James O’Brien
@mrjamesob.bsky.social
Broadcaster @lbc.co.uk
Author: https://www.waterstones.com/book/how-they-broke-britain/james-obrien/9780753560365
Author: https://www.waterstones.com/book/how-they-broke-britain/james-obrien/9780753560365
Yes. This ludicrous phrase 'woke right' seems a fairly blatant attempt by people on the actual right to somehow associate the blatant & hideous racism they have ushered in - whether through complacency, incompetence or malice - with the people who warned it was happening.
Anti-racism is of course welcome but the nonsensical phrase “woke right” is a very clear sign that a writer as lost it
"This week the woke right took to saying that people who are black aren't properly British" complains Danny Finkelstein.
No, Danny, Douglas Murray, who you patronised, promoted and admired, has been saying *exactly this* for over a decade.
archive.ph/2025.11.12-0...
No, Danny, Douglas Murray, who you patronised, promoted and admired, has been saying *exactly this* for over a decade.
archive.ph/2025.11.12-0...
November 12, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Yes. This ludicrous phrase 'woke right' seems a fairly blatant attempt by people on the actual right to somehow associate the blatant & hideous racism they have ushered in - whether through complacency, incompetence or malice - with the people who warned it was happening.
Reposted by James O’Brien
"This week the woke right took to saying that people who are black aren't properly British" complains Danny Finkelstein.
No, Danny, Douglas Murray, who you patronised, promoted and admired, has been saying *exactly this* for over a decade.
archive.ph/2025.11.12-0...
No, Danny, Douglas Murray, who you patronised, promoted and admired, has been saying *exactly this* for over a decade.
archive.ph/2025.11.12-0...
archive.ph
November 12, 2025 at 9:01 AM
"This week the woke right took to saying that people who are black aren't properly British" complains Danny Finkelstein.
No, Danny, Douglas Murray, who you patronised, promoted and admired, has been saying *exactly this* for over a decade.
archive.ph/2025.11.12-0...
No, Danny, Douglas Murray, who you patronised, promoted and admired, has been saying *exactly this* for over a decade.
archive.ph/2025.11.12-0...
Reposted by James O’Brien
My post yesterday on the $Ibn Trump legal threat against the BBC has been picked up by newspapers around the world. It would appear few had gone through the letter and spotted that, well, it contained no evidence in support of its claims of damage.
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November 12, 2025 at 8:37 AM
My post yesterday on the $Ibn Trump legal threat against the BBC has been picked up by newspapers around the world. It would appear few had gone through the letter and spotted that, well, it contained no evidence in support of its claims of damage.
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>
Reposted by James O’Brien
Watching Wes Streeting on Sky News successfully skewer the overnight Downing Street briefings against him, you almost have to admire the ineptitude of those around Keir Starmer in turning his own leadership problems into a major story while boosting the very politician they sought to kneecap
November 12, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Watching Wes Streeting on Sky News successfully skewer the overnight Downing Street briefings against him, you almost have to admire the ineptitude of those around Keir Starmer in turning his own leadership problems into a major story while boosting the very politician they sought to kneecap
That final point is absolutely crucial.
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 12, 2025 at 8:09 AM
That final point is absolutely crucial.
I find the endless, often pointless drama that has typified UK politics coverage for a decade as draining & unedifying as anyone. But, *as of now* & by every relevant measure, Starmer’s position is perilously close to untenable. Of course people are planning for a future where he’s no longer leader.
November 12, 2025 at 7:58 AM
I find the endless, often pointless drama that has typified UK politics coverage for a decade as draining & unedifying as anyone. But, *as of now* & by every relevant measure, Starmer’s position is perilously close to untenable. Of course people are planning for a future where he’s no longer leader.
“On the other hand, she does have a white face. So let’s not be too hasty.”
"The public will rightly say: This woman has lied."
Rachel Reeves should resign if she increases income tax, says Robert Jenrick.
Rachel Reeves should resign if she increases income tax, says Robert Jenrick.
