@westerneuropean
@westerneuropean.bsky.social
Retired university administrator. Interests include: Climate change, Brexit, UK Economy, Politics, Education, History and Music.
Based in Devon, UK
Based in Devon, UK
Reposted by @westerneuropean
Very interesting piece, including the extract below which has the ring of truth
November 10, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Very interesting piece, including the extract below which has the ring of truth
Reposted by @westerneuropean
Remarkable.
Decades long records falling tonight.
Tampa's is 133 years old. Lakeland could beat their daily record by 10 degrees!! and have their earliest coldest day on record!
Sub-freezing Nature Coast with freeze expected!
Decades long records falling tonight.
Tampa's is 133 years old. Lakeland could beat their daily record by 10 degrees!! and have their earliest coldest day on record!
Sub-freezing Nature Coast with freeze expected!
November 10, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Remarkable.
Decades long records falling tonight.
Tampa's is 133 years old. Lakeland could beat their daily record by 10 degrees!! and have their earliest coldest day on record!
Sub-freezing Nature Coast with freeze expected!
Decades long records falling tonight.
Tampa's is 133 years old. Lakeland could beat their daily record by 10 degrees!! and have their earliest coldest day on record!
Sub-freezing Nature Coast with freeze expected!
Reposted by @westerneuropean
Opinion: BBC Trump row: Pro-Israel bias over Gaza is the real scandal - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/opinion-bbc-trump-row-pro-israel-bias-over-gaza-real-scandal
Opinion: BBC Trump row: Pro-Israel bias over Gaza is the real scandal
<article data-history-node-id="431322" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/opinion-bbc-trump-row-pro-israel-bias-over-gaza-real-scandal" class="live-blog-update default clearfix">
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<a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/opinion-bbc-trump-row-pro-israel-bias-over-gaza-real-scandal" rel="bookmark">
<span class="field field-title">Opinion: BBC Trump row: Pro-Israel bias over Gaza is the real scandal</span>
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<p>As the BBC’s director general and head of news <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0mx28vlp4wo" target="_blank">resign</a> amid an uproar over a misleadingly edited speech by <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/us" target="_blank">US</a> President Donald Trump, the narrative seems neat: an error, consequences, accountability. </p>
<p>But this latest scandal was prompted by the wrong controversy.</p>
<p>While headlines continue to focus on a single editing mistake, the real crisis at the heart of <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/uk" target="_blank">Britain</a>’s public broadcaster runs far deeper, most notably in its failure to report <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/topics/israel-genocide-gaza" target="_blank">Israel’s war on Gaza</a> with honesty or courage.</p>
<p>And the irony is brutal: the BBC has been shaken by one of the smallest of its sins, while the greater one - its distortion of <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/countries/palestine" target="_blank">Palestinian</a> reality - goes unpunished.</p>
<h3>Read more: <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/bbc-trump-row-gaza-genocide-whitewashing-israel-bias">BBC Trump row: Pro-Israel bias over Gaza is the real scandal</a></h3>
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www.middleeasteye.net
November 10, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Opinion: BBC Trump row: Pro-Israel bias over Gaza is the real scandal - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/opinion-bbc-trump-row-pro-israel-bias-over-gaza-real-scandal
Reposted by @westerneuropean
Nearly half of parents stripped of child benefit based on faulty travel data were back in the UK bit.ly/497ALWP child benefit cannot be claimed after 8 weeks out of UK but data showing parents leaving UK on holiday was not always matched with data showing their return
Home Office data in HMRC benefit fraud trial wrong in 46% of cases
Exclusive: Almost half of families flagged as emigrants based on Home Office travel data were still living in UK
bit.ly
November 10, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Nearly half of parents stripped of child benefit based on faulty travel data were back in the UK bit.ly/497ALWP child benefit cannot be claimed after 8 weeks out of UK but data showing parents leaving UK on holiday was not always matched with data showing their return
Reposted by @westerneuropean
Anybody who had a vision to bring American levels of political, cultural and social polarisation to Britain - whether their motive was clicks or cash, ideology, boredom or anything else - would make it their top strategic priority to abolish the BBC, or to damage and diminish it at the very least
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Anybody who had a vision to bring American levels of political, cultural and social polarisation to Britain - whether their motive was clicks or cash, ideology, boredom or anything else - would make it their top strategic priority to abolish the BBC, or to damage and diminish it at the very least
Reposted by @westerneuropean
MPs preparing to examine Chinese state influence at British universities
Committee’s inquiry into review of UK-China relations to be broadened after Sheffield Hallam University disclosures
Committee’s inquiry into review of UK-China relations to be broadened after Sheffield Hallam University disclosures
MPs preparing to examine Chinese state influence at British universities
Committee’s inquiry into review of UK-China relations to be broadened after Sheffield Hallam University disclosures
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:17 PM
MPs preparing to examine Chinese state influence at British universities
Committee’s inquiry into review of UK-China relations to be broadened after Sheffield Hallam University disclosures
Committee’s inquiry into review of UK-China relations to be broadened after Sheffield Hallam University disclosures
Reposted by @westerneuropean
Absolutely right. I criticise BBC News, because we need it to be as good as we know it can be. People like Farage criticise the BBC, because they work for its competitors and don't want it to exist.
