Christopher Silver
@silverscribed.bsky.social
Recovering freelance journalist/embattled early career academic: researching journalism, culture and place. 🏳️🌈🏴✊
https://www.christopher-silver.com/
https://www.christopher-silver.com/
Pinned
Ian Hamilton Finlay’s revolutionary instincts
What the centenary of Scotland’s avant-gardener reveals about the crisis in our cultural life
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
Lots of debate recently on the state of Scottish cultural life - with plenty of omissions. For me it all comes back to the bigger (older) challenge of accommodating an avant-garde in a small country. Some provocative lessons from IHF here:
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/culture/art/...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/culture/art/...
Reposted by Christopher Silver
When people in power are telling you there's a simple answer to all your problems and it involves attacking a specific group of people, that's fascism.
November 21, 2025 at 5:18 PM
When people in power are telling you there's a simple answer to all your problems and it involves attacking a specific group of people, that's fascism.
*Fash grifter points at immaculate new conservatory that obscures original building*
“Well done lads, we’ve really shifted the Overton window here”
“Well done lads, we’ve really shifted the Overton window here”
November 20, 2025 at 8:48 PM
*Fash grifter points at immaculate new conservatory that obscures original building*
“Well done lads, we’ve really shifted the Overton window here”
“Well done lads, we’ve really shifted the Overton window here”
Reposted by Christopher Silver
We’re watching a shift where AI simulates the cohesion and reinforcement that used to require an entire online community. A single person can now build a complete parallel reality with nothing more than a prompt window. Which seems bad.
November 19, 2025 at 2:25 PM
We’re watching a shift where AI simulates the cohesion and reinforcement that used to require an entire online community. A single person can now build a complete parallel reality with nothing more than a prompt window. Which seems bad.
Reposted by Christopher Silver
Please read, listen, and share widely. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
‘I never wanted to sing into a vacuum’: Scottish folk pioneer Dick Gaughan’s fight for his lost music
A skilled interpreter and social justice champion, Gaughan is a hero to the likes of Richard Hawley and Billy Bragg. Yet much of his work has been stuck in limbo for decades – until a determined fan s...
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Please read, listen, and share widely. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...
Reposted by Christopher Silver
The BBC Scotland commentary for Kenny McLean’s halfway line goal is glorious. Stuff of dreams. 🔥
Congratulations #Scotland, see you at the World Cup.
Congratulations #Scotland, see you at the World Cup.
November 18, 2025 at 10:00 PM
The BBC Scotland commentary for Kenny McLean’s halfway line goal is glorious. Stuff of dreams. 🔥
Congratulations #Scotland, see you at the World Cup.
Congratulations #Scotland, see you at the World Cup.
Reposted by Christopher Silver
Everything in the end comes back to 'there is no vision for what they want to achieve', because when you have a vision, you can form tactical alliances with Chris Mullin or Dennis Skinner or Clare Short or Peter Kilfoyle or Kate Hoey. But when you don't, you can't.
November 16, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Everything in the end comes back to 'there is no vision for what they want to achieve', because when you have a vision, you can form tactical alliances with Chris Mullin or Dennis Skinner or Clare Short or Peter Kilfoyle or Kate Hoey. But when you don't, you can't.
Reposted by Christopher Silver
Thinking about my own father, who arrived in 1946 with the Free Polish Army - when would Labour have sent him back to communist Poland? How could he have done anything to build a life and have children in the UK if he had had to beg to stay every two years? Disgusting. www.bbc.com/news/article...
UK set to limit refugees to temporary stays
Shabana Mahmood is expected to say the era of permanent protection for refugees is over, in major changes to the UK's asylum and immigration system.
www.bbc.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Thinking about my own father, who arrived in 1946 with the Free Polish Army - when would Labour have sent him back to communist Poland? How could he have done anything to build a life and have children in the UK if he had had to beg to stay every two years? Disgusting. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Christopher Silver
Yesterday in Parliament I said that the government should leave X.
🔉What dangers does X pose to our democracy? And should the government stop using it?
