David Scourfield
@jhdscourfield.bsky.social
Classicist and Modernist, Em. Prof. Working on a monograph on E. M. Forster and Classics, and a new edition of his novel The Longest Journey for Cambridge UP. Welsh/Irish.
Ah no. The brilliant Stoppard.
Tom Stoppard, playwright of dazzling wit and playful erudition, dies aged 88 www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
Tom Stoppard, playwright of dazzling wit and playful erudition, dies aged 88 www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
Tom Stoppard, playwright of dazzling wit and playful erudition, dies aged 88
A theatrical sensation since the 1960s, whose dramas included Arcadia, The Real Thing and Leopoldstadt, Stoppard also had huge success as a screenwriter
www.theguardian.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Ah no. The brilliant Stoppard.
Tom Stoppard, playwright of dazzling wit and playful erudition, dies aged 88 www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
Tom Stoppard, playwright of dazzling wit and playful erudition, dies aged 88 www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/n...
Reposted by David Scourfield
I wish I was surprised. Buried in this Budget is a plan to slash the Digital Services Tax, giving a multi-billion tax cut to US tech giants and the likes of Elon Musk.
That's right, cutting taxes for the world's richest man while hiking them for millions of hard-working Brits.
That's right, cutting taxes for the world's richest man while hiking them for millions of hard-working Brits.
November 27, 2025 at 9:30 AM
I wish I was surprised. Buried in this Budget is a plan to slash the Digital Services Tax, giving a multi-billion tax cut to US tech giants and the likes of Elon Musk.
That's right, cutting taxes for the world's richest man while hiking them for millions of hard-working Brits.
That's right, cutting taxes for the world's richest man while hiking them for millions of hard-working Brits.
Keir Starmer's controlled irritation under questioning from the BBC's dreadful Chris Mason says a lot for him (and I'm not his greatest fan).
November 27, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Keir Starmer's controlled irritation under questioning from the BBC's dreadful Chris Mason says a lot for him (and I'm not his greatest fan).
Reposted by David Scourfield
Pay £10 to see Marx roll over in his grave as he learns that his corpse has been commodified
My beloved reports he would have to pay 10 quid to go see Karl Marx’s grave. (Highgate cemetery entry fee). This feels wrong.
November 27, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Pay £10 to see Marx roll over in his grave as he learns that his corpse has been commodified
Reposted by David Scourfield
The Prime Minister just told me any party leader should want to get to the bottom of this Russian bribery scandal with Reform.
He is the Prime Minister and a party leader. Why isn't he launching a national investigation himself?
He is the Prime Minister and a party leader. Why isn't he launching a national investigation himself?
November 26, 2025 at 12:53 PM
The Prime Minister just told me any party leader should want to get to the bottom of this Russian bribery scandal with Reform.
He is the Prime Minister and a party leader. Why isn't he launching a national investigation himself?
He is the Prime Minister and a party leader. Why isn't he launching a national investigation himself?
Reposted by David Scourfield
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
We're not talking Christian 'values' here. We're talking 'Christian' values.
Is British politics immune to US-style rightwing Christianity? We’re about to find out | Lamorna Ash www.theguardian.com/world/commen...
Is British politics immune to US-style rightwing Christianity? We’re about to find out | Lamorna Ash www.theguardian.com/world/commen...
Is British politics immune to US-style rightwing Christianity? We’re about to find out | Lamorna Ash
Nigel Farage and Tommy Robinson are increasingly espousing Christian ‘values’, and a wealthy US legal group is becoming influential – this could have dire consequences, says author Lamorna Ash
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:22 AM
We're not talking Christian 'values' here. We're talking 'Christian' values.
Is British politics immune to US-style rightwing Christianity? We’re about to find out | Lamorna Ash www.theguardian.com/world/commen...
Is British politics immune to US-style rightwing Christianity? We’re about to find out | Lamorna Ash www.theguardian.com/world/commen...
