Arthur Snell
@snellarthur.bsky.social
Writer, podcaster and former diplomat.
Buy my book👇
https://tr.ee/ElementalAmazon
https://tr.ee/ElementalWaterstones
Buy my book👇
https://tr.ee/ElementalAmazon
https://tr.ee/ElementalWaterstones
Pinned
Elemental: How we will live in a warming world
I'm excited to share with you the cover of my upcoming book, out in March.
open.substack.com
🚨🚨My book, Elemental, is out in March🚨🚨
But you can pre-order it now from Amazon & Waterstones. Amazon will lock in any future discount.
Why, I hear you ask?
Because *it's my 50th birthday today*
(Prosaic reason - it helps immensely if we get good pre-orders.)
open.substack.com/pub/arthursn...
But you can pre-order it now from Amazon & Waterstones. Amazon will lock in any future discount.
Why, I hear you ask?
Because *it's my 50th birthday today*
(Prosaic reason - it helps immensely if we get good pre-orders.)
open.substack.com/pub/arthursn...
It was my great pleasure to speak to @srd.bsky.social about competitive authoritarianism and what it means for our age. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
Are we living in an age of competitive authoritarianism
Podcast Episode · Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell · 11/11/2025 · 47m
podcasts.apple.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:31 PM
It was my great pleasure to speak to @srd.bsky.social about competitive authoritarianism and what it means for our age. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...
Reposted by Arthur Snell
Wanting the collapse of the BBC, lying about Brexit, or your tax proposals or an election result, all contribute to a sense of nihilism in politics. Nothing could suit authoritarian populists better than a disengaged, nihilist electorate. arthursnell.substack.com/p/the-age-of...
The Age of Nihilism
There's plenty to be sceptical about, but nihilism is destroying democracy
arthursnell.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Wanting the collapse of the BBC, lying about Brexit, or your tax proposals or an election result, all contribute to a sense of nihilism in politics. Nothing could suit authoritarian populists better than a disengaged, nihilist electorate. arthursnell.substack.com/p/the-age-of...
Reposted by Arthur Snell
Boris Johnson says the idea that criticism of the BBC is being organised by the right is ‘complete and utter bollocks’, which makes me think there might be something in it.
November 11, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Boris Johnson says the idea that criticism of the BBC is being organised by the right is ‘complete and utter bollocks’, which makes me think there might be something in it.
Reposted by Arthur Snell
NEWS: The UK is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal, sources familiar with the matter told CNN. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
Exclusive: UK suspends some intelligence sharing with US over boat strike concerns in major break | CNN Politics
The United Kingdom is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes ...
edition.cnn.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:06 PM
NEWS: The UK is no longer sharing intelligence with the US about suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean because it does not want to be complicit in US military strikes and believes the attacks are illegal, sources familiar with the matter told CNN. edition.cnn.com/2025/11/11/p...
Wanting the collapse of the BBC, lying about Brexit, or your tax proposals or an election result, all contribute to a sense of nihilism in politics. Nothing could suit authoritarian populists better than a disengaged, nihilist electorate. arthursnell.substack.com/p/the-age-of...
The Age of Nihilism
There's plenty to be sceptical about, but nihilism is destroying democracy
arthursnell.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Wanting the collapse of the BBC, lying about Brexit, or your tax proposals or an election result, all contribute to a sense of nihilism in politics. Nothing could suit authoritarian populists better than a disengaged, nihilist electorate. arthursnell.substack.com/p/the-age-of...
In 1996 I did a little in internship at BBC Westminster. At the time, Robbie Gibb was one of the producers there. Even in that period, he was self evidently a pro-Tory apparatchik, who made no attempt to hide his agenda from his colleagues or even from the little work experience kid.
November 11, 2025 at 9:37 AM
In 1996 I did a little in internship at BBC Westminster. At the time, Robbie Gibb was one of the producers there. Even in that period, he was self evidently a pro-Tory apparatchik, who made no attempt to hide his agenda from his colleagues or even from the little work experience kid.
Reposted by Arthur Snell
According to Ukraine’s General Staff, in the early hours of 11 November the Defence Forces struck three key targets: the Saratov oil refinery (a series of explosions ignited a large fire); the Morskoy Oil Terminal in Feodosia (hits on fuel storage tanks); and sites in occupied Donetsk region — 👇
November 11, 2025 at 9:08 AM
According to Ukraine’s General Staff, in the early hours of 11 November the Defence Forces struck three key targets: the Saratov oil refinery (a series of explosions ignited a large fire); the Morskoy Oil Terminal in Feodosia (hits on fuel storage tanks); and sites in occupied Donetsk region — 👇
Reposted by Arthur Snell
If a self-identifying “left of centre” government with a parliamentary majority of more than a hundred seats won’t defend a vital public service institution you really have to ask why it’s in government at all.
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 9:08 AM
If a self-identifying “left of centre” government with a parliamentary majority of more than a hundred seats won’t defend a vital public service institution you really have to ask why it’s in government at all.
Reposted by Arthur Snell
How can an authoritarian fascist be "leader of the free world". Americans are not free. They are being terrorised by Trump's Gestapo. They are no more free than Russians.
November 11, 2025 at 8:58 AM
How can an authoritarian fascist be "leader of the free world". Americans are not free. They are being terrorised by Trump's Gestapo. They are no more free than Russians.
Reposted by Arthur Snell
A brilliant example of what Lewis Goodall talks about when he argues why right-wing radicals keep winning. They don't play by the rules and simply don't care. Whereas the institutions they want to destroy do even when said rules are contorted to absurdity and are blatantly being used against them.
The founder of Newsmax was just on the Today programme pontificating about bias. Boy, the BBC loves to submit itself to flagellation.
