Andrew Liddle

London

Columnist at The Courier and Evening Telegraph (Dundee)

Notes on Nationalism Substack. Political commentator with @thecourieruk, @spectator, @UnHerd and others. Also write books. Fan of bow ties and long lunches.

Articles

‘I paint streets of my northern childhood’: Eccleshill artist admired worldwide

1 month ago | thetelegraphandargus.co.uk | Andrew Liddle

2 1/1 IN the latest of his profiles of Bradford artists, ANDREW LIDDLE talks to the internationally acclaimed Bob Barker: By any measure he’s a great artist and an enormously popular and influential one, who has achieved widespread recognition throughout Britain, Europe and the United States. Eccleshill-based, Bob Barker remains the big name in a style much in vogue these days. Northern Impressionism, now a recognised genre, indisputably owes its origin to him.
Andrew Liddle on Reform UK rise in Glenrothes

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Andrew Liddle

Local elections are often dismissed as insignificant, but there is no doubt they can provide a useful indication of what is happening in national politics. Thursday’s contest in England, with about a third of councils up for election, provides a useful example. It is, after all, the first major electoral test of Sir Keir Starmer’s government after the Labour Party’s triumph at the General Election last July.
ANDREW LIDDLE: Nationalising Dundee University could be only way to save it

1 month ago | thecourier.co.uk | Andrew Liddle

Nationalisation should only ever be a last resort. But as the UK Government has shown with British Steel, it can be an essential tool to protect the nation’s vital economic and security assets. After all, were the furnaces at Scunthorpe to shut down, the UK would lose its ability to produce virgin steel, a key component not only of infrastructure, but also the weapons and ships that help keep our country safe in an increasingly turbulent world.
'People’s Painter': Idle artist captures local places in his paintings

1 month ago | thetelegraphandargus.co.uk | Andrew Liddle

2 1/1 IN the latest of his series of profiles of Bradford artists, ANDREW LIDDLE talks to the son of John Trueman: BRADFORD’S year as UK City of Culture may sadly pass almost entirely unnoticed by John Trueman, one of Bradford’s finest and most locally admired artists, whose large-scale canvases have a thrilling quality.
Travel poster artist Richard O'Neill's homage to home city of Bradford

2 months ago | thetelegraphandargus.co.uk | Andrew Liddle

3 1/1 VERY few artists anywhere can compare with Richard O’Neill in popularity, in garnering awards or in influence. His brightly evocative posters of Britain have sold in hundreds of thousands and inspired numerous imitators. So much so, there is now a recognised genre of modern travel art, that he pioneered, may even have invented.
Day in Bradford that changed politics forever - Bill's book tells fascinating story

2 months ago | thetelegraphandargus.co.uk | Andrew Liddle

Bill Broady's novel The Night-Soil Men captures a significant chapter of Bradford history SO who is Bradford’s greatest living novelist? In this momentous year with the city celebrating its status as UK Capital of Culture, it’s a question that must be asked. JB Priestley dominates the impressive roll call of literary Bradfordians that includes Thornton-born Charlotte and Emily Bronte and John Braine of Room at the Top fame.
'I just paint what I see’ - Bradford artist captures local scenes

2 months ago | thetelegraphandargus.co.uk | Andrew Liddle

4 1/1 BRADFORD folk pride themselves on being hardworking, independent minded and plain speaking. They call a spade a spade - if not a shovel! You might say Amy Charlesworth’s art embodies these values and virtues. If the endearingly modest lass from Daisy Hill painted a spade it would be the most beautiful and lifelike of all digging implements. She would pour her heart and soul into it over several weeks and when it emerged it would be a stunning masterpiece.
'I wanted to show it as it is': Bradford life through photographer Ian Beesley’s lens

Feb 15, 2025 | thetelegraphandargus.co.uk | Andrew Liddle

3 1/1 FOR Ian Beesley, a giant of social documentary photography, Life Goes On. That’s the name of his latest exhibition - at Salts Mill - which will remain throughout Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture, showcasing his work over a 40-year period. Crystal sharp, deeply moving images of the North’s changing economic and social landscape chronicle redundant mills being pulled down, streets demolished and urban relocation on a colossal scale.
It's a mistake for Scottish Labour to stand by SNP policies

Feb 11, 2025 | spectator.co.uk | Andrew Liddle

With just 15 months to go until crucial devolved elections in Scotland, 2025 will be a momentous year in Scottish politics. Few leaders understand this better than Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who hopes he will be the man to end two decades of SNP dominance come May 2026. Yet Scottish Labour has fallen down in the polls in recent months and Sarwar needs to figure out how to make his party stand out.
It’s a mistake for Scottish Labour to stand by SNP policies

Feb 11, 2025 | spectator.com.au | Andrew Liddle

With just 15 months to go until crucial devolved elections in Scotland, 2025 will be a momentous year in Scottish politics. Few leaders understand this better than Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who hopes he will be the man to end two decades of SNP dominance come May 2026. Yet Scottish Labour has fallen down in the polls in recent months and Sarwar needs to figure out how to make his party stand out.