Ruth Dawson
@ruthd.bsky.social
Ex DTI, COI, CBI, LSE & CCC. Current affairs addict also interested in history, theatre, art, reading & beer.
Tout passe, tout casse, tout lasse
Tout passe, tout casse, tout lasse
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
I might sue the BBC myself for bringing JRM back into my consciousness after I’d successfully forgotten who this ludicrous irrelevant tosser twat was.
Jacob-Rees Mogg supports President Trump's right to sue the BBC
He then repeatedly asks Gillian Tett questions but doesn't let her reply, so Victoria Derbyshire has to step in and tell him off
He then repeatedly asks Gillian Tett questions but doesn't let her reply, so Victoria Derbyshire has to step in and tell him off
November 11, 2025 at 7:52 AM
I might sue the BBC myself for bringing JRM back into my consciousness after I’d successfully forgotten who this ludicrous irrelevant tosser twat was.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Follow the incentives.
They don’t believe they will “survive” in power. But they do believe in the options for career advancement afterwards, and who they need to be sweet with.
George Osbourne is “remembered” for austerity, but look at him now.
They don’t believe they will “survive” in power. But they do believe in the options for career advancement afterwards, and who they need to be sweet with.
George Osbourne is “remembered” for austerity, but look at him now.
November 11, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Follow the incentives.
They don’t believe they will “survive” in power. But they do believe in the options for career advancement afterwards, and who they need to be sweet with.
George Osbourne is “remembered” for austerity, but look at him now.
They don’t believe they will “survive” in power. But they do believe in the options for career advancement afterwards, and who they need to be sweet with.
George Osbourne is “remembered” for austerity, but look at him now.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Feels like the McSweeney culture of avoiding territory that Reform voters may disprove of has taken root in the whole Cabinet.
November 11, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Feels like the McSweeney culture of avoiding territory that Reform voters may disprove of has taken root in the whole Cabinet.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
This will be seen as a lost window of opportunity.
Starmer had the chance at this juncture to protect the BBC and save the UK from a far-right billionaire dominated media and soc media onslaught..
He's been so, so disappointing
Starmer had the chance at this juncture to protect the BBC and save the UK from a far-right billionaire dominated media and soc media onslaught..
He's been so, so disappointing
November 11, 2025 at 7:48 AM
This will be seen as a lost window of opportunity.
Starmer had the chance at this juncture to protect the BBC and save the UK from a far-right billionaire dominated media and soc media onslaught..
He's been so, so disappointing
Starmer had the chance at this juncture to protect the BBC and save the UK from a far-right billionaire dominated media and soc media onslaught..
He's been so, so disappointing
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
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 Ruth Dawson
My face is my passport trial at Manchester could be rolled out across UK for returning UK passport holders bit.ly/47UZqM4
No passports please! Airport trial of facial recognition a success
After a test-run at Manchester airport last month, Border Force says new e-gates can ‘considerably reduce’ processing times
bit.ly
November 11, 2025 at 7:55 AM
My face is my passport trial at Manchester could be rolled out across UK for returning UK passport holders bit.ly/47UZqM4
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Joshua refers to the BBC having a “choice between saying sorry and paying $1 billion”. There is also the option of doing neither and defending any claim, wherever it’s brought
Will President Trump sue the BBC for $1 billion? As the US president no doubt intended, it’s a figure that appears in almost every front-page newspaper headline today.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/will-trump...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/will-trump...
Will Trump sue?
Not if the BBC makes sufficient amends this week
rozenberg.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Joshua refers to the BBC having a “choice between saying sorry and paying $1 billion”. There is also the option of doing neither and defending any claim, wherever it’s brought
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Whether in Florida or England presumably contested defamation proceedings would require Trump to submit to cross-examination on his words and actions on and before Jan 6.
November 11, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Whether in Florida or England presumably contested defamation proceedings would require Trump to submit to cross-examination on his words and actions on and before Jan 6.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Yes. The most salient fact is that Trump makes crazy claims eg $10bn from New York Times and never has any likelihood of winning them. But we have an invertebrate political class that will pressure BBC to settle and pay him just like ABC and the others did.
November 11, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Yes. The most salient fact is that Trump makes crazy claims eg $10bn from New York Times and never has any likelihood of winning them. But we have an invertebrate political class that will pressure BBC to settle and pay him just like ABC and the others did.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
I had asked ChatGBT about this, and it had already confirmed what you're saying. As anyone can have access to this AI tool it seems the financial threat to the BBC has been blown up out of all proportion.
I gather even in the US Trump has either lost or withdrawn nearly all defamation lawsuits.
I gather even in the US Trump has either lost or withdrawn nearly all defamation lawsuits.
November 11, 2025 at 7:40 AM
I had asked ChatGBT about this, and it had already confirmed what you're saying. As anyone can have access to this AI tool it seems the financial threat to the BBC has been blown up out of all proportion.
I gather even in the US Trump has either lost or withdrawn nearly all defamation lawsuits.
I gather even in the US Trump has either lost or withdrawn nearly all defamation lawsuits.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
A question not asked by Joshua, but which seems quite important, is whether any judgment by a Florida court (assuming as Joshua does that it would assert jurisdiction) would be enforceable here. Any views?
