The Times newspaper is left wing

[Thatsenoughcoffee]

The Times has been moving to the left for years. They’re trying to compete with The Guardian as much as The Telegraph. They try to reflect the politics of the middle and governing classes which veer left.

It’s a high quality publication, but as a conservative I read it knowing there will be many left-wing writers whose opinions I disagree with. Hugo Rifkind is one example.

The news stories also veer left - for instance the recent attack on the finances of the Royal Family which was carried out in conjunction with Channel 4. There is also a lot of focus on Gaza and not much support for Israel.

My feed on X by contrast is properly right wing. And also low status.

AIBU to think The Times is left wing?

Why does it matter, though? Do you only want to read publications which agree with your view? I find it much more interesting to read something which allows me an opportunity to reflect and, potentially, change my viewpoint.

Maybe they are just trying to balance against the really right wing.

The Torygraph is not left wing

We have The Times and a few others with an online multiple news and magazine sub, I wouldn’t class it in the same category as The Guardian at all.

What you do if you don’t like something is stop buying or subscribing to it if it irritates you. I personally like to read a few articles from across the political divide so though I pinch my nose for both I look at The Guardian and the Daily Mail as the extreme ends of what’s available and hate them both with equal measure.

We’re talking about The Times though

I don't have a subscription so don't read it often, but the bits I do see I wouldn't see as particularly left wing.

I don't think examining royal finances or criticising Israel in relation to the current situation in Gaza are left wing though.

I agree there's been a move to the left but I think it reaches more widely.

I'd say a lots of wealthy professional types who in my parents generation would have identified as right wing are now proudly lefty.

I read it, I would describe it as the paper for people in the centre. I literally cannot stand the Guardian anymore.

Did you actually just insinuate that the Torygraph is left wing???

The news stories also veer left - for instance the recent attack on the finances of the Royal Family which was carried out in conjunction with Channel 4. There is also a lot of focus on Gaