Helene von Bismarck
@helenebismarck.bsky.social
Historian and Writer, Anglophile and European. Dr. Phil. FRHistS. Senior Associate Fellow, RUSI.
All views strictly my own.
All views strictly my own.
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
There are many subtle and complex arguments one can have about the future of the BBC — but I guarantee you that no other channel or streaming service will be as committed to factual programming, children’s education, history shows, religious discussion, poetry, arts, or state of the nation debate
November 10, 2025 at 12:48 PM
There are many subtle and complex arguments one can have about the future of the BBC — but I guarantee you that no other channel or streaming service will be as committed to factual programming, children’s education, history shows, religious discussion, poetry, arts, or state of the nation debate
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
"The problem isn’t that we have a deliberately biased BBC, it’s that we have a BBC that has been consciously reduced in its scope and bullied into dumbing down and retreating." @stephenkb.bsky.social's newsletter today
November 10, 2025 at 9:40 AM
"The problem isn’t that we have a deliberately biased BBC, it’s that we have a BBC that has been consciously reduced in its scope and bullied into dumbing down and retreating." @stephenkb.bsky.social's newsletter today
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
The fact that the BBC has made serious culpable errors does not negate the point that there is a real and concerted right-wing media campaign to destroy it. Both points can be true at the same time and the campaign would not end even if the errors did.
November 10, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The fact that the BBC has made serious culpable errors does not negate the point that there is a real and concerted right-wing media campaign to destroy it. Both points can be true at the same time and the campaign would not end even if the errors did.
Petition to ban the word groupthink
November 10, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Petition to ban the word groupthink
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
👀 BBC’s Nick Robinson: “What has happened...what is happening at the BBC? In normal times you might be forgiven for dismissing that question as navel gazing by journalists who can't resist talking about themselves.” 1/
November 10, 2025 at 7:04 AM
👀 BBC’s Nick Robinson: “What has happened...what is happening at the BBC? In normal times you might be forgiven for dismissing that question as navel gazing by journalists who can't resist talking about themselves.” 1/
That is interesting. Didn’t know that.
One exciting thing about the BBC Board is it is one of the few places where each constituent kingdom of the UK gets an equal vote - power-sharing in action! Oh, and residents of England? Your representative is Sir Robbie Gibb <ducks for cover>
Seeing so many posts about who “Starmer and Nandy” will appoint as director general. Easy mistake but the government does not appoint the director general! The BBC board, whose members are appointed for rolling terms by the culture secretary, appoints the director general.
November 9, 2025 at 9:25 PM
That is interesting. Didn’t know that.
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
Davie's resignation statement suggests he'd just had enough rather than feeling he had to resign over this particular issue.
November 9, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Davie's resignation statement suggests he'd just had enough rather than feeling he had to resign over this particular issue.
Some interesting ideas in here, counterbalancing the pervading sense of inevitability that in the end only helps the very people it is directed against.
Peak Everything? My latest on whether we have passed peak Trump, peak stocks, peak populism and peak Farage, plus how to fight back against ethno-nationalists
Peak Everything
Thoughts on whether we have passed peak Trump, peak stocks, peak populism and peak Farage plus how to fight back against the ethno-nationalists
open.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Some interesting ideas in here, counterbalancing the pervading sense of inevitability that in the end only helps the very people it is directed against.
I continue to think that the BBC is one of Britain’s most important institutions, and it has been an honour to occasionaly contribute to their work in recent years. It has set international standards of journalism.
The resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness must be an opportunity for the BBC to turn a new leaf, rebuild trust and resist those like Nigel Farage who want to destroy it
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain.
November 9, 2025 at 8:54 PM
I continue to think that the BBC is one of Britain’s most important institutions, and it has been an honour to occasionaly contribute to their work in recent years. It has set international standards of journalism.
At this point could somebody please tell me hie many people in the UK actually read the Telegraph, it feels like a relevant question.
Don’t think I saw a single post from Trump himself about the BBC over the whole week btw, let alone an actual comment. It was all from the White House press team, in response to queries from UK media. Not sure the President even knows what Panorama *is*.
