Thangam Debbonaire

Time’s nearly up to respond to the DCMS public consultation on the future of the BBC! For some good inspiration and reminders of the value of the BBC for arts and culture, see the excellent paper published by Campaign For the Arts:

www.campaignforthearts.org/wp-content/u...

UK’s Ashmolean Museum returns ancient idol to be repatriated to Tamil Nadu temple Believed to have been stolen from the temple and replaced with a modern replica, the bronze sculpture is now set for its return journey after experts from the museum travelled to India to establish it...

In artefact restitution news: a model process, returning a C16 religious statue back to a live Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu from @ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social - the wonderful teams at Ashmolean and High Commission of India in London show it can be done!
www.telegraphindia.com/world/uks-as...

These lessons were under-interpreted by many at the time.

Don’t forget “…and you’ll listen!”

Cover of Douglas Beattie’s book “How Labour Wins and Why it Loses”.

Text from a postscript section of the book extracted from an interview with me the weekend after the general election. Including “for those of us who lost and those who had a very difficult fight I think there are lessons [for Labour] to learn electorally, politically and in terms of public discourse.”

The weekend after 2024 GE @douglasbeat.bsky.social interviewed me for postscript to his book. Some other researcher from Lab HQ also got in touch and after a similar interview (both long, detailed and focussed) I asked that person to let the LP know I was keen to help. And I still am.

Labour must cease taking progressive voters for granted, says Sadiq Khan London mayor criticises PM for calling Greens ‘extreme’ after Gorton and Denton loss, saying it is a ‘flawed strategy’

This from our wonderful London Mayor @london.gov.uk has articulated clearly so much that has needed articulating for some time, and does it so well. 👇🏽

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

As my colleague Luke Sullivan said on the Ed Vaizey show - even in the GE 2024 the cracks of the future difficulties were showing - in Bristol Central, in Leicester and elsewhere. Lessons can be learned.

The US and Israel attack Iran Podcast Episode · Newscast · 28 February · 44m

Also helpful - Lyse Doucet on Newscast. 👇🏽

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/n...

Iran thread🧵 👇🏽

Statement from Angeliki Stogia, Labour candidate for Gorton and Denton by-election, thanking campaigners and voters for their support.

Classy message from Angeliki Stogia, the Labour candidate for Gorton and Denton by-election election, thanking voters and campaigners for their support. It’s tough work being a candidate and she campaigned hard and continues to serve the people of Manchester. Thanks to Angeliki for her service.

PM - Katie Razzall with analysis of the Gorton and Denton by-election - BBC Sounds Labour pushed into third, suffering their first defeat in the constituency since 1931.

I really would like what I learned from being Labour candidate against Greens (2015, 2017, 2019, 2024) to be useful. Did an article for @thehousemag.bsky.social couple of weeks back, yesterday an interview on R4 PM 👇🏽 c 17.10ish. Can discuss further.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

ten days

If - like me - you weren’t/aren’t at Ally Pally for Fred Again - a reminder of the truly excellent Ten Days. So many excellent tracks. I’m picking “I Saw You” and “Just Stand There” as top for so many reasons. #artprescription #Thangskitchendisco

open.spotify.com/album/3DQueE...

Let me know what you think!

Gwen John painting woman at a window

Gwen John sketch

Close up of Gwen John hand of woman

Gwen John notebook

Part 2 of #artprescription to the Sunday max was the Gwen John exhibition at National Museum Cardiff this morning (free with @artfund.bsky.social Art Pass!). Gorgeous. I will be returning many times over coming months. Strong recommend. Worth buying the Art Pass for.

A taster 👇🏽

Photo of my favourite reading area at home in Newport: with books from the Women’s Prize for non fiction longlist, notebook and pens, and two books of Indian art - one from British Museum, one from Ashmolean. Plus coffee and mini Tunnock’s caramel wafers!

First up on the #artprescription: read a 50 page chunk of one of the @womensprize.bsky.social for non-fiction longlist, make notes, drink coffee. Then indulge in photographs of Indian art - books from @ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social and @britishmuseum.bsky.social
Possible mini #Tunnocks

Today’s #artprescription is in three parts. This is the third - talking about arts, culture and global politics @orieloxford.bsky.social with Oriel Provost Lord Neil Mendoza this afternoon at 16.45 - free but click link to book. Come to discuss! 👇🏽

Women’s Prize For Non-Fiction - Women's Prize The Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction is a major new annual book prize that celebrates exceptional narrative non-fiction by women.

