Rich

Rich

@delff.bsky.social

I have no idea if I'm a liberal or lefty, Trekkie or Trekker, all I know is I'm not on the right. Formerly AlphaRichard on X. Yeah, it was a terrible name, it was meant to be a neutral tag but I didn't realise toxic masculinity would become so prevalent

272 followers68 following1.3K posts

Rich
@delff.bsky.social

No word from @georgemonbiot.bsky.social on Labour declaring the Greens a racist party. Obviously Osborne chose the view that Zionism is not racism and eloquently described his reasoning. Yet since then Labour has stoked more division, on purpose, under clear pressure from lobbying. #ZionismIsRacism

Rich reposted

Tony Dexter
@timbleman.bsky.social

Lest we forget old Hunt who in 2018 had to apologise after failing to declare his 50% interest in a company that purchased seven luxury flats. The flats were worth over £3m the purchase was Hunt and his wife jointly

Rich reposted

Leicester Gazette
@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *

Rich reposted

รℓσαɳε ℓყรɓεƭɦ
@sloanelysbeth.northsky.social

peter doesn't care about the morality he just cares about what percentage of the population this will appeal too funny how he doesn't view labour's transphobic policies in terms of public appeal labour are mass murdering transgender ppl. the cass review has killed over 600 ppl in less than 2 years

wearequeeraf.comThe deadly toll of the trans healthcare crisis: 21 suicides and over 600 other deathsQueerAF can reveal figures that show 618 people have died while under the care of an NHS gender clinic, at least 21 by suicide.
Peter Walker@peterwalker99.bsky.social

It's another policy which feels most likely to appeal solely to the 20% or so Reform core vote, and also to harden other voters' resolve to vote however is needed to keep out a Reform government - as do many of their recent announcements.

Rich reposted

รℓσαɳε ℓყรɓεƭɦ
@sloanelysbeth.northsky.social

Replying to @frapacioli.bsky.social

the number is probably higher.

รℓσαɳε ℓყรɓεƭɦ@sloanelysbeth.northsky.social

peter doesn't care about the morality he just cares about what percentage of the population this will appeal too funny how he doesn't view labour's transphobic policies in terms of public appeal labour are mass murdering transgender ppl. the cass review has killed over 600 ppl in less than 2 years

wearequeeraf.comThe deadly toll of the trans healthcare crisis: 21 suicides and over 600 other deathsQueerAF can reveal figures that show 618 people have died while under the care of an NHS gender clinic, at least 21 by suicide.

Rich reposted

รℓσαɳε ℓყรɓεƭɦ
@sloanelysbeth.northsky.social

i don't care how jk rowling is justifying her murderous bigotry today actually. over 600 transgender ppl have died in the uk in the last 18 months bcos of policies she demanded the british government implement. she is a monster. i don't care how much you like harry potter.

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Anti-Reform
@antireform.bsky.social

"... Postal workers have expressed deep frustration, stating they feel forced to distribute the political material after Royal Mail management allegedly told staff the party had paid a 'significant amount' of money for the mandatory delivery contract" via Rachel Rock www.facebook.com/groups/19585...

Rich
@delff.bsky.social

I sort of wish I was at the #MCMexpo #LondonComicCon at Excel in London. Problem is the event is terrible for those with low mobility, no places to sit, food queues are insane, prices are disgusting, tickets aren't worth the cost anymore. Oh and the venue has been used to host far right rallies

Rich reposted

Chris Smith
@ledredman.bsky.social

Replying to @jdportes.bsky.social

A decision was taken by the BBC about 30 years ago to put fascists onto their news and politics shows. Whether this was a misguided attempt to allow free speech or there was a darker motive, the results for this country have been nothing short of catastrophic.

Rich reposted

Al Jazeera Investigates
@ajiunit.com

"They can start cutting people's faces up. They can stab someone. They can shoot someone." EXCLUSIVE: Our hidden cameras capture the leader of Turning Point UK organising a fake rally for a foreign government and helping arrange a murder-for-hire with loyalist paramilitaries.