November 9, 2025 at 8:43 PM
At this point could somebody please tell me hie many people in the UK actually read the Telegraph, it feels like a relevant question.
What on earth is going on.
I had my disagreements with the BBC under Tim Davie but he was a decent man doing a difficult job.
To see Trump's White House claiming credit for his downfall and attacking the BBC should worry us all.
To see Trump's White House claiming credit for his downfall and attacking the BBC should worry us all.
November 9, 2025 at 8:39 PM
What on earth is going on.
I stay offline for one day.
What has happened?
What has happened?
Glad that someone has finally taken responsibility for the appalling assault on democracy that was the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Slightly confused that it's the Director-General of the BBC, but what do I know?
Slightly confused that it's the Director-General of the BBC, but what do I know?
November 9, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I stay offline for one day.
What has happened?
What has happened?
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
Look forward to more grand declations about how Europeans must emulate an America whose government is in the sixth week of shutdown and now can't provide safe air travel
✈️ FAA Ops Summary - 09/0300 ✈️
____________________________________________________________________
ADDITI0NAL STAFFING TRIGGERS ISSUED. LGA GROUND DELAY PROGRAM TIMED
OUT. DFW, IAH AND HOU GROUND DELAY PROGRAMS WERE CA... More info in image.
FAA Details. #AvGeek
____________________________________________________________________
ADDITI0NAL STAFFING TRIGGERS ISSUED. LGA GROUND DELAY PROGRAM TIMED
OUT. DFW, IAH AND HOU GROUND DELAY PROGRAMS WERE CA... More info in image.
FAA Details. #AvGeek
November 9, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Look forward to more grand declations about how Europeans must emulate an America whose government is in the sixth week of shutdown and now can't provide safe air travel
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
Imagine an EU-wide government shut down in its 6th week leading to serious disruption of air traffic. We would not hear the end of it in Anglophone media.
Look forward to more grand declations about how Europeans must emulate an America whose government is in the sixth week of shutdown and now can't provide safe air travel
✈️ FAA Ops Summary - 09/0300 ✈️
____________________________________________________________________
ADDITI0NAL STAFFING TRIGGERS ISSUED. LGA GROUND DELAY PROGRAM TIMED
OUT. DFW, IAH AND HOU GROUND DELAY PROGRAMS WERE CA... More info in image.
FAA Details. #AvGeek
____________________________________________________________________
ADDITI0NAL STAFFING TRIGGERS ISSUED. LGA GROUND DELAY PROGRAM TIMED
OUT. DFW, IAH AND HOU GROUND DELAY PROGRAMS WERE CA... More info in image.
FAA Details. #AvGeek
November 9, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Imagine an EU-wide government shut down in its 6th week leading to serious disruption of air traffic. We would not hear the end of it in Anglophone media.
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
The most incredible library in the world, @bodleian.ox.ac.uk opened to OTD 1602, through the energy, money & commitment of Sir Thomas Bodley. It began with 5k books, & now more than 22m, with 2m+reader visits a year, & multi-million online users across the globe. Privilged to be its 25th librarian!
November 8, 2025 at 7:20 AM
The most incredible library in the world, @bodleian.ox.ac.uk opened to OTD 1602, through the energy, money & commitment of Sir Thomas Bodley. It began with 5k books, & now more than 22m, with 2m+reader visits a year, & multi-million online users across the globe. Privilged to be its 25th librarian!
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
Jens Stoltenberg feared he would be Nato’s last secretary-general ⬇️
Jens Stoltenberg feared he would be Nato’s last secretary-general
Jens Stoltenberg feared he would be Nato’s last secretary-general
www.thetimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Jens Stoltenberg feared he would be Nato’s last secretary-general ⬇️
Amen to that.
I’m not in the room, so can’t tell who is stiffing who. UK definitely has weaker hand; is entirely to blame for Brexit; still gives mixed signals about EU. But, in today’s geopolitical environment, bad for both sides to let UK-EU relations fracture further. At some stage, finger pointing shd stop.
