Alan Lester

@alanlester.bsky.social

15K followers 6.8K following 1.8K posts

British Empire Professor, University of Sussex. Co-editor, MUP Studies in Imperialism series. Views here own.
Blogs on politics of colonial history here: https://alanlester.co.uk Editor https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/the-truth-about-empire/ .. more

Videos

Alan Lester is a British historical geographer and author who has worked for Sussex University since 2000. He was appointed Professor of Historical Geography in 2006. He is known for his research on imperial networks, colonial humanitarianism and imperial governance. .. more

Political science 40%

Sociology 34%

Posts Replies Media Videos

Pinned

Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · Apr 30

The podcast of David Olusoga and I discussing Empire & the rewriting of history:

howtoacademy.com/podcasts/dav...

HOW TO PODCAST | David Olusoga & Alan Lester - The Truth About the British Empire

David Olusoga and Alan Lester reveal the dark realities of the British Empire, and reflect on the importance of historians amid the resurgence of nationalism and misinformation.

howtoacademy.com

Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 23h

The sheer power of a relentless right wing media assault on the Labour government. More people think this budget was no better or worse than Liz Truss’ disastrous, economy-crashing budget than see it as better. This persistent tsunami of propaganda isn’t just anti-Labour, it’s anti-reality.

Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 23h

2/2 The Telegraph has always provided it with a platform for flawed & propagandistic history but we’re at a critical juncture where the BBC is at risk of hard right wing hijack too. History Reclaimed deserves far more scrutiny. Who funds it and why?

bylinetimes.com/2024/07/17/t...

The Daily Telegraph’s Disinformation Campaign About the British Empire Laid Bare

The newspaper has waged a culture war on anyone spreading awareness of verifiable truths about the British Empire and its legacies

bylinetimes.com

Reposted by Klaus Oschema

Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 23h

The private company History Reclaimed is the hard Right’s most determined weapon in the propaganda war to control public history. Its attempts to drive the BBC rightwards were paying off with Robbie Gibb promoting its influence on the inside.

observer.co.uk/news/nationa...

History is just one more battleground in culture war being fought over the BBC | The Observer

observer.co.uk

Reposted by Alan Lester, Mark Priestley

Adam Bienkov @adambienkov.bsky.social · 1d

How the right-wing newspapers still manage to dictate BBC coverage.

Almost all of the Beeb's big post-Budget interview with the Chancellor devoted to asking whether she is a liar.

Next to nothing on any of the big measures announced this week

www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/the-real-b...

The Real 'Benefits Street' Protecting Britain's Wealthiest

The sheer scale of outrage about plans to lift children out of poverty, by taxing millionaire homeowners, tells you everything you need to know about the priorities of the British press

www.adambienkov.co.uk

Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 1d

Not until it’s aired I’m afraid.

Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 1d

As far as I know you can from this Thursday Narinder. I certainly hope so!

Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 1d

The Truth About Empire | Hurst Publishers

Foreword by Sathnam Sanghera Selected as a 'Book of the Year' by BBC History Magazine Sharp, authoritative essays on the dark realities of Empire and the true historian’s importance for democracy, a...

www.hurstpublishers.com

Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 1d

2. Nigel Biggar’s History Reclaimed company normally avoids debating with experts or well-briefed challengers, preferring sympathetic right wing platforms. It’s already trying to repair the damage that @mehdirhasan.bsky.social inflicted when its arguments were finally subjected to rigorous scrutiny:

Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 1d

1/2 I would encourage anyone interested in History Reclaimed’s weighty contributions to the attack on the BBC and to international right wing historical propaganda generally, to watch this debate between @mehdirhasan.bsky.social and Nigel Biggar on Thursday.

www.jiotv.com/live-channel...

Watch Head to Head Live : Streaming on AL Jazeera on JioTV

Watch Head to Head on AL Jazeera Live TV channel on JioTV. ✓ Set reminder for upcoming shows ✓ 7 days catch-up service. Watch Now!

www.jiotv.com

Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 1d

Why would GBNews take any action against a racist contributor? To do so would dilute its very essence and infuriate the Reform supporters who watch it.

www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...

GB News urged to cut ties with contributor accused of racism

Rightwing activist claimed Commons deputy speaker Nusrat Ghani should be barred because she was born in Pakistan

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Joe R. Feagin, Alan Lester, Gerald Friedman

Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 1d

The deranged madman now threatens to blow up commercial airliners flying in and out of Venezuela.

Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 1d

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

Convincing evidence Israel backed aid convoy looters in Gaza, historian says

Account of visit to Gaza by French professor describes Israeli military attacks on security personnel protecting convoys

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Alan Lester, Ian Butler

James O’Brien @mrjamesob.bsky.social · 2d

“Speaking outside his chateau in France…”
I kid you not.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Former Brexit Party MEP denies taking payment from pro-Russian campaign

A prominent former MEP for Nigel Farage's old party denies taking bribes in a pro-Russian campaign.

www.bbc.co.uk

Reposted by Alan Lester

Dave Stowe @davidstowe1919.bsky.social · 2d

David Olusoga is correct...and to add further clarification: Mike Mountain Horse "signed on the dotted line..." 23 May 1916.

This is clearly shown on the online Canadian FWW Personnel Records for Mike Mountain Horse and his enlistment in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF).

Canadian Virtual War Memorial. Search engine for First World War Personnel Records database showing Mike Mountain Horse.

Canadian Virtual War Memorial. Search engine for First World War Personnel Records database showing Mike Mountain Horse and Attestation Papers. Mike Mountain Horse 'signed on the dotted line' 23 May 1916.

Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 3d

Another patriotic Brexit ally (who lives in a French Chateau) implicated in Russian bribes. Feeling the heat Farage?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Alan Lester @alanlester.bsky.social · 3d

This highlights the Tories’ fundamental problem.They remain mired in the childish, insulting politics of the culture war introduced to the UK by Boris Johnson & Munira Mirza. Reform now have that pitch.

Badenoch defends calling chancellor 'spineless' in Budget row www.bbc.com/news/article...

Badenoch defends calling chancellor 'spineless' in Budget row

The Conservative Party leader says she was "channelling" public anger when she accused the chancellor of "whining about mansplaining".

www.bbc.com

Reposted by Alan Lester

Simon James @jim1132.bsky.social · 3d

It was Michael Prescott who kept referring to History Reclaimed in his Media select committee evidence - whether a history of Empire from the privateer/slave trader/overseer/Imperial administrator perspective will draw the viewers, another matter.

Reposted by Alan Lester

Sarah May @sarahmay1.bsky.social · 3d

I hope that their botched hachet job brings more attention to this excellent programme. Of course it slipped over things I would have expected more on, but it brought out fresh angles. I actually learned some things, which is always a joy. Sadly not a pleasure that the Telegraph seems to enjoy.

Reposted by Alan Lester

Dr. Ian Garner @irgarner.bsky.social · 3d

This is particularly irksome. Olusoga was so, so clear to complicate the picture by pointing out that such people volunteered for the empire’s war. That sort of nuance around identity and military service is fascinating.