Good to hear yesterday from @sundersays.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on the immense risk of X as it ignores legal obligations and its owner tries to influence UK politics.
@commonswec.parliament.uk
Good to hear yesterday from @sundersays.bsky.social and @petergeoghegan.bsky.social on the immense risk of X as it ignores legal obligations and its owner tries to influence UK politics.
@commonswec.parliament.uk
November 13, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Yesterday in Parliament I said that the government should leave X.
Reposted by Christopher Silver
The value of reading history is you know that in 1860 there were abolitionists who were so demoralized that they thought chattel slavery would be permanent. 5 years later those still alive had lived to see its end.
November 12, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The value of reading history is you know that in 1860 there were abolitionists who were so demoralized that they thought chattel slavery would be permanent. 5 years later those still alive had lived to see its end.
Reposted by Christopher Silver
"As is traditional, the current scandal is not being driven by public indignation or concern… If you want to kick off a scandal at the BBC you still really need to own a newspaper, or a television channel."
Dan Hind:
abolishwestminster.substack.com/p/abolish-th...
Dan Hind:
abolishwestminster.substack.com/p/abolish-th...
Abolish the BBC?
The real crisis for the broadcaster is the rise of US-based digital media and the growing need for a democratic media
abolishwestminster.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:23 PM
"As is traditional, the current scandal is not being driven by public indignation or concern… If you want to kick off a scandal at the BBC you still really need to own a newspaper, or a television channel."
Dan Hind:
abolishwestminster.substack.com/p/abolish-th...
Dan Hind:
abolishwestminster.substack.com/p/abolish-th...
Reposted by Christopher Silver
John Maclean: All that life can give us
19 Nov, University of Stirling – free
Author & poet Henry Bell will discuss his creative & historical work around Scottish socialist John Maclean (1879–1923), followed by an open archive & poetry reading
19 Nov, University of Stirling – free
Author & poet Henry Bell will discuss his creative & historical work around Scottish socialist John Maclean (1879–1923), followed by an open archive & poetry reading
November 12, 2025 at 6:51 PM
John Maclean: All that life can give us
19 Nov, University of Stirling – free
Author & poet Henry Bell will discuss his creative & historical work around Scottish socialist John Maclean (1879–1923), followed by an open archive & poetry reading
19 Nov, University of Stirling – free
Author & poet Henry Bell will discuss his creative & historical work around Scottish socialist John Maclean (1879–1923), followed by an open archive & poetry reading
Reposted by Christopher Silver
One way of telling the political story of the last ten years is of three wasted overall majorities.
A substantive majority in the Commons for a full term is the greatest prize the UK constitution can bestow on a PM, and three times in a row, it has been wasted by those prize-winners.
A substantive majority in the Commons for a full term is the greatest prize the UK constitution can bestow on a PM, and three times in a row, it has been wasted by those prize-winners.
November 12, 2025 at 10:41 AM
One way of telling the political story of the last ten years is of three wasted overall majorities.
A substantive majority in the Commons for a full term is the greatest prize the UK constitution can bestow on a PM, and three times in a row, it has been wasted by those prize-winners.
A substantive majority in the Commons for a full term is the greatest prize the UK constitution can bestow on a PM, and three times in a row, it has been wasted by those prize-winners.
Reform and their enablers aren’t simply out to destroy public institutions like the BBC. They truly seek an entirely transformed, far narrower, definition of the British public. We need to create decentralised institutional structures that can resist this.
Scotland, Britain, and the world need a federal BBC that can truly represent the many publics and communities that call these islands home, writes Christopher Silver ✍️
Read here: www.thenational.scot/commen...
Read here: www.thenational.scot/commen...
November 11, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Reform and their enablers aren’t simply out to destroy public institutions like the BBC. They truly seek an entirely transformed, far narrower, definition of the British public. We need to create decentralised institutional structures that can resist this.
Reposted by Christopher Silver
Incredible that Robbie Gibb - most influential person on BBC board by many accounts and from journalists I speak in BBC - was involved in setting up GB News.
