anyone thinks there are are many Reform voters who think "I have zero trust in Labour on immigration, the small boats are still arriving, but *this* latest gesture at hardline policy is the one that will make me look again" I have a bridge to sell you. So who is this policy for?
Reposted by Peter Holmes
Any concessions agreed as part of Starmer's so-called 'reset' will come at a price.
Surely it would be better to pay more & get much more back in return, not least our EU citizenship?
www.irishtimes.com/business/202...
Surely it would be better to pay more & get much more back in return, not least our EU citizenship?
www.irishtimes.com/business/202...
EU demands UK pay into budget as part of relationship ‘reset’
Growing tension between London and Brussels just six months after summit set out to build stronger ties
www.irishtimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Any concessions agreed as part of Starmer's so-called 'reset' will come at a price.
Surely it would be better to pay more & get much more back in return, not least our EU citizenship?
www.irishtimes.com/business/202...
Surely it would be better to pay more & get much more back in return, not least our EU citizenship?
www.irishtimes.com/business/202...
Reposted by Peter Holmes
"Seizing Brexit opportunities to deregulate" was mostly unspecified magic fairy pixie bullshit then, and it's not going to get any more realistic in the hands of a bunch of Reform clowns who don't know how anything works, don't care to learn and disdain anyone that might.
November 8, 2025 at 9:18 AM
"Seizing Brexit opportunities to deregulate" was mostly unspecified magic fairy pixie bullshit then, and it's not going to get any more realistic in the hands of a bunch of Reform clowns who don't know how anything works, don't care to learn and disdain anyone that might.
Reposted by Peter Holmes
🚨🚨 Vg news: #NATO has now surpassed #Russia in ammunition production after a period when Moscow outpaced the entire alliance’s output according to NATO SG Mark Rutte. 🧵
kyivindependent.com/nato-has-rev...
kyivindependent.com/nato-has-rev...
NATO has reversed Russia’s edge in ammunition production, Rutte says
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged member states and their defense industries to "outgun, outproduce, and outsmart those that seek to harm or diminish us."
kyivindependent.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:21 PM
🚨🚨 Vg news: #NATO has now surpassed #Russia in ammunition production after a period when Moscow outpaced the entire alliance’s output according to NATO SG Mark Rutte. 🧵
kyivindependent.com/nato-has-rev...
kyivindependent.com/nato-has-rev...
Reposted by Peter Holmes
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
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 7:23 AM
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Peter Holmes
🚨🚨This is stellar investigative journalism by @kaitlintosh.bsky.social and @michelleinezsimon.bsky.social on how #elonmusk is boosting the #british right. 🧵 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 7:51 AM
🚨🚨This is stellar investigative journalism by @kaitlintosh.bsky.social and @michelleinezsimon.bsky.social on how #elonmusk is boosting the #british right. 🧵 news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Peter Holmes
Reposted by Peter Holmes
Disappointing to see this response by @chrisbryant1962.bsky.social on the question of scrutiny of trade agreements.
The U.K. system under CRaG is hopeless. Everyone knows it. Labour’s approach is exactly the same as the Conservatives. Shameful.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
The U.K. system under CRaG is hopeless. Everyone knows it. Labour’s approach is exactly the same as the Conservatives. Shameful.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
questions-statements.parliament.uk
November 4, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Disappointing to see this response by @chrisbryant1962.bsky.social on the question of scrutiny of trade agreements.
The U.K. system under CRaG is hopeless. Everyone knows it. Labour’s approach is exactly the same as the Conservatives. Shameful.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
The U.K. system under CRaG is hopeless. Everyone knows it. Labour’s approach is exactly the same as the Conservatives. Shameful.
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-ques...
Reposted by Peter Holmes
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 Peter Holmes
In case you missed it
Immigration, indecency, and incompetence. New post on my Brexit & Brexitism Blog. The ever-more indecent terms of the immigration 'debate' are another failure of Brexit, which links to the ever-more obvious incompetence of Reform in local government: chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/2025/10/immi...
November 2, 2025 at 10:37 AM
In case you missed it