🎯 Davey is spot on. "We can have criticism of the BBC, but within that, we need to recognise how valuable an institution it is [and how] precious to our country. And that's one of the reasons why people like President Trump and Nigel Farage, want to undermine the BBC." 👏🏽~AA
November 10, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Absolutely right. I criticise BBC News, because we need it to be as good as we know it can be. People like Farage criticise the BBC, because they work for its competitors and don't want it to exist.
Reposted by @westerneuropean
Reposted by @westerneuropean
This is ever more the case now the BBC’s current affairs output has increasingly become, simultaneously, trivialised and dominated by right-wing talking points. To do one of those two things might be an accident. To do both is unforgivable.
If the BBC licence fee could somehow be disconnected between news and non-news output, I suspect the number of people willing to pay to watch its news output would be tiny
November 10, 2025 at 3:14 PM
This is ever more the case now the BBC’s current affairs output has increasingly become, simultaneously, trivialised and dominated by right-wing talking points. To do one of those two things might be an accident. To do both is unforgivable.
Reposted by @westerneuropean
I go on about 'remember when BBC Parliament was a real channel?', but from a 'protecting the corporation' perspective, the flight from detail both means 'fewer programmes that MPs and the political class themselves directly enjoy' and also 'fewer programmes that the political class appears on'.
It would also have more defenders more readily to say no thats bullshit its a great institution and you can fuck off when facing this kind of assault
November 10, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I go on about 'remember when BBC Parliament was a real channel?', but from a 'protecting the corporation' perspective, the flight from detail both means 'fewer programmes that MPs and the political class themselves directly enjoy' and also 'fewer programmes that the political class appears on'.
Reposted by @westerneuropean
NEW: Rachel Reeves signals she intends to remove the two-child cap *in full*
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
November 10, 2025 at 3:05 PM
NEW: Rachel Reeves signals she intends to remove the two-child cap *in full*
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
"I don't think a child should be penalised because they're in a bigger family through no fault of their own," she tells BBC.
Reposted by @westerneuropean
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 @westerneuropean
“There will be those who will clap and cheer at the senior BBC resignations … but such elation is misconceived. For the BBC to be this weak as an institution when faced with outside (and politically motivated) criticism is not a sign of a healthy mixed polity.”
By @davidallengreen.bsky.social
By @davidallengreen.bsky.social
The BBC’s depressing lack of inherent institutional strength
10th November 2025 The BBC needs to be a robust, independent institution * The British (or Bullied) Broadcasting Corporation is suffering another kicking. Of course, the BBC is not perfect, and nor…
davidallengreen.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:23 AM
“There will be those who will clap and cheer at the senior BBC resignations … but such elation is misconceived. For the BBC to be this weak as an institution when faced with outside (and politically motivated) criticism is not a sign of a healthy mixed polity.”
By @davidallengreen.bsky.social
By @davidallengreen.bsky.social
Reposted by @westerneuropean
If the BBC is guilty of anything it has been far too ready and willing to follow the right-wing media narratives pushed by the billionaire press barons, instead of pursuing its own independent journalism based on exposing and uncovering the truth – regardless of whether people want to hear it.
November 10, 2025 at 1:01 PM
If the BBC is guilty of anything it has been far too ready and willing to follow the right-wing media narratives pushed by the billionaire press barons, instead of pursuing its own independent journalism based on exposing and uncovering the truth – regardless of whether people want to hear it.
Reposted by @westerneuropean
Not only is the BBC eating itself, but when they wanted a guest to discuss ethical standards on the breakfast sofa, they rang Kelvin Mackenzie.
Satan, clearly, couldn't make it to Salford. Too busy looking for his mittens and oiling the snowplough.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Satan, clearly, couldn't make it to Salford. Too busy looking for his mittens and oiling the snowplough.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
'Only one person can be the new BBC boss, and it's not one of the boys'
The new BBC boss cannot be one of the boys again, says Fleet Street Fox. History shows they keep cocking it up
www.mirror.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Not only is the BBC eating itself, but when they wanted a guest to discuss ethical standards on the breakfast sofa, they rang Kelvin Mackenzie.
