Commentators here often ask why I do not get BBC air time.
In fairness, this week I have done:
- Radio 4 on fiscal rules on Monday
- Look North and then local radio stations on MPs' pay on Tuesday
- Radio 2 yesterday on the Spring Statement
- Radio 5 this morning with Nicky Campbell on tariffs - although as they admitted, they lost editorial control of the flow of the programme and so this did not work that well.
These are not the Today programme or Question Time, but four in four days, with three of them being national, this is not bad.
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There must be at least as many invitations which you turn down such as from GB News and from the USA, so make sure to be selective and to pace yourself.
I refuse GB News
I will not travel to the USA
Would US Border and Customs Protection let you into the country, Richard?
Who knows?
Well done, Richard. It must take a great deal of effort on your part to keep plugging away, and I’m sure the word is getting out there. Bravo. I only ever get LBC airtime, and that’s in very short bursts of comment!
Thanks Hannah
And you get a big mention plus video link from European Powell on X:
https://x.com/europeanpowell/status/1905245482252640515?s=61
Thanks
That is an improvement Richard, it has to be said. I’ve also noticed that R4 now seems to have had a series of programs that discuss neoliberal or ‘free market economics’, and not necessarily in a flattering way. No idea if you’ve caught them, but they’ve just started a series presented by none other than Richard Dimbleby about how neoliberalism came to be the dominant economic philosophy now, called Invisible Hands, on Wednesdays at 09.30. Well worth a listen. There was also a series of prgrams called , I think, Prophets of Profit on for a week in the last couple of months concerning the rise and effects of the ideology of shareholder value, though I can’t seem to find it on Sounds.
And interestingly, there’s suddenly quite a bit of left wing or very critical commentary on current politics on a couple of the 6.30 comedy slots. PSR noted last Friday’s The Naked Week where on the failure of the HoL to act against it’s own members re lobbying was showcased very forcefully by Andrew Hunter Murray who is really getting into his stride now.
And the just finished Alexei Sayle’s Imaginary Sandwich Bar has got very political, from a pretty left wing PoV…some real zingers going in from him. Interesting. Becasue nReeves rerally was copping some flak today from Robinson on the Today ptrogram as well. Maybe now the Tories have gone the Beeb feels free to be rather more political.
I’d love to see you on QT or on the Today program. Especially taking on anyone in this current governemnt.
All noted
And thank you
so – four in four days on BBC – quite an achievement in itself, and meanwhile, ‘back at the ranch’, you write these articles on ‘Funding the Future’ and you moderate our comments thereon. You go out for walks, whether it be for exercise, photography, relaxation, or to clear your mind for further observations, or indeed all 4. You listen to or read then interpret what is going on, not just in the UK, but in the World in general, in order to comment – we presume that occasionally you eat and sleep. Most people can do only a fraction of all that – so possibly you do not get BBC airtime more frequently is simply because you do not have sufficient time. Well done in all.
And I was actually working for Sheffield again today – unpaid now. Tomorrow, I am birdwatching.
And I promise I eat and sleep.
Richard, thank you. Your video “Reeves isn’t telling the truth” was excellent.
‘Events’ have made the need to rejoin the SM & CU a strategic and economic imperative (IMHO). Brexit is suffocating growth and costing us a fortune – and our neoliberal straitjacket means we’re going to be saddled with perpetual austerity, an ever deteriorating economy and falling living standards – until something changes.
We need a ‘Blueprint for a New Britain’. Would you consider producing it – along with other luminaries such as Blanchflower? Much has been covered in ‘Taxing Wealth’, but we need something that says very clearly ‘this is what you should be doing’. Perhaps there should be a ‘New Economy Group’ that offers clear alternative ideas to challenge the government / Treasury?
Just a thought.
Noted
And on my list of things to think about.
Agree 100%, this weak, clueless labour government really needs a good kick up the backside with a well presented and coherent response from the left/progressive wing of politics. That explains why fiscal rules are BS, asks why we’re paying billions in interest to the CBRA held by the effing banks, why the BoE is allowed to keep interest rates so high, and so on.
Their loss, (and ours).
Indebted to you Richard – in the old social sense.
And to you and all who make blogging fun – most of the time
Very Fleetwood Mac!