GB News of course has breached Ofcom rules on *multiple* occasions - no sign of resignations though
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
GB News of course has breached Ofcom rules on *multiple* occasions - no sign of resignations though
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Enforced veganism’: Ofcom lets GB News flout accuracy rules, say climate campaigners
Exclusive: Regulator has received 1,221 complaints about UK broadcasters since 2020 but found no breaches of its code
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Incredible that Robbie Gibb - most influential person on BBC board by many accounts and from journalists I speak in BBC - was involved in setting up GB News.
GB News of course has breached Ofcom rules on *multiple* occasions - no sign of resignations though
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
GB News of course has breached Ofcom rules on *multiple* occasions - no sign of resignations though
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Without a reigning liberal consensus there can be no public service media.
bsky.app/profile/thei...
bsky.app/profile/thei...
🔴 Breaking I Davie faced mounting criticism that a Panorama documentary misled viewers by editing a speech by Donald Trump
➡️ Read more: trib.al/I0iw7aP
➡️ Read more: trib.al/I0iw7aP
November 9, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Without a reigning liberal consensus there can be no public service media.
bsky.app/profile/thei...
bsky.app/profile/thei...
Reposted by Christopher Silver
The UK is behaving abysmally.
Environmental protesters are being given licence conditions on release from jail that are supposed to be limited to extremism cases.
Ella Ward, 22, was banned from going to any meetings or gatherings, except for worship, without permission.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
Ella Ward, 22, was banned from going to any meetings or gatherings, except for worship, without permission.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/nov...
Jailed UK climate protesters facing conditions reserved for extremists on release
Exclusive: Just Stop Oil activist was banned from attending gatherings, including meeting a friend in a cafe, without permission
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:37 AM
The UK is behaving abysmally.
Reposted by Christopher Silver
Today marks just six months to go until the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election! As is now usual, I'll be looking to commission a pre-election poll. If you can, please chip in to the crowdfunder here - all donations gratefully received, and even if you can't donate, please share!
gofund.me/cf862de1a
gofund.me/cf862de1a
Donate to Ballot Box Scotland SP26 Fundraiser, organized by Allan Faulds
This funding will support Ballot Box Scotland's reporting ahead of the 2026 Scottish … Allan Faulds needs your support for Ballot Box Scotland SP26 Fundraiser
gofund.me
November 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Today marks just six months to go until the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election! As is now usual, I'll be looking to commission a pre-election poll. If you can, please chip in to the crowdfunder here - all donations gratefully received, and even if you can't donate, please share!
gofund.me/cf862de1a
gofund.me/cf862de1a
Reposted by Christopher Silver
It shouldn’t be forgotten that a big piece of Mamdani’s campaign was simply “cities are cool and lots of people enjoy living in them” which in and of itself dismantles alot of rightwing talking points
November 7, 2025 at 12:02 PM
It shouldn’t be forgotten that a big piece of Mamdani’s campaign was simply “cities are cool and lots of people enjoy living in them” which in and of itself dismantles alot of rightwing talking points
Reposted by Christopher Silver
The perfect photo to challenge narratives of progress.
November 7, 2025 at 8:08 AM
The perfect photo to challenge narratives of progress.
Reposted by Christopher Silver
Imagine a country where hundreds of thousands of legal permanent residents find stripped of their status and forced to reapply for their right to remain. Many no longer meet the criteria, plunged into illegality, subject to deportation.
@emile-chabal.bsky.social
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/05/b...
@emile-chabal.bsky.social
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/05/b...
Britain Is Having the World’s Most Extreme Immigration Debate
The British discourse makes even the Trump administration look moderate.
foreignpolicy.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Imagine a country where hundreds of thousands of legal permanent residents find stripped of their status and forced to reapply for their right to remain. Many no longer meet the criteria, plunged into illegality, subject to deportation.
@emile-chabal.bsky.social
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/05/b...
@emile-chabal.bsky.social
foreignpolicy.com/2025/11/05/b...
Reposted by Christopher Silver
So pleased to get my book "Travels through the Spanish Civil War". @HurstPublishers publishers have done a wonderful job in producing it.
