It’s really good to hear some else write what I’ve been thinking for a long time. I would add however that the current labour MPs would sooner lose to Reform than the left for which they seem to have a fobia
The triangulation stratey only works when both sides are operating from a shared reality. When one side has completly abandoned journalism for ideological warfare, finding a middle ground just pulls you toward their framing. The asylum example is spot on. Starmer's trying to solve a problem that's been manufacured by outlets that will never be satified because the point isn't solving anything, its maintaning perpetual outrage.
Spot on Sam, the lack of focus on what really causes people’s lives to feel miserable as opposed to the cheap answer ‘immigration’. If the boats stopped tomorrow their lives would still be miserable. If Labour’s proposals take shape the loss to the NHS would really make their lives unbearable.
You are of course 100% right, and all this really needs saying. But the intimidation began back in the mid-1980s - the current Tory party/press campaign is remarkably similar to that which defenestrated Alasdair Milne and led to the Peacock Report, which could very easily have resulted in the end of the BBC as we know it. Of course, the added ingredients now are Farage and Trump, which makes the situation even more dangerous. But, on a more positive note, there are now many more sources of resistance to what's going on, of which your Substack is a great example. The real questions are: will the BBC hold its nerve, and is the government actually going to DO anything about the situation?
BBC BTL comments on the government's asylum announcement have been an X type cesspool which supports much of this hopelessness. It's concerning the government see these responses as a win. Question to Labour, when will it see that radically grasping the narrative on immigration is the/their only hope? For the BBC, why don't they factcheck public comments? Neither will do either. I've probably got about 5 more general elections in my lifetime. Labour will no longer see my X.
But if labour want to be re-elected they must tackle issues in the public consciousness - in what ever form that takes.
And the BBC has made significant mistakes with political bias, and been caught doing it, and have been blatant in some areas (trump edit, gender reporting, Gaza documentary etc).
The reason this does matter is not because of the right wing press, but because people like me - a life long left voter, and I expect better of the BBC. I know the telegraph and daily Mail to be rabidly right wing, I read it knowing it’s not truth but punditry. But not so the BBC, and I’ll defend it for as long as it can remain as free from bias as is possible.
Laser like analysis Sam. Brilliant.
Perfectly on point, operating on dated methodology and assumptions. Their lack of savvy is literally leaving the door open for right wing agendas
It’s really good to hear some else write what I’ve been thinking for a long time. I would add however that the current labour MPs would sooner lose to Reform than the left for which they seem to have a fobia
Brilliant and well said. I've highlighted the parallels myself but you do it really well.
The old adage was never truer: "Know your enemy".
Brilliant analysis as usual Sam
Brilliant analysis!
You are so right about this.
What can be done to give Starmer more understanding of the real problems?
Brilliant article. In my opinion, Labour needs to reform the press, and particularly deal with GBNews, otherwise they are fighting a losing battle.
The triangulation stratey only works when both sides are operating from a shared reality. When one side has completly abandoned journalism for ideological warfare, finding a middle ground just pulls you toward their framing. The asylum example is spot on. Starmer's trying to solve a problem that's been manufacured by outlets that will never be satified because the point isn't solving anything, its maintaning perpetual outrage.
Spot on, Sam. Labour could do with more black women to help see through the bullshit. Shame they marginalised them all.
Spot on Sam, the lack of focus on what really causes people’s lives to feel miserable as opposed to the cheap answer ‘immigration’. If the boats stopped tomorrow their lives would still be miserable. If Labour’s proposals take shape the loss to the NHS would really make their lives unbearable.
You are of course 100% right, and all this really needs saying. But the intimidation began back in the mid-1980s - the current Tory party/press campaign is remarkably similar to that which defenestrated Alasdair Milne and led to the Peacock Report, which could very easily have resulted in the end of the BBC as we know it. Of course, the added ingredients now are Farage and Trump, which makes the situation even more dangerous. But, on a more positive note, there are now many more sources of resistance to what's going on, of which your Substack is a great example. The real questions are: will the BBC hold its nerve, and is the government actually going to DO anything about the situation?
Painfully obvious to all except Starmer and the BBC it seems. Time to fight or die!
Summed up in four words - A failure of leadership’
BBC BTL comments on the government's asylum announcement have been an X type cesspool which supports much of this hopelessness. It's concerning the government see these responses as a win. Question to Labour, when will it see that radically grasping the narrative on immigration is the/their only hope? For the BBC, why don't they factcheck public comments? Neither will do either. I've probably got about 5 more general elections in my lifetime. Labour will no longer see my X.
Good point about the fact check... should be at the end of every News segment..
'Tory' has simply infected everything and, it seems, most in the 'politician' class...
Qualified agreement.
But if labour want to be re-elected they must tackle issues in the public consciousness - in what ever form that takes.
And the BBC has made significant mistakes with political bias, and been caught doing it, and have been blatant in some areas (trump edit, gender reporting, Gaza documentary etc).
The reason this does matter is not because of the right wing press, but because people like me - a life long left voter, and I expect better of the BBC. I know the telegraph and daily Mail to be rabidly right wing, I read it knowing it’s not truth but punditry. But not so the BBC, and I’ll defend it for as long as it can remain as free from bias as is possible.