Today’s #artprescription: more close reading of the sixteen books on our @womensprize.bsky.social for non-fiction longlist. We judge against excellence, originality &accessibility. Thoughts welcome!
Please ask your local bookshop to stock/promote the longlist!

womensprize.com/prizes/women...

Cover of “Art Cure”, book by Daisy Fancourt. This is about how arts transform our health.

Today’s #artprescription is this fantastic book. As the author says - you could flip the premise to how a lack of arts/culture damage our health. The political economy of arts, culture and heritage isn’t just jobs, careers, exports & growth (obvs all important!) - also about investment for health.

So looking forward to this coming Sunday! With my friend and colleague Neil Mendoza, provost of @orieloxford.bsky.social - discussing all things the political economy of arts, culture and heritage, plus anything else people want us to discuss! All welcome, see link 👇🏽

Millennium Centre Cardiff, home of Welsh National Opera

Yesterday’s #artprescription - as well as more @womensprize.bsky.social for non-fiction reading (got to get longlist of 16 down to shortlist of 6) was a wonderful visit to @welshnatopera.bsky.social and talk all things the future of this multi-art-form with the directors Sarah and Adele.

This was such an interesting and lively debate at @howthelightgetsin2.bsky.social last year - looking forward to taking part in this year’s HTLGI! Thanks to @iai.tv for sharing.

Provost's talk with Baroness Debbonaire: 'Global Politics, the UK Culture Sector, and Support for the Creative Industries' - Oriel College Join Baroness Thangam Debbonaire in conversation with Oriel College Provost and former UK government Culture Commissioner Lord Mendoza.

Baroness @thangamdebbonaire.bsky.social, Labour peer and Labour MP for Bristol West from 2015 to 2024, is in conversation with Lord Mendoza, Oriel College Provost, on Sunday 22 February.

The event is free to attend and open to everyone.

🔗 Book your place ⬇️

www.oriel.ox.ac.uk/events/provo...

Another art prescription - being in the glorious Stroud St Laurence Church and centre for arts and peace for the wonderful Cellophonics, playing this piece and more. Glorious! Go see this band if you can.

Curtain call for the Pina Bausch dance show “Sweet Mambo” at Sadler’s Wells.

Me and Robert Montgomery in the audience, waiting for show to start.

This week’s art prescription included the poetry in dance that is the Pina Bausch show “Sweet Mambo”, with two poets for my guests. Obvs no photos of show but here’s the curtain call - the curtains and the wind are the set. Thanks @sadlerswells.bsky.social Robert Montgomery and Greta Bellamacina

Thanks Alex - the best campaign team ever x

Congratulations to Barbara Demick, Lyse Doucet, Jenny Evans, Daisy Fancourt, Lady Hale, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, @judithmackrell.bsky.social, Deepa Paul, Sarah Perry, Harriet Rix, Jane Rogoyska, Arundhati Roy, Zakia Sewell, @gracespencegreen.bsky.social, @ecetemelkuran.bsky.social @leaypi.bsky.social

This longlist is one which my fellow judges and I spent a lot of care and thought over and we are very proud of its breadth, depth and quality. Now to get to a shortlist!

Government launches Charter Review to future-proof the BBC The Culture Secretary has launched the once-in-a-decade review of the BBC’s Royal Charter with the aim of bolstering trust in the broadcaster and putting it on a sustainable financial footing.

Only 27 days to have your say over the future of the BBC! Don’t leave it to other people - take part!. You love it? You think it could be better? There’s something special you don’t want to lose? Tell the government! Closes Tuesday 10th March.

www.gov.uk/government/n...

Today we announce the longlist for the @womensprize.bsky.social for non-fiction 2026. Sixteen superb works of non-fiction, written by women. Our list comes out at 14.00 today, Wednesday 11th February. Stand by! (Can’t wait to be able to talk about what I’m reading again!)

I point the finger at the patriarchy. At sexist and misogynistic beliefs and practice. And at bystanders. That’s not what I see in the mirror, thanks.