Rich reposted

Molly Scott Cato
@greenpartymolly.bsky.social

Depressing to hear the BBC propagating the non-story started by the Tories about the possibility of power cuts because of renewables A classic fossil fuel lie being given credibility by our public service broadcaster #BBCR4Today

Rich reposted

Dr Charlie Gardner
@charliejgardner.bsky.social

Whenever someone says that electricity is expensive because of decarbonisation, there are only two possibilities Either they are knowingly lying to you Or they are the victims of disinformation, and have been fooled by someone who was lying to them

ECIU@eciu.net

Expensive gas behind ‘nearly 90%’ of rise in UK electricity bills, new analysis from @nesta_uk in @CarbonBrief Contradicts idea, which has become embedded in UK media and political narratives, that UK’s net zero target is to blame for high energy bills www.carbonbrief.org/revealed-ex...

Rich reposted

BladeoftheSun
@bladeofthes.bsky.social

Tourists are getting angry at being blocked from going in Louvre in France by protestors. These blockades are going to go on a long time, France knows civil action, and they know it works. Wages, Housing, Education is much more important then keeping tourists happy.

Rich reposted

MeidasTouch
@meidastouch.com

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: No Kings organizer Ezra Levin SOUNDS ALARM after Meta suspended the movement’s Instagram during nationwide protests. LEVIN: “We might be seeing something similar from Meta in our country right now.” “We're not gonna stop organizing against this regime.”

Rich reposted

BladeoftheSun
@bladeofthes.bsky.social

The Supreme Court burns to the ground in Albania, Parliament and the Department of Education has been stormed, the Prime Minister is in hiding and the country is effectively in the hands of the rebels. Albania rejects blatant corruption and their country being sold.

Rich reposted

Sven-Erik Volberg
@volberg.bsky.social

Milk so aged it could itself be a weapon. '94 President Clinton praises Ukraine’s courageous decision to surrender its nuclear arsenal, pledging full US support for its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also considers it unlikely that russia would ever attempt to seize Crimea.

Kyle Griffin@kylegriffin1.bsky.social

BREAKING: WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump puts new Russia sanctions passed by Congress on hold, saying a waiver is in the US national interest.

Rich reposted

Bat Krown 🦇🎃
@katbrownwrites.com

Someone has just sent me the 14 page, 40 question “self-assessment” form they have been sent to stay on the NHS waiting list they have been on *for five years.* What the fuck. This looks worse than the stupidly named Access to Work (for working people), and that was so insane it made me cry.

Rich reposted

THE NERVE
@thenerve.news

For the first time, the British government has acknowledged that Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum. So who did BBC Newsnight invite on to discuss what happened? Sergei Markov, Putin’s former spokesman. Par for the course, says Nerve co-founder @carolecadwalla.bsky.social 1/

Rich reposted

LBC Watch
@lbcwatchuk.bsky.social

He just interviewed a guy from The Centre For Social Justice which, on paper, sounds like a credible organisation. But this graphic shows they're just another phony right wing operator.

LBC Watch@lbcwatchuk.bsky.social

Nick Ferrari going after "feckless Brits" this morning, and "supporting" migrant grafters. Entirely predictable because: 1) Immigration is down 2) There's a campaign to cut benefits for anyone under pension age. Reform UK's non-pensioner support base is choc full of feckless Brits. @lbc.co.uk

Rich reposted

BladeoftheSun
@bladeofthes.bsky.social

The IDF beating Orthodox Jews who are protesting being forcefully conscripted into the IDF to commit War Crimes. I can't imagine the Media response if any other country did this to Jews to force them to serve in the army. But it wouldn't be silence.

Rich reposted

Nick Pettigrew
@nick-pettigrew.bsky.social

*This* Nigel Farage, you mean?

Josh Self@josh.politics.co.uk

🚨NEW: Farage calls Burnham ‘a liar’ over claim Russia interfered in Brexit vote “There was no Russian interference, and the Russia hoax has run all the way through this”, he told a press conference in Dover Full story 👇 www.politics.co.uk/2026/10/fara...

politics.co.ukFarage calls Burnham ‘a liar’ over claim Russia interfered in Brexit vote - Politics.co.ukNigel Farage has called Andy Burnham “a liar” after the prime minister said he had been told Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum. During a press conference in Dover on Monday morning, the ...