Really powerful stuff from Nesrine Malik. Well worth reading.
Shabana Mahmood is an avatar of open Britain – that’s what makes her fable about immigration so seductive | Nesrine Malik www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Shabana Mahmood is an avatar of open Britain – that’s what makes her fable about immigration so seductive | Nesrine Malik www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Shabana Mahmood is an avatar of open Britain – that’s what makes her fable about immigration so seductive | Nesrine Malik
‘She is the daughter of immigrants,’ supporters of her cruel asylum policies say. ‘How can she be wrong?’ Let me put them straight, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Really powerful stuff from Nesrine Malik. Well worth reading.
Shabana Mahmood is an avatar of open Britain – that’s what makes her fable about immigration so seductive | Nesrine Malik www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Shabana Mahmood is an avatar of open Britain – that’s what makes her fable about immigration so seductive | Nesrine Malik www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Cas Mudde is always worth hearing.
The ‘Danish model’ is the darling of centre-left parties like Labour. The problem is, it doesn’t even work in Denmark | Cas Mudde www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The ‘Danish model’ is the darling of centre-left parties like Labour. The problem is, it doesn’t even work in Denmark | Cas Mudde www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The ‘Danish model’ is the darling of centre-left parties like Labour. The problem is, it doesn’t even work in Denmark | Cas Mudde
This week’s local elections are the latest reminder that when social democrats move rightwards, they’re making a mistake, says academic and author Cas Mudde
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Cas Mudde is always worth hearing.
The ‘Danish model’ is the darling of centre-left parties like Labour. The problem is, it doesn’t even work in Denmark | Cas Mudde www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The ‘Danish model’ is the darling of centre-left parties like Labour. The problem is, it doesn’t even work in Denmark | Cas Mudde www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by David Scourfield
Word of the day is ‘quockerwodger’ (19th century): a puppet politician whose strings are pulled entirely by someone else.
November 21, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Word of the day is ‘quockerwodger’ (19th century): a puppet politician whose strings are pulled entirely by someone else.
What on earth does it mean to talk about 'speaking English' to 'degree standard' or 'A-level standard'? It's nonsense.
November 20, 2025 at 1:42 PM
What on earth does it mean to talk about 'speaking English' to 'degree standard' or 'A-level standard'? It's nonsense.
Just how stupid is this Government? And there's the care sector (already beyond full stretch) to think of too.
Up to 50,000 nurses could quit UK over immigration plans, survey suggests www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Up to 50,000 nurses could quit UK over immigration plans, survey suggests www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Up to 50,000 nurses could quit UK over immigration plans, survey suggests
Exclusive: union leaders say proposed changes are immoral and could threaten patient safety if there is staff exodus
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Just how stupid is this Government? And there's the care sector (already beyond full stretch) to think of too.
Up to 50,000 nurses could quit UK over immigration plans, survey suggests www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Up to 50,000 nurses could quit UK over immigration plans, survey suggests www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
🏴🏴🏴 Wales 7 North Macedonia 1! Amazing result!
November 18, 2025 at 9:35 PM
🏴🏴🏴 Wales 7 North Macedonia 1! Amazing result!
Wow. John Crace. Pulling no punches.
Shabana Mahmood puts the signs up: Britain is full. No blacks, no dogs, no Irish www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Shabana Mahmood puts the signs up: Britain is full. No blacks, no dogs, no Irish www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Shabana Mahmood puts the signs up: Britain is full. No blacks, no dogs, no Irish
We had always given sanctuary to those who needed it, she said, only now we would kick them out as soon as possible
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Wow. John Crace. Pulling no punches.
Shabana Mahmood puts the signs up: Britain is full. No blacks, no dogs, no Irish www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Shabana Mahmood puts the signs up: Britain is full. No blacks, no dogs, no Irish www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Sustain all languages.
