NEW! Contemporary English poetry rooted in the landscapes of Europe. Working in the traditions of Ted Hughes and Edward Thomas, Patrick Howse explores belonging, nature and love in a time of pandemic, intolerance and war. Available as an ebook: books2read.com/b/491Qjw #poetry

Dreadful but true.

RT @jamiesont: How soon can that plague get here?

Given the state of accountable local news reporting, the need to cover and hold local authorities to account, local radio news provision should be a core provision by BBC.

The dangers are obvious to everyone, apart from those making the decisions, it seems.

One of my favourite Jeffrey Archer moments: m.youtube.com/watch?v=qCv-yP…

See my tweet from an hour or two ago

Sad and short sighted

Local radio has to be local - otherwise it's pointless. It has been one of the quiet glories of the BBC, until the relentless salami-slicing of recent years. Now, making it regional, will kill it.

This is all happening on Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's watch and even before the Royal Charter review on BBC funding even delivers its report.

BBC news has lacked a clear sense of purpose for a long time.. recent senior managers have made bland assertions re impartiality, sought to display a shallow machismo as a disguise for their fear of D Mail etc and prioritised sub tabloid social media clips.. a chance to change:

Oakeshott today: ‘Police investigating the leak into the diplomatic cables I obtained is a threat to press freedom.’ Last year: ‘I’m reporting Cadwalladr and Jukes to two police forces for obtaining the Banks emails I obtained.’

Nice little cosy consensus here, taking the piss out of Zac Polanski with no one there to argue back. BBC impartiality. 👏👏👏

🚨 Jürgen Klopp explains why he wore his Liverpool cap during Germany vs Greece: 🎙️ “People keep asking me about the cap, and I understand why. But honestly, I don’t see football as a place where you erase everything that came before. I am Germany’s coach now, I am proud of that, but Liverpool will always be a huge part of my life.” “I spent nine years there. Nine years of incredible nights, heartbreak, trophies, laughter, tears and moments I will carry with me forever. You don’t simply remove that from your heart because you start a new job. Liverpool gave me memories I could never replace.” “And yes, I’m wearing Germany colours now. I’m here to bring joy back to German football, and that’s exactly what I want to do. But if Liverpool supporters see me wearing something from my old club and smile, then good. Maybe they remember the good times too.” “I’m Germany’s coach, and I give everything for Germany. But I will never pretend Liverpool meant nothing to me. You can change the job. You can change the dressing room. But you cannot change the people and memories that became family.”

Coming away from Brighton & the thing that sticks with me most is it felt like July. Hot sunshine, people in shorts & T-shirts on the beach… it’s October. This is not normal & it is not something we will have another chance to fix. We need green politics more than ever.

For a long time I have heard rumours that you strangle kittens for fun and worship Satan. I have never believed it and still don’t. Am I doing this right?

so Badenoch says people should not come to UK and "recreate the place they came from" ........wow she might like to take a look at the English "enclaves" around the world and in particular the yob drinking culture that worries many locals in areas of low-cost airline holidays

Amen