November 11, 2025 at 8:45 AM
A brilliant example of what Lewis Goodall talks about when he argues why right-wing radicals keep winning. They don't play by the rules and simply don't care. Whereas the institutions they want to destroy do even when said rules are contorted to absurdity and are blatantly being used against them.
Reposted by Arthur Snell
If you think that “the slow vanishing of employee benefits” is a better trade politically than “the other lot saying you broke your promise on income tax”, you are out of your tree: www.ft.com/content/1160...
November 11, 2025 at 12:16 AM
If you think that “the slow vanishing of employee benefits” is a better trade politically than “the other lot saying you broke your promise on income tax”, you are out of your tree: www.ft.com/content/1160...
Reposted by Arthur Snell
Though Trump’s pardons can’t extend to state crimes, I think it’s worth pointing out the message being conveyed:
Trump’s allies are alleged to have stolen data from state voting systems in an effort to help him overturn an election he lost.
Now he’s pardoning them for it.
bsky.app/profile/anna...
Trump’s allies are alleged to have stolen data from state voting systems in an effort to help him overturn an election he lost.
Now he’s pardoning them for it.
bsky.app/profile/anna...
News coverage of this has focused on the pardon of those involved in the fake electors plot.
But the pardon also extends to key figures who participated in the unauthorized breach of voting systems in Coffee County, Georgia
My reporting on the breach: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/what...
But the pardon also extends to key figures who participated in the unauthorized breach of voting systems in Coffee County, Georgia
My reporting on the breach: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/what...
November 10, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Though Trump’s pardons can’t extend to state crimes, I think it’s worth pointing out the message being conveyed:
Trump’s allies are alleged to have stolen data from state voting systems in an effort to help him overturn an election he lost.
Now he’s pardoning them for it.
bsky.app/profile/anna...
Trump’s allies are alleged to have stolen data from state voting systems in an effort to help him overturn an election he lost.
Now he’s pardoning them for it.
bsky.app/profile/anna...
Reposted by Arthur Snell
A 2% wealth tax on assets over £10 million is reasonable - that's why 75% of the public support it along with 80% of millionaires.
Our member @stephenstroud.bsky.social chats to GB News.
Our member @stephenstroud.bsky.social chats to GB News.
November 11, 2025 at 8:01 AM
A 2% wealth tax on assets over £10 million is reasonable - that's why 75% of the public support it along with 80% of millionaires.
Our member @stephenstroud.bsky.social chats to GB News.
Our member @stephenstroud.bsky.social chats to GB News.
Reposted by Arthur Snell
It would be worth spending £10m to fight this all the way on substance, jurisdiction, process etc. He’s not the only autocrat watching this.
November 11, 2025 at 7:45 AM
It would be worth spending £10m to fight this all the way on substance, jurisdiction, process etc. He’s not the only autocrat watching this.
Reposted by Arthur Snell
I've always felt that Johnson and Farage put self-interest over the national interest - hence their dallying with Putin and his oligarchs. But directly colluding with a foreign government to take down the BBC feels like an act of supreme treachery
November 10, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I've always felt that Johnson and Farage put self-interest over the national interest - hence their dallying with Putin and his oligarchs. But directly colluding with a foreign government to take down the BBC feels like an act of supreme treachery
Reposted by Arthur Snell
I do not understand the Labour government's reticence over defending the BBC and social media regulation. Their long-term survival basically depends on it. Their cowardice in the face of it may be the single thing they are most remembered for.
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
BBC faces ‘existential’ threat after exit of top executives
Broadcaster’s deepest crisis in recent history comes amid fresh questions over its future role in British society
on.ft.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:35 AM
I do not understand the Labour government's reticence over defending the BBC and social media regulation. Their long-term survival basically depends on it. Their cowardice in the face of it may be the single thing they are most remembered for.
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
on.ft.com/3JVxC1Z via @FT
Reposted by Arthur Snell
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 Arthur Snell
this is literally never not accurate
November 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM
this is literally never not accurate
In memoriam Francis Snell. Died at the Somme, July 1916
November 11, 2025 at 7:31 AM
In memoriam Francis Snell. Died at the Somme, July 1916
Reposted by Arthur Snell
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.
I reckon a reasonable test of someone’s patriotism might be if they want to see the end of an historic national institution that is trusted and respected worldwide because they don’t like everything that institution does.
November 11, 2025 at 7:14 AM
I reckon a reasonable test of someone’s patriotism might be if they want to see the end of an historic national institution that is trusted and respected worldwide because they don’t like everything that institution does.
Reposted by Arthur Snell
We need a big-screen Sharaa/Jolani biopic. Sacha Baron-Cohen the obvious casting choice, but I hear Daniel Day Lewis is back from retirement too…
You spend your adult life fighting against a dictator with opulent, garish tastes. You finally prevail and walk the insides of the dictator’s abandoned palaces: gaudy, obscene, covered in gold bought with the people’s money.
And then the next thing you know…
And then the next thing you know…
November 10, 2025 at 11:20 PM
We need a big-screen Sharaa/Jolani biopic. Sacha Baron-Cohen the obvious casting choice, but I hear Daniel Day Lewis is back from retirement too…
It means you say napkin and don't go on cruises in warm places. But it might be okay for middle class people to be on a cruise if it involves a cold place or people giving you lectures all the time.
Could someone explain to me what is meant when a British person refers to "the middle class" ? Like, in the US, as I hear it, it basically just means a person who makes a certain amount of money, not too far below and not wildly above the median. Seems like a complex concept when UK writers use it?
November 10, 2025 at 10:33 PM
It means you say napkin and don't go on cruises in warm places. But it might be okay for middle class people to be on a cruise if it involves a cold place or people giving you lectures all the time.
Reposted by Arthur Snell
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