- Massaging the truth - 27th February 2026
- ‘It’s the new economy, stupid…’ - 27th February 2026
- Eyes right… - 26th February 2026
During 23 years with BBC Cymru Wales (BBC CW), and 42 years in journalism (when he was trained to use clear and simple language, avoiding jargon) exposing hypocrisy and humbug has always been central, and now this is put centre stage by Sir Keir Starmer saying it is merely “very disappointing” about Labour coming third in the Gorton and Denton by-election, when a high-profile possible leadership rival who might have won it was ruled out, as well as by Donald Trump declaring that it is a “golden age”, but his poll ratings are on the floor.
The things politicians say are incredible, and show an extremely shaky grip on reality!
Do these people even believe their utterances THEMSELVES?!
Let’s look, for example, at what has happened.
The Greens won the by-election in Gorton and Denton so hats off to them, but for decades it had been a Labour stronghold.
Filled with a mixture of working-class voters, students, university graduates, and home to a large ethnic minority population, it is the kind of place that helped make Sir Keir Starmer Prime Minister (PM) in 2024.
But he only said last night’s result, in which his party came third behind Reform UK, was “very disappointing” which is surely a massive understatement.
He must know that his potential leadership rival, the Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham (known as ‘King of the North’), might have won it, but was ruled out on procedural grounds.
We were told officially that the party wanted to “avoid an unnecessary mayoral election, which would use substantial amounts of taxpayers’ money and resources that are better spent tackling the cost-of-living crisis”, when everyone knew it was really about blocking Mr Burnham.
Sir Keir (perhaps unwisely, although understandably), was among those who voted at Labour’s ruling NEC to stop Mr Burnham standing.
Some Labour MPs are furious about what has happened, and they have declared that Mr Burnham was the grass roots choice for voters (the constituency is part of Greater Manchester), and that they should have had the option of Mr Burnham on the ballot paper.
Before the shock result one senior Labour source who had been supportive of Mr Burnham’s candidacy roared: “They’re gambling the PM’s whole premiership on winning a very hard by-election without their best candidate. It is madness”.
Let’s turn now to Donald Trump in a situation which is just as extraordinary.
He gave his State of the Union speech to Congress, and at one hour and 48 minutes it was the longest ever.
The President claimed he was responsible for a “golden age” in America, though his poll ratings suggest otherwise, with voters expressing deep concern about the cost of living.
In a CBS/YouGov poll carried out between February 20 and 23, 60 per cent disapproved of him.
Mr Trump made the speech a few days after the Supreme Court struck down his “reciprocal” tariffs.
It said that the duties could not be imposed under the emergency powers act that he had cited, and that America “is not at war with every nation in the world”.
So important and influential men say and do things which voters know are not right.
People behave accordingly – as we have seen in Gorton and Denton…
Phil’s memories of his extraordinary award-winning career in journalism (including major political stories like these) as he was gripped by the rare incurable disabling condition Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP), have been released in an important book ‘A GOOD STORY’. Order it now!
Next week – how a complaint received by the outgoing head of the BBC Tim Davie about the standard of its drama output, once again highlights the BBC’s REFUSAL to answer The Eye’s questions concerning the string of scandals which have engulfed the giant corporation.
