The Joy of Six 1490"Our reviewers found that the guests or 'experts' are predominantly drawn from a pool of right wing commentators, politicians, polling organisations, or think tanks. The supposedly counterbalancing minority voices often have little real stature or expertise and are challenged or interrupted much more than the guests who agree with the presenter's views."Alan Rusbridger introduces The New World's special investigation of GB News and of Ofcom's abdication of its role. Thomas Worth sets out the threat the invigorated Greens pose to Liberal Democrat ambitions: "While it isn't likely the Greens will take seats from us, it is possible they will prevent ... (more) |
Why Liberals must extinguish the so-called 'Culture Wars'On Tuesday afternoon, I found myself scrolling Twitter - as one does (even if it invokes a sense of despair) - and could not help but feel disgusted by how so many speak of their peers. Social media has always brought out antisocial tendencies in some people, and it's a well-studied psychological phenomenon. Except I'm not sure it's just a phenomenon anymore. While most people in the real world are relatively nice and prosocial, over the last few years we have seen grievance politics bleed into the real world - with dangerous consequences In the wake of the Southport murders, ... (more) |
London bars shun Margot Robbie's gin over shellfish allergen concernsLadies and gentlemen, we have our Headline of the Day. Well done to everyone at the Guardian. (more) |
Focus: SylviaSylvia was that rare thing, a European hit in the UK in 1973. Despite being an instrumental, it got as high as no. 4 in the singles chart. And Focus's guitarist Jan Akkerman finished near the top in music papers' polls for the best guitarist for a good while afterwards. Me? I loved this record when I was 12. (more) |
The Green ThreatA post on X from Luke Tryl, the UK Director of More in Common, the other day changed how I viewed the rise of the Green Party. The post was in response to the latest polling from Ipsos, which had us sitting on just 9%, the lowest we've polled since the 2024 General Election. In the post he said, 'If the Lib Dems go into May with the Greens eating at their progressive flank it could well limit their gains in e.g. the new East and West Surrey councils, Sussex and other south east districts'. As a longstanding member in ... (more) |
Britain Votes: The 2024 General ElectionThe latest edition of my email newsletter reviewing books about the last general election is out and you can also read it in full below. But if you'd like to get future editions emailed direct to you as soon as they are published, sign up now: Welcome to the latest in my series of reviews of books about the 2024 general election. I am reading them all so you can pick which ones to look at. If you're the author or editor of a general election book, please do get in touch to ensure that I do not miss your ... (more) |
So, what does Nigel actually believe?The Guardian reports that they have unearthed some highly questionable clips featuring Nigel Farage during an investigation into his use of the personalised video platform Cameo. The paper says that some of the videos the Reform leader has sold include ones in which he endorsed a neo-Nazi event, repeated extremist slogans and supported a man convicted over his involvement in a far-right riot. They add that the haul includes videos in which Farage repeats a motto associated with the UK far right, references antisemitic conspiracy theories and makes misogynistic remarks about leftwing politicians - including a comment about the US ... (more) |
Sadness and pride as Scottish Asssisted Dying Bill fallsI'm full of emotion tonight. Sad that the Scottish Parliament rejected the Assisted Dying (Terminally Ill Adults) Bill which would have made us the first nation in the UK to allow assisted dying for those with less than 6 months to live if they wanted it. After a week of late night sittings considering amendments, the Bill fell at its final hurdle by 57 votes to 69. I'm also proud, though. Immensely proud. Liam McArthur could have done no more. His calm, his persuasive efforts to build support for this measure beyond any of its predecessors, taking it through to ... (more) |
There's magnolia, that's for remembranceIt's almost four years since my mother died. A strong memory from her last days is the magnolia at the end of the street. I saw it every time I went out on an errand. As it was so sunny today, I went to see if the tree is still thriving. And it is. (more) |
Invisible at Wembley: what the Liberal Democrats keep getting wrong on trans rightsOn Wednesday night, ten thousand people filled OVO Arena Wembley for Trans Mission: A Solidarity Concert. It was a four-hour, star-studded declaration that trans people in this country are not alone – and that the hostility directed at them is not going unanswered. Olly Alexander, the Sugababes, Wolf Alice, Adam Lambert, Ian McKellen reading Shakespeare. A mother speaking about her daughter Alice, who is no longer alive, asking the crowd to dance for those who can no longer dance for themselves. A standing ovation that shook the building. One politician was on that stage. Zack Polanski, leader of the Green ... (more) |