Icelandic is in danger of dying out because of AI and English-language media, says former PM www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Icelandic is in danger of dying out because of AI and English-language media, says former PM www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Icelandic is in danger of dying out because of AI and English-language media, says former PM
Katrín Jakobsdóttir and her co-author want the 350,000 people who speak the language to fight for its future
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Sustain all languages.
Icelandic is in danger of dying out because of AI and English-language media, says former PM www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Icelandic is in danger of dying out because of AI and English-language media, says former PM www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
@pjrobichaud.bsky.social You might like this! (And I must get one.)
What's this? @helleborezine.bsky.social in the Guardian! www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025... @mjpcuervo.bsky.social
‘Demonic’ Wind in the Willows jumper banned from Westminster Abbey
Woman told to remove or cover up garment featuring 1908 illustration of Pan lest it offend worshippers
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 AM
@pjrobichaud.bsky.social You might like this! (And I must get one.)
Was just listening to an old (2017) episode of In Our Time on Hannah Arendt, and the resonances for 2025 re authoritarianism, lies, etc., were extraordinary. Get it on BBC podcasts if you can.
November 11, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Was just listening to an old (2017) episode of In Our Time on Hannah Arendt, and the resonances for 2025 re authoritarianism, lies, etc., were extraordinary. Get it on BBC podcasts if you can.
The first step towards saving our precious BBC: remove Robbie Gibb from the board | Ed Davey www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The first step towards saving our precious BBC: remove Robbie Gibb from the board | Ed Davey
The BBC belongs to all of us, and it is under attack as never before. The government must defend it from its enemies, within and without, says Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:36 PM
The first step towards saving our precious BBC: remove Robbie Gibb from the board | Ed Davey www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by David Scourfield
Note that still in post at the BBC is Robbie Gibb, who helped set up GB News, and John McAndrew, formerly director of news and programmes at GB News.
November 10, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Note that still in post at the BBC is Robbie Gibb, who helped set up GB News, and John McAndrew, formerly director of news and programmes at GB News.
When TV execs run out of ideas. Game of Wool.
November 8, 2025 at 2:54 PM
When TV execs run out of ideas. Game of Wool.
'One thought alone preoccupies the submerged mind of Empire: how not to end, how not to die, how to prolong its era. By day it pursues its enemies. It is cunning and ruthless [...] By night it feeds on images of disaster: the sack of cities, the rape of populations, [...] acres of desolation.'
November 7, 2025 at 9:02 AM
'One thought alone preoccupies the submerged mind of Empire: how not to end, how not to die, how to prolong its era. By day it pursues its enemies. It is cunning and ruthless [...] By night it feeds on images of disaster: the sack of cities, the rape of populations, [...] acres of desolation.'
Autumn tones. North County Kildare, 3 November 2025
November 4, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Autumn tones. North County Kildare, 3 November 2025
In praise of London (and other cities). Great piece.
Say what you like about ‘Sadiq Khan’s no-go hellscape’ – Britain’s cities prove the rightwing agitators wrong | Jonathan Liew www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Say what you like about ‘Sadiq Khan’s no-go hellscape’ – Britain’s cities prove the rightwing agitators wrong | Jonathan Liew www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Say what you like about ‘Sadiq Khan’s no-go hellscape’ – Britain’s cities prove the rightwing agitators wrong | Jonathan Liew
To rightwing populists, places of fluidity and freedom will always be the enemy, says Guardian columnist Jonathan Liew
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:13 AM
In praise of London (and other cities). Great piece.
Say what you like about ‘Sadiq Khan’s no-go hellscape’ – Britain’s cities prove the rightwing agitators wrong | Jonathan Liew www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Say what you like about ‘Sadiq Khan’s no-go hellscape’ – Britain’s cities prove the rightwing agitators wrong | Jonathan Liew www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by David Scourfield
The 400 richest Americans are now worth a record $6.6 trillion.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
November 3, 2025 at 1:30 AM
The 400 richest Americans are now worth a record $6.6 trillion.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.