November 12, 2025 at 7:54 AM
“On the other hand, she does have a white face. So let’s not be too hasty.”
Very Kenty.
Cornwall Reform UK branch mired in infighting over leadership change
www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwal...
www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwal...
Cornwall Reform branch mired in infighting over leadership change
After the spat at a Cornish branch, the party at national level pointed out that the complaint was inaccurate and misunderstood the rules
www.cornwalllive.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Very Kenty.
In these times of rancour & division, it’s comforting to find things on which we can all agree: Kent County Council, for example, really does provide a perfect illustration of how well Reform would run the country. I agree with Nigel!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Kent fire authority 'in disarray' amid Reform UK video leak row
A firefighters union claims Reform UK suspending councillors is impacting the local fire authority.
www.bbc.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:55 PM
In these times of rancour & division, it’s comforting to find things on which we can all agree: Kent County Council, for example, really does provide a perfect illustration of how well Reform would run the country. I agree with Nigel!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by James O’Brien
“Fearless journalism is what terrifies politicians, and it must not be cowed."
The BBC must stand up to Trump's $1 billion lawsuit - or risk legitimising the president's false narrative of what really happened on January 6
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/if-t...
The BBC must stand up to Trump's $1 billion lawsuit - or risk legitimising the president's false narrative of what really happened on January 6
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/if-t...
'If the BBC backs down to Trump, it doesn’t deserve to survive’ | The News Agents
What’s the next move for the BBC, after Donald Trump’s threat to sue the broadcaster for a billion dollars – and why what it decides will influence much more than its own future.
www.thenewsagents.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 4:46 PM
“Fearless journalism is what terrifies politicians, and it must not be cowed."
The BBC must stand up to Trump's $1 billion lawsuit - or risk legitimising the president's false narrative of what really happened on January 6
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/if-t...
The BBC must stand up to Trump's $1 billion lawsuit - or risk legitimising the president's false narrative of what really happened on January 6
www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/if-t...
The political popularity of child poverty.
Of course people are intimidated by the proliferation of flags. That’s the point of them.
Telling children mum or dad has cancer.
tinyurl.com/4rrn2mkx
Of course people are intimidated by the proliferation of flags. That’s the point of them.
Telling children mum or dad has cancer.
tinyurl.com/4rrn2mkx
James O'Brien Daily
Daily News Podcast · Updated daily · Welcome to the best bits of James O'Brien's LBC phone-in show.
Listen back to all the highlights in a 60-minute bite sized chunk of his show with new episodes ever...
tinyurl.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:51 PM
The political popularity of child poverty.
Of course people are intimidated by the proliferation of flags. That’s the point of them.
Telling children mum or dad has cancer.
tinyurl.com/4rrn2mkx
Of course people are intimidated by the proliferation of flags. That’s the point of them.
Telling children mum or dad has cancer.
tinyurl.com/4rrn2mkx
Reposted by James O’Brien
Reposted by James O’Brien
Ah, Captain Archibald Maule Ramsay MP, BBC critic and (checks notes) a pro-Nazi who the wartime Churchill coalition interned.
February 1937 Tory campaign against BBC "bias". To be fair, if Captain Maule Ramsay was leading the charge, "left-wing" probably covered everything up to and including Mussolini...
November 11, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Ah, Captain Archibald Maule Ramsay MP, BBC critic and (checks notes) a pro-Nazi who the wartime Churchill coalition interned.
Reposted by James O’Brien
I'm not sure if others have noticed this, but interesting that one of the Prescott criticisms of the BBC is based on those of the 'History Reclaimed' group, which is also associated with the 'Restore Trust' group's attacks on & so far unsuccessful attempts to take control of the National Trust. 1/3
November 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
I'm not sure if others have noticed this, but interesting that one of the Prescott criticisms of the BBC is based on those of the 'History Reclaimed' group, which is also associated with the 'Restore Trust' group's attacks on & so far unsuccessful attempts to take control of the National Trust. 1/3
Reposted by James O’Brien
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM
SUPERB and angrily unvarnished response, by former BBC chairman, Lord Patten.
