BBC
The full story on NHS spending
I make no apologies for returning to government spending on health. The Tory promise in the election to ring-fence health spending and increase it in real terms every year even… Continue reading
10 CommentsChris Patten: a big disappointment all round
Chris Patten has held almost every great and good job the great and the good can offer: Governor of Hong Kong, Companion of Honour, European Commissioner, Chancellor of the University… Continue reading
22 CommentsThe riots, one month on
A month has passed since the riots, and it still feels as if nobody has grasped what really happened. The media debate has been limited, to say the least: lots… Continue reading
22 CommentsI spy a BBC bias
With Colonel Gaddafi’s compound lying in ruins and every self-respecting reporter combing through the wreckage, it was only a matter of time before documents of a dictatorship became public. Most… Continue reading
42 CommentsLady Nicotine and the Fat Wars
Well, whaddyaknow, turns out that a rise in obesity is one of the costs of government-sponsored attempts to make smoking tobacco less appealing. Swings and roundabouts. Acording to Chris Snowdon,… Continue reading
10 CommentsTory backbenchers oppose cuts to the World Service
There is a debate in the Commons this afternoon, urging the government to spare the BBC World Service from cuts. The resistance is being led by Richard Ottaway, chairman of… Continue reading
19 CommentsJohn Humphrys makes the case for voting No to AV
Is AV too complex? Ask John Humphrys, who unwittingly made the case against switching system today, in conversation with David Cameron on the Today programme. It became clear that Humphrys… Continue reading
55 CommentsHain puts his foot in it
Crude politics has intruded on the Royal Wedding after all, and all courtesy of Peter Hain. The Shadow Welsh Secretary has complained — on Twitter, naturally — that the BBC’s… Continue reading
46 CommentsThrough a different camera: the source of Melanie Phillips’ discontent
It is unfortunate that Melanie Phillips based her allegations of BBC bias in its reporting of Israeli actions on a video by CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting… Continue reading
26 CommentsAl-Jazeera is not a new BBC World Service
Egypt has made al-Jazeera English. The Qatari satellite channel has been the “go-to” channel; it has had more reporters on the ground than the BBC and CNN; and it has… Continue reading
25 CommentsA day of gaffes
You really couldn’t make this up: it wasn’t Michael Moore’s PPS who was on the World at One resigning but someone impersonating him. The actual PPS, Michael Crockart, is still… Continue reading
21 CommentsNaughty Naughtie
James Naughtie with some very improper language on the Today Programme this morning. NSFW, and all that. You have been warned:
43 CommentsStrike out
Spark up those Roman candles, the firefighters have called off their strike for today and tomorrow. According to the general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), it’s all because… Continue reading
23 CommentsDimbleby Fail
I didn’t watch Question Time last night, but there seems to be some stushie over David Dimbleby’s refusal to allow Nicola Sturgeon to talk about fiscal autonomy. "This is for… Continue reading
12 CommentsDownton Abbey: the new Brideshead
Lots of discussion of ITV’s Downton Abbey on Radio 4′s Broadcasting House and in the Sundays. There is a fascinating piece by Simon Heffer in the Sunday Telegraph extolling its virtues. It… Continue reading
14 CommentsPrivatization revisited
The similarities between now and the early years of the Thatcher government can easily be overplayed. Yes, there are parallels: a public sector grown fat on government profligacy, unions leaders… Continue reading
7 CommentsBBC Tory conference strike suspended
The warnings from Auntie’s leading hacks have been heeded – the strike has been cancelled. There is no done deal and the government is still in the union’s crosshairs: the… Continue reading
19 CommentsAn example of union hostility against people who want to do their jobs
Amongst BBC political staff, there’s mounting concern about the plans for a strike during Tory conference. One of them said to me at Labour conference that they just didn’t know… Continue reading
46 CommentsWhat it is to be British
What is it about the British and flag waving? I ask after watching last night’s superlative BBC Proms, a brilliant end to the best season for years. On HD and… Continue reading
99 CommentsRound x of Hunt versus Thompson
Jeremy Hunt has responded to Mark Thompson’s MacTaggert lecture, the contents of which have been reviewed by Paul Goodman at Con Home. You can watch Hunt here. He’s becoming as… Continue reading
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