Will President Trump sue the BBC for $1 billion? As the US president no doubt intended, it’s a figure that appears in almost every front-page newspaper headline today.
rozenberg.substack.com/p/will-trump...
rozenberg.substack.com/p/will-trump...
Will Trump sue?
Not if the BBC makes sufficient amends this week
rozenberg.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:17 AM
A question not asked by Joshua, but which seems quite important, is whether any judgment by a Florida court (assuming as Joshua does that it would assert jurisdiction) would be enforceable here. Any views?
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Lord Patten 100% reflects my view, particularly the point about the dangers of this all undermining our democracy
Remember the likes of Trump and Farage want democracy gone. It doesn't serve their purpose
Remember the likes of Trump and Farage want democracy gone. It doesn't serve their purpose
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
November 11, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Lord Patten 100% reflects my view, particularly the point about the dangers of this all undermining our democracy
Remember the likes of Trump and Farage want democracy gone. It doesn't serve their purpose
Remember the likes of Trump and Farage want democracy gone. It doesn't serve their purpose
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
An excellent analysis of this year's Booker winner.
My thoughts on the Booker winner:
profadamroberts.substack.com/p/david-szal...
profadamroberts.substack.com/p/david-szal...
David Szalay ‘Flesh’ (2025)
The Luck of Barry István
profadamroberts.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:24 AM
An excellent analysis of this year's Booker winner.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Most of our shops have closed because of Amazon.
Call in the troops to solve the commercial real estate crisis in our swanky downtown cores
You can’t make this shit up, folks
You can’t make this shit up, folks
November 11, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Most of our shops have closed because of Amazon.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Staffordshire Reform UK councillor & Portfolio holder for highways apologises for disgusting X posts last year
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 11, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Staffordshire Reform UK councillor & Portfolio holder for highways apologises for disgusting X posts last year
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
The BBC’s contribution to its own downfall, by kowtowing to exactly those people who have been seeking its destruction, is one for the history books.
November 11, 2025 at 7:35 AM
The BBC’s contribution to its own downfall, by kowtowing to exactly those people who have been seeking its destruction, is one for the history books.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
A future of organised drone disruption. Is it heresy to gently point out that the hype around deliveries and air taxis will have to go back in the box?
Britain’s airports will be disrupted by ‘organised’ drone attacks, warns aviation regulator
‘It’s not a question of if, only of when,’ says CAA chief
on.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:35 AM
A future of organised drone disruption. Is it heresy to gently point out that the hype around deliveries and air taxis will have to go back in the box?
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Is that good
Japanese giant SoftBank said Tuesday it has sold its entire stake in tech giant Nvidia for $5.83 billion.
Click here to read more: https://cnb.cx/49LCIs8
Click here to read more: https://cnb.cx/49LCIs8
November 11, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Is that good
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Not only not a surprise, but exactly why Gibb (et al) were put there in the first place.
November 11, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Not only not a surprise, but exactly why Gibb (et al) were put there in the first place.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Gibb & Prescott are now like traitors still wearing their robes appearing at breakfast, having murdered two faithfuls the night before. Everyone always had their suspicions, but by unmasking in such a way it’s only a matter of time before they’re banished now. I doubt many will be sad to see them go
November 11, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Gibb & Prescott are now like traitors still wearing their robes appearing at breakfast, having murdered two faithfuls the night before. Everyone always had their suspicions, but by unmasking in such a way it’s only a matter of time before they’re banished now. I doubt many will be sad to see them go
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
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 7:34 AM
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...
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
This idea of “make people invest more in the FTSE” keeps popping up and it is mental. I couldn’t give a toss about the patriotism of my pension, I care about the returns it provides. I can’t eat patriotism in retirement.
November 11, 2025 at 7:47 AM
This idea of “make people invest more in the FTSE” keeps popping up and it is mental. I couldn’t give a toss about the patriotism of my pension, I care about the returns it provides. I can’t eat patriotism in retirement.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Agree, this seems mad. Have benefited from childcare vouchers and the bike to work in the past – not many perks as it is nowadays but at least these were useful and helped out when needed most. Just up income tax and be done with it.
November 11, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Agree, this seems mad. Have benefited from childcare vouchers and the bike to work in the past – not many perks as it is nowadays but at least these were useful and helped out when needed most. Just up income tax and be done with it.
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
If you think that “the slow vanishing of employee benefits” is a better trade politically than “the other lot saying you broke your promise on income tax”, you are out of your tree: www.ft.com/content/1160...
November 11, 2025 at 12:16 AM
If you think that “the slow vanishing of employee benefits” is a better trade politically than “the other lot saying you broke your promise on income tax”, you are out of your tree: www.ft.com/content/1160...
Reposted by Ruth Dawson
Both this and... this doesn't raise much money! Its a couple of billion here and there: it will not fill the gap in the budget, give you headroom or allow money to invest.
All you're doing is pissing off a lot of core voters for little gain!
All you're doing is pissing off a lot of core voters for little gain!
If you think that “the slow vanishing of employee benefits” is a better trade politically than “the other lot saying you broke your promise on income tax”, you are out of your tree: www.ft.com/content/1160...
November 11, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Both this and... this doesn't raise much money! Its a couple of billion here and there: it will not fill the gap in the budget, give you headroom or allow money to invest.
All you're doing is pissing off a lot of core voters for little gain!
All you're doing is pissing off a lot of core voters for little gain!