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
"I don't think that we should allow ourselves to be bullied into thinking that the BBC is only any good, if it reflects the prejudice of the last person who shouted at it." ~AA
Trump's White House & fawning hacks here don't really care about the 0.001% that the BBC gets wrong. They care about all the stuff it gets right.
November 11, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Trump's White House & fawning hacks here don't really care about the 0.001% that the BBC gets wrong. They care about all the stuff it gets right.
Reposted by James O’Brien
Another case of Reform saying one thing then doing the other:
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madness” and “extortion”
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madness” and “extortion”
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform Council To Double Tax On Second Homes Despite Nigel Farage Calling The Idea 'Madness'
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madne...
www.politicshome.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Another case of Reform saying one thing then doing the other:
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madness” and “extortion”
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madness” and “extortion”
By me, for Politics Home www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by James O’Brien
I think, as an American who studied the speech to assess whether it constituted unlawful incitement, the BBC edit was poor journalistic form, but it did not convey something substantively different than reality. My thing? The apology doesn’t convey to me that the BBC gets Trump isn’t a fair broker.
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:53 AM
I think, as an American who studied the speech to assess whether it constituted unlawful incitement, the BBC edit was poor journalistic form, but it did not convey something substantively different than reality. My thing? The apology doesn’t convey to me that the BBC gets Trump isn’t a fair broker.
Reposted by James O’Brien
Tory culture spox demanding the BBC "grovel" to Trump is baffling. Who is this supposed to chime with?
Just a bizarre line that no one who doesn't use X would ever think.
Just a bizarre line that no one who doesn't use X would ever think.
November 11, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Tory culture spox demanding the BBC "grovel" to Trump is baffling. Who is this supposed to chime with?
Just a bizarre line that no one who doesn't use X would ever think.
Just a bizarre line that no one who doesn't use X would ever think.
I feel that the understandable focus on their, erm, hedonism often eclipses the extraordinary musicality (choonery, if you prefer) of the Happy Mondays.
November 11, 2025 at 7:55 AM
I feel that the understandable focus on their, erm, hedonism often eclipses the extraordinary musicality (choonery, if you prefer) of the Happy Mondays.
Reposted by James O’Brien
As I’ve seen this confused a few times, please note that Robin Gibb was a much-beloved member of the Bee Gees, whilst Robbie Gibb is the BBC board member who also, totally coincidentally, was editorial adviser in the set-up of GB News.
I know, Bee Gees, GBeebies, a bit confusing…
I know, Bee Gees, GBeebies, a bit confusing…
November 11, 2025 at 7:33 AM
As I’ve seen this confused a few times, please note that Robin Gibb was a much-beloved member of the Bee Gees, whilst Robbie Gibb is the BBC board member who also, totally coincidentally, was editorial adviser in the set-up of GB News.
I know, Bee Gees, GBeebies, a bit confusing…
I know, Bee Gees, GBeebies, a bit confusing…
Reposted by James O’Brien
Anybody who had a vision to bring American levels of political, cultural and social polarisation to Britain - whether their motive was clicks or cash, ideology, boredom or anything else - would make it their top strategic priority to abolish the BBC, or to damage and diminish it at the very least
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Anybody who had a vision to bring American levels of political, cultural and social polarisation to Britain - whether their motive was clicks or cash, ideology, boredom or anything else - would make it their top strategic priority to abolish the BBC, or to damage and diminish it at the very least
Reposted by James O’Brien
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
Reposted by James O’Brien
Trump Threatens To Sue BBC Over Misleading Edit Of ‘The Vicar Of Dibley’ https://theonion.com/trump-threatens-to-sue-bbc-over-misleading-edit-of-the-vicar-of-dibley/
November 10, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Trump Threatens To Sue BBC Over Misleading Edit Of ‘The Vicar Of Dibley’ https://theonion.com/trump-threatens-to-sue-bbc-over-misleading-edit-of-the-vicar-of-dibley/