This affair shows how "polarised" the debate has gone, he adds. And this is the problem. The policy was wrong, Lineker's analogy was wrong. But the current climate in political thinking means that you're not allowed to hold both of those views simultaneously. Or, at least, you must be seen to be demonstrating that you don't hold both views simultaneously.
To be honest the director General, Tim Davie, and the chairman have been made to look idiotic. They've had to accept they can't suspend or sack Lineker under the terms of their employment. If only they'd checked with the expert forum lawyers they'd have saved all that bother
It'll be interesting to see what the independent review of the social media policy does. No doubt we'll have the usual suspects screaming for the sacking of one side while also screaming about the right to free speech of the other.
Hopefully the review panel will show some backbone and not cave in. Alistair Campbell has already started, saying "When you are subject to this right-wing political pressure, you should resist it and stand up to it, not pander to it." as if the BBC climbdown hasn't come about because of left-wing political pressure. At least Davie has sensibly said "The impartiality guidelines would be equally applied in terms of being critical of the left or the right. The issue is getting involved in party political matters and we apply that independently."
I dont believe he should have been suspended. I'm not surprised he was though. In todays climate, where peoples livelihoods can be ruined by dodgy tweets being unearthed from a decade ago when still children? Any hint of Nazism is gonna cause trouble, so he's been an idiot as far as im concerned. Its something he should have said amongst friends down the pub, not on a tweet. I was hoping he was going to be sacked cos he gets on my tits, not for what he's done.
I think the whole affair stinks the place oug as it shows the grovelling attitude of the BBC toward the government, it shows how much of the money they are paid is wasted on beaurocrats and big wigs and **** shows about antiques and cooking and whatever other drivel they pump out in the name of entertainment. As for Lineker whilst I don't like or dislike him he had an opinion that the Government did not like and surprisingly the BBC did not like, he probably should have chosen his words more carefully and formulated a good argument but he is a former footballer with a large media following and has shone a light on something he feels strongly about. In short the BBC are a load of money wasting hump bunnies who spunk our money wherever they feel like and Lineker is a former footballer who sent out a tweet without fully thinking about the language used
I can't abide Lineker but think you're wrong there. The way he compared Braverman’s language to that of a fanatical dictatorship ensured his views made people pay attention. When the BBC acted like a dictatorship, trying to silence someone's honest opinions, they made his comments headline news. Lineker has just sat back grinning on full pay. I'd also imagine he's backed Braverman into a corner and she'll be much more careful how she speaks in future. She's absolutely useless and tries to appear tough by using tough language ... .... It's not working and she'll end up in a bunker with her alsation imo. As I said earlier in the thread Lineker will still be there when she's gone.
Can’t see her having her job to long to be honest, if she backed her words up with any action at all she might have a small chance.
Her visit to the Manston concentration camp ... .... oops, sorry I meant 'reception facility' was typical of how out of touch she is. Arriving in a huge Army helicopter was pathetic tbh.
They only had a big majority the last 3 years. Before then it was wafer thin and even had to be propped up by DUP and Liberals
So they've had plenty of time to send people back, fly them to Rwanda, send in the Navy and all the other things they've promised to do. Seriously, blaming Labour is clutching at the very last straw. They've failed to sort the issue out.
Seems to me that everything they try and do comes up against some sort of appeal. It's a mess that imo wasn't created by them. They are already seen as a racist uncaring party and anything they try and do in terms of Illegal entry into the country is jumped on by the left. That is my opinion.
In which case they weren't properly thought through and legal ... ... she's an attorney so should know better. They have a huge majority, what more do they need.
Maybe because they are pushing the letter of the law to the max which obviously causes appeals. I'm not saying they have handled this well in the past but at least and at last they are now focussing on the issue more. Maybe they are thinking they need to push it now while they are still in office and likely to be voted out next year.
This. It is definitely a last minute attempt at a vote grabber. A policy that even those that are pushing it will be a bit surprised if it ever gets through. Whether it be blocked or whether they will be voted out before it is done.
Up until the end of 2019 everything was about Brexit. Then literally a few months later it was Covid for 2 years. Yes I'm making excuses for them but now they have been able to focus a lot more on this issue. They know that this is their last chance to do something before the next election. It's a polarising thing like Brexit was and they might be hoping that it's their only chance.
TBH Covid was a gift for an island wanting to stop immigration. Another opportunity wasted. And I don't think stopping illegal immigrants is at all polarising, I believe every person and every party would like it stopped completely. Genuine asylum seekers, like the people we abandoned in Afghanistan and Ukrainians, etc, are a different matter.
The problem with that though is that it takes time and money to sift through all the applicants (many many thousands) and inevitably either some genuine applicants get turned away or illegals slip through the net.