Advanced copies available thru
www.hurstpublishers.com/book/travels... with 25% off with code TRAVELS25. Otherwise 20 November in UK/Europe and 5 Jan for US, etc
Advanced copies available thru
www.hurstpublishers.com/book/travels... with 25% off with code TRAVELS25. Otherwise 20 November in UK/Europe and 5 Jan for US, etc
November 1, 2025 at 10:43 AM
So pleased to get my book "Travels through the Spanish Civil War". @HurstPublishers publishers have done a wonderful job in producing it.
Advanced copies available thru
www.hurstpublishers.com/book/travels... with 25% off with code TRAVELS25. Otherwise 20 November in UK/Europe and 5 Jan for US, etc
Advanced copies available thru
www.hurstpublishers.com/book/travels... with 25% off with code TRAVELS25. Otherwise 20 November in UK/Europe and 5 Jan for US, etc
David was a truly inveterate critical friend, editor, and mentor. He brought internationalism, impish enthusiasm for the new and memories of '68 to the NUJ and the wider Scottish public sphere. His legacy will remain a ward against the insular and dogmatic for generations.
bsky.app/profile/theg...
bsky.app/profile/theg...
November 3, 2025 at 7:13 PM
David was a truly inveterate critical friend, editor, and mentor. He brought internationalism, impish enthusiasm for the new and memories of '68 to the NUJ and the wider Scottish public sphere. His legacy will remain a ward against the insular and dogmatic for generations.
bsky.app/profile/theg...
bsky.app/profile/theg...
Reposted by Christopher Silver
We’re deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Elspeth King — a dear friend and great supporter of Alasdair Gray. 💛
Link in bio to read Gray’s piece on King for Workers City.
Link in bio to read Gray’s piece on King for Workers City.
November 1, 2025 at 11:06 AM
We’re deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Elspeth King — a dear friend and great supporter of Alasdair Gray. 💛
Link in bio to read Gray’s piece on King for Workers City.
Link in bio to read Gray’s piece on King for Workers City.
At some point it became socially acceptable to shit in the public sphere. We’re now rapidly descending into a prolonged rightist dirty protest. Disgust grabs attention and it’s all designed to make terrain of informed debate a cesspit- because that’s where they always lose
bsky.app/profile/youg...
bsky.app/profile/youg...
27% of white Britons say they don't feel well represented in advertising in terms of their race, with Reform MP Sarah Pochin causing a row on the subject
White Britons
Well represented: 65%
Not well represented: 27%
Ethnic minority Britons
Well: 42%
Not well: 51%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
White Britons
Well represented: 65%
Not well represented: 27%
Ethnic minority Britons
Well: 42%
Not well: 51%
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
November 1, 2025 at 1:12 PM
At some point it became socially acceptable to shit in the public sphere. We’re now rapidly descending into a prolonged rightist dirty protest. Disgust grabs attention and it’s all designed to make terrain of informed debate a cesspit- because that’s where they always lose
bsky.app/profile/youg...
bsky.app/profile/youg...
Reposted by Christopher Silver
I'm saddened to learn of the passing of Dr Elspeth King, the legendary curator of the People's Palace, and a fierce advocate for Glasgow and its history.
This was fascinating on the release of the film adaptation of Alasdair Gray's "Poor Things".
yoursforscotlandcom.wordpress.com/2024/01/10/p...
This was fascinating on the release of the film adaptation of Alasdair Gray's "Poor Things".
yoursforscotlandcom.wordpress.com/2024/01/10/p...
November 1, 2025 at 8:52 AM
I'm saddened to learn of the passing of Dr Elspeth King, the legendary curator of the People's Palace, and a fierce advocate for Glasgow and its history.
This was fascinating on the release of the film adaptation of Alasdair Gray's "Poor Things".
yoursforscotlandcom.wordpress.com/2024/01/10/p...
This was fascinating on the release of the film adaptation of Alasdair Gray's "Poor Things".
yoursforscotlandcom.wordpress.com/2024/01/10/p...