Satan, clearly, couldn't make it to Salford. Too busy looking for his mittens and oiling the snowplough.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Satan, clearly, couldn't make it to Salford. Too busy looking for his mittens and oiling the snowplough.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by @westerneuropean
If they don't implement significant policy changes, this Government will preside over the sharpest increase in child poverty by any Labour Government in the last 60 years ⤵️
Read 'No half measures' 👉 buff.ly/04eBps0
Read 'No half measures' 👉 buff.ly/04eBps0
November 10, 2025 at 2:15 PM
If they don't implement significant policy changes, this Government will preside over the sharpest increase in child poverty by any Labour Government in the last 60 years ⤵️
Read 'No half measures' 👉 buff.ly/04eBps0
Read 'No half measures' 👉 buff.ly/04eBps0
Reposted by @westerneuropean
The US president has sent a letter to the corporation threatening legal action.
Donald Trump Preparing To Sue BBC Over Panorama Speech Row
The US president has sent a letter to the corporation threatening legal action.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 2:05 PM
The US president has sent a letter to the corporation threatening legal action.
Reposted by @westerneuropean
A remarkable choice of booking...
BBC slammed for asking Kelvin Mackenzie about journalism standards
Liverpool fans and others staggered by choice to invite former S*n editor on to discuss ongoing issues at the BBC
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 12:14 PM
A remarkable choice of booking...
Reposted by @westerneuropean
November 10, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Reposted by @westerneuropean
Maybe they have all missed BBCQT, Politics Live, Daily Politics, and This Week for the last two decades, for which Farage has his own dressing room.
Farage accuses the BBC of bias on Europe, immigration, the environment, Gaza, and Trump - to a hall of toadies roaring their approval.
And in the blink of an eye, turns to his actual employer "a much perkier GB News," then remembers "although I have to declare an interest." ~AA
And in the blink of an eye, turns to his actual employer "a much perkier GB News," then remembers "although I have to declare an interest." ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Maybe they have all missed BBCQT, Politics Live, Daily Politics, and This Week for the last two decades, for which Farage has his own dressing room.
Reposted by @westerneuropean
Prescott's claims that the BBC has a pro-trans bias are even flimsier than you might imagine. He thinks all positive stories about trans people represent bias unless some ghoul from Sex Matters is invited to say that they are awful actually. Crackpot green-ink stuff
So the Telegraph’s “BBC bias dossier” - supposedly written by ex-BBC adviser Michael Prescott - is being used to claim there’s a rogue LGBT+ unit “censoring” gender-critical voices inside the BBC.
Let’s look at what’s actually in it. Spoiler: it’s nothing but recycled transphobic talking points!
🧵
Let’s look at what’s actually in it. Spoiler: it’s nothing but recycled transphobic talking points!
🧵
For reference - Here’s the Telegraph article with the Prescott memo complaining about the BBC published in FULL.
Obviously, it’s an archived link which circumvents their paywall - as there’s no way I’m gonna give that transphobic rag any clicks or coin! 😣
👉 archive.ph/mJIsB
Obviously, it’s an archived link which circumvents their paywall - as there’s no way I’m gonna give that transphobic rag any clicks or coin! 😣
👉 archive.ph/mJIsB
November 10, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Prescott's claims that the BBC has a pro-trans bias are even flimsier than you might imagine. He thinks all positive stories about trans people represent bias unless some ghoul from Sex Matters is invited to say that they are awful actually. Crackpot green-ink stuff
Reposted by @westerneuropean
Excellent analysis of this unfolding horror show
What you’re witnessing is a populist assault on the BBC.
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
November 10, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Excellent analysis of this unfolding horror show
Reposted by @westerneuropean
Everything on our news agenda is being driven by a corrupted disinformation machine, run by a billionaire who sponsors Tommy Robinson and who keeps trying to foment civil war in the UK.
And incredibly our MPs & news providers stay there.
THAT is the problem. Not some bad editing choice on the BBC.
And incredibly our MPs & news providers stay there.
THAT is the problem. Not some bad editing choice on the BBC.
November 10, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Everything on our news agenda is being driven by a corrupted disinformation machine, run by a billionaire who sponsors Tommy Robinson and who keeps trying to foment civil war in the UK.
And incredibly our MPs & news providers stay there.
THAT is the problem. Not some bad editing choice on the BBC.
And incredibly our MPs & news providers stay there.
THAT is the problem. Not some bad editing choice on the BBC.
Reposted by @westerneuropean
Found it www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
November 10, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Found it www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by @westerneuropean
Hunting for bias will ultimately be hunting the snark. We are all biased in some way or another. The news team need to insist on detail and rigour, not matching one empty but biased commentator with another equally empty and biased commentator from the other side.
November 10, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Hunting for bias will ultimately be hunting the snark. We are all biased in some way or another. The news team need to insist on detail and rigour, not matching one empty but biased commentator with another equally empty and biased commentator from the other side.