Review of These Times - Lies, damned lies and statistics…right

Lies, damned lies and statistics…right wing propaganda

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“UNHERD - us backed by a right wing millionaire. Caveat emptor. He who pays the piper calls the tune. I like to listen to contrary views to mine because it helps me to understand other perspectives. That said, this podcast is pure, unadulterated propaganda with an extreme right wing reading of history and the current geopolitical world. If you like to be mislead, manipulated and twisted into a Tory or extreme right wing voting pretzel then this is your type of podcast! Two very extreme right wing presenters with a clear agenda, undermine UK’s democratic process when anyone, other than the Tory party wins, or better still, a more extremist right wing limited company, the “Reform Party”, gets seats proportionate to its share of the vote. Just listened to a post General Election analysis with McTague and Sayers. First, let’s be clear, there are lies, damned lies and statistics. This podcast proves Disraeli’s quote. The idea that Starmer received 33.7% of the vote which translated to 412 seats is a fact of the first past the post electoral system. The 33.7% of the vote on a turnout of 59.9% which is 20.2% of those who voted. In 2019, Johnson received 43.6% of the vote on a 67.1% turnout giving him an 80+ seat majority. That equates to 29.3% of those who voted. When you take this as a percentage of the total electorate, it makes the UK claim to be the “mother of democracy” to be an utter joke. Now, these presenters didn’t make such a song and dance when their beloved Tory Party won a large 80+ seat majority on less than 1 in 3 of those who voted. Further, these presenters, who presumably supported Brexit, given their disdain for anything European, forget the statistics of one of the most important inflection points in UK history. There, the Leave vote was 51.8%. Turnout was 72.2%. This equates to 37.4% of those who voted. In which civilised world is a 1 in 3 vote an overwhelming mandate to overturn 45 years of EU integration? Further, some 5 million EU nationals resident in the UK had zero say, even if they were living here longer than other naturalised British citizens. Further, British citizens, living in the EU who are entitled to vote in UK parliamentary elections were excluded from the Brexit vote. Talk about democracy! My point is not about Brexit. The point I make, is simple. This podcast is disingenuous and selective of its facts. Yes, our democratic system is not fit for purpose. A preference voting system would provide a better reflection of the electorate and would provide for coalition government thereby reflecting the gravitational centre of the UK electorate. What’s sickening about presenters who come with the titles - journalists working for the “Times” or “Unherd” - just another right wing donor funded mouthpiece, is that they make claims of being “factual”, when they are anything but factual. Selective “facts” - is manipulation and deceit. I like Helen Thompson, and I cannot understand how such a powerful intelligent and down the line historian can allow herself linked to this garbage and propaganda. Apple should seriously look at the nature of this misleading podcast on its platform.”

Vitas7890 via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 09/24/24

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03/01/24

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aged librarian via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 01/12/24

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Thesispants via Apple Podcasts · Australia · 01/16/24

Fantastic

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“I’ve listened to all of the episodes over the last year. The quality of the analysis, the ability to take something so complex and put it simply, and the broad range of topics makes this podcast one of the best geopolitical podcasts there is. Look forward to hearing more.”

Mirtles79 via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 03/19/24

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