Good morning from Brussels, where an EU struggling internally and with its global position is trying to respond as it knows best, by punching down on smaller partners. For opening paragraphs suggest it is trying to renege on the common understanding with the UK. www.ft.com/content/8963...
November 8, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Amen to that.
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
Two very telling graphs on the effects of social media on the public conversation - one from @skynewsrss.bsky.social showing how X is amplifying right-wing politics in the UK, one from Germany showing how TikTok is enhancing far-right _and_ far-left content.
November 7, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Two very telling graphs on the effects of social media on the public conversation - one from @skynewsrss.bsky.social showing how X is amplifying right-wing politics in the UK, one from Germany showing how TikTok is enhancing far-right _and_ far-left content.
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
Also find this debate/discussion interesting as having done about as much history as one can do in English schooling, the Empire basically never featured (tho I think the other class did the Decolonisation paper).
This debate always makes me worry there’s something a bit wrong with me in that I don’t think the past is something you should draw pride or shame from. I have benefited from the British empire more than most Brits, but ultimately I am *not* my maternal great-great-great-grandfather!
On binary questions about Britain's colonial past, the median is Neither/Don't Know. (There are more constructive conversations than this which can unlock 75% common ground: teach it all, including the complexity and controversy)
November 7, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Also find this debate/discussion interesting as having done about as much history as one can do in English schooling, the Empire basically never featured (tho I think the other class did the Decolonisation paper).
Thank you. Exactly.
November 7, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Thank you. Exactly.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with you. It only shows your intelligence and ability to appreciate nuance. History is not the study of heroes and villains. (Although both of these feature in it.)
This debate always makes me worry there’s something a bit wrong with me in that I don’t think the past is something you should draw pride or shame from. I have benefited from the British empire more than most Brits, but ultimately I am *not* my maternal great-great-great-grandfather!
On binary questions about Britain's colonial past, the median is Neither/Don't Know. (There are more constructive conversations than this which can unlock 75% common ground: teach it all, including the complexity and controversy)
November 7, 2025 at 12:54 PM
There is absolutely nothing wrong with you. It only shows your intelligence and ability to appreciate nuance. History is not the study of heroes and villains. (Although both of these feature in it.)
They did what?
With Maurice Glasman and Dominic Lawson calling for the return of the stocks, we find most Britons opposed - although Reform voters are divided
All Britons: 21% support / 72% oppose
Lib Dem: 12% / 85%
Labour: 12% / 83%
Green: 13% / 82%
Con: 28% / 64%
Reform: 43% / 48%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
All Britons: 21% support / 72% oppose
Lib Dem: 12% / 85%
Labour: 12% / 83%
Green: 13% / 82%
Con: 28% / 64%
Reform: 43% / 48%
yougov.co.uk/society/arti...
November 7, 2025 at 12:48 PM
They did what?
What.
Absolutely cracking opening…
‘Some, the nepo-babies of all parties, are born into politics. Some achieve political success through their own efforts. And some have politics thrust upon them unexpectedly.’
‘I am part of that last, and smallest, category.’
‘Some, the nepo-babies of all parties, are born into politics. Some achieve political success through their own efforts. And some have politics thrust upon them unexpectedly.’
‘I am part of that last, and smallest, category.’
November 6, 2025 at 9:01 PM
What.
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
Dominic Cummings has this racialised take on David Lammy
There is an increasingly prevalent kneejerk online rightwing trait to call the presence of any black or Asian person a diversity hire
There is an increasingly prevalent kneejerk online rightwing trait to call the presence of any black or Asian person a diversity hire
November 6, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Dominic Cummings has this racialised take on David Lammy
There is an increasingly prevalent kneejerk online rightwing trait to call the presence of any black or Asian person a diversity hire
There is an increasingly prevalent kneejerk online rightwing trait to call the presence of any black or Asian person a diversity hire
Reposted by Helene von Bismarck
Prevent stats published today www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...
Far-right cases referred to Prevent programme double those for Islamist extremism
A record 8,778 people were referred to the government’s anti-extremism scheme in the year to March 2025
www.independent.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Prevent stats published today www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crim...