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@docrussjackson
Feb 13, 2021 • 6 tweets • 3 min read • Read on X
"Flag-signalling" - the practice of ostentatiously using a flag ostensibly to signify one's patriotic character, when its primary function is to encourage acquiescence from "the people" in passively accepting their own subjection & exploitation by manipulative opportunist elites.
See also:

And:

I'm actually quite proud of aspects of Britain eg our bands & authors, National Parks, gay-rights, inventions like the web, our #NHS, & helping defeat the #Nazis. But I'm revolted by other aspects eg growing far-right terrorism, & the Govt's use of grotesque populist nationalism.
But seriously...

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More from @docrussjackson

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Aug 9
🧵

Politicians, right-wing news media and far-right extremists opportunistically exploit public concern over asylum seekers in hotels, inciting protests and potential violence.

How did we get here? And why the gulf between public perception and reality?

theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
Their divisive rhetoric and misinformation has resulted in a huge gap between public perception and reality.

FACTS:

In September 2023 there were 56,042 asylum seekers in around 400 hotels.

By March 2025, there were 32,345 asylum seekers in 218 hotels.

The government spent nearly a third less on hotels to house asylum seekers between April 2024 and March 2025.

The Home Office's annual accounts show £2.1bn was spent on hotel accommodation - an average of about £5.77m per day, down from £3bn or £8.3m per day, the previous year. Image
Read 15 tweets
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Aug 7
🧵

GB "News", which employs 75% of Reform UK MPs, is not a news channel - it's Reform's propaganda wing, co-funded by billionaire Paul Marshall and Dubai-based investment firm Legatum, who see it as an investment opportunity to help protect their wealth and interests.

@Ofcom Image
In the UK, since 1990, 'due impartiality' and 'due accuracy' have been fundamental components of broadcasting - especially for news and current affairs - and imho are essential for a well-informed citizenry and a fair-minded functional democracy.

GB "News" appears to disagree. Image
The first broadcasting standards in the UK emerged with the BBC in 1922.

Formal standards took shape with the Royal Charter in 1927, which mandated that the BBC provide information, education, and entertainment while maintaining impartiality and serving the public interest. Image
Read 30 tweets
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Jul 29
🧵

Voters need to know how right-wing populist nationalist politicians and radical/far-right nativist extremists construct their divisive discourse and rhetoric to exploit the anti-elite climate and fuel violence and division - and what to do about it.

yorkshirebylines.co.uk/politics/the-s…Image
So what can be done to counter divisive narratives and framing and to help Britain to become a more open, inclusive, fairer, less polarised and better multicultural society?

I make several suggestions in the above article, but make more below, Image
Countering the extreme right’s narrative of feeling "attacked" and needing to "defend" national identity requires a strategic, multi-faceted approach that challenges their framing while addressing underlying concerns and emotions.

Read 25 tweets
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Jul 28
🧵

The shameless lie that "Britain is lawless" is categorically false, as it contradicts empirical data on crime trends, rule of law metrics, and the functioning of UK institutions. Reform UK often use fearmongering exaggeration and selective framing to create a sense of crisis. Image
Official data from the ONS and Home Office indicate that overall crime rates in England and Wales have fluctuated but do not support the notion of a "lawless" state. The ONS reported a 7% decrease in total recorded crime (excluding fraud) from 2023 to 24.

theconversation.com/most-crime-has…
Violent crime, while a concern in certain areas of the UK, has not reached levels that would justify describing Britain as "lawless."

The cowardly elites that run Reform UK would never dare to describe Trump's USA as "lawless" - despite its significantly higher homiced rate. Image
Read 19 tweets
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Jul 21
🧵

#OnThisDay, 21 July, 1969, the Chicago Daily News published: The ‘love it or leave it’ nonsense, by Sydney J. Harris.

It began: One of the most ignorant and hateful statements that a person can make is “If you don’t like it here, why don’t you leave?”

I reproduce it, below. Image
Harris was born in London in 1917, moving to the US in 1922. A formidable journalist who established a distinct voice integrating incisive social commentary with wit and humour, his weekday column, ‘Strictly Personal’, was syndicated in 200 US newspapers. Image
The ‘love it or leave it’ nonsense, by Sydney J. Harris.

One of the most ignorant and hateful statements that a person can make is “If you don’t like it here, why don’t you leave?”

That attitude is the main reason America was founded, in all its hope and energy and goodness. Image
Read 16 tweets
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Jun 29
🧵

A few thoughts on Bob Vylan leading the #GlastonburyFestival crowd in chants of "Death to the IDF" (Israeli Defence Force), livestreamed by the @BBC, and the mischaracterisation of the chant by some MPs, news media, and activists. Image
In England, where #GlastonburyFestival is located, all of us have the right to freely express our criticism of anyone or anything - as long as there is no intent to provoke immediate unlawful violence or there is a reasonable likelihood it will occur as a consequence.
In England, free speech is protected under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998. However, inciting violence is a criminal offence under several laws which attempt to balance public safety with free expression rights.

There are a number of key provisions in UK Law.
Read 29 tweets

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