Purely by accident, let me assure you. But a nice musical thought this morning.
Your work continues to spur me on to keep fighting my own small corner of the world — something I’ve grown much braver about, thanks to your education and wisdom. Reaching any of these platforms is much needed and deserved. I just hope your work will reach an even bigger audience on the back of this pantomime we’ve all been witnessing.
Thanks
I always find this very flattering. I am aware that quite a lot of people read or watch what I do – 88,000 for yesterday’s video. But I never presume what the reaction is, and comments like yours make me feel humble and grateful. To influence someone’s thinking is quite something. Thank you for you saying so.
[…] was challenged by a commentator on this blog last night to create a 'Blueprint for a New Britain', bringing together policy ideas […]
Richard, you don’t get on the main BBC news outlets cos you are a disruptor . You would circumnobulate good old Faisal et al and their staid economic, status quo thinking. But I think your YT shorts will have increased impact, sthg to quote, easy to grasp and understand by that man in the pub…Farage….?
We are going to do them much more
Richard
I keep banging on about this and yes I know you are already very busy and have limited/finite time.
However, I really think that the BBC and other similar networks/media is not being followed by many people especially the younger generation who it seems do not watch/listen to BBC at all. The BBC is very old school and is fading rapidly in my view. Its certainly not attracting audiences from the younger generation like before. So you and many others would massively benefit if you were to devote time by going on other programmes, podcasts and media instead. I acknowledge and realise that you need to be asked and invited onto the other shows/media and this is not an easy task as they need to know who you are, more about your work etc but its now essential in my view.
Furthermore, the format, schedule and script of the programmes broadcast by BBC and similar other networks including LBC/radio just do not lend themselves to having a serious debate and discussion. For example a podcast debate could go on for 2/3 hours where some of the points/issues are/can be fact-checked live and can be viewed anytime/anywhere.
The recent debate on Diary of a CEO between Gary Stevenson and Dan Priestly has generated huge interest and captured so much discussion on-line from a variety of people from different backgrounds and disciplines. Not all of the reaction online is good and in favour of Gary and what he stands for (see below) – quite rightly so I think.
Whether you like it or not, podcasts like Diary of CEO, Piers Morgan Uncensored, Mehdi Hasan Unfiltered and so many others are becoming very very popular and this is where people now go to find out stuff and understand things with the aim of getting to the truth and bottom of the crazy things happening in the world we are all living in.
If not already the case then this type of media will replace the BBC in the very near future in terms of source for news/opinion etc for the younger generation. I also think you would do really well because of your style and content. It perfectly suits this type of show/media, heated debates/arguments are allowed to flourish and are encouraged. You could even swear and not get banned or reprimanded! This is the way forward for furthering and pursuing arguments on economics and what governments can and should do right now. Pls pls give it some serious thought and consideration as we are in desperate need.
The comments online about Gary Stevenson (see below) and his debate with Dan highlight to me that someone like you armed with undeniable facts, data, robust analysis and solid arguments could seriously spark interest in many people that are not currently tuned into your YT channel/blog and who are not familiar with your works and as a result by going on such media shows you could directly affect/influence general opinion and have a much bigger impact.
Would you consider doing a YT specifically on the Diary of CEO Debate and give your commentary and take on the matters debated and points made both against and in favour?
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/inbedwithjames_entrepreneurship-wealth-tax-activity-7310209208312823809-WLHe?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAALh4o8BtKgR7-PJIrPXoBnRLcFd3sJNAD0
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/danielpriestley_a-week-go-i-debated-gary-stevenson-on-diary-activity-7310928738316111873-Iqg5?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAALh4o8BtKgR7-PJIrPXoBnRLcFd3sJNAD0
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kent-bray-2199301a0_fxtrading-thetradinggame-counselling-activity-7309174614234976256-Ur2d?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAALh4o8BtKgR7-PJIrPXoBnRLcFd3sJNAD0
I see no advantage in doing secodary podcasting
I hope to post soo0n on podcasting
But, thank you – and apologies for delayt
What about the other way round? Have you considered featuring guests on your channel? If so, would you consider having Reeves or Starmer as guests? I ask because Labour has approached the YouTube channel Gary Economics, requesting to appear.
I am actively considering this.
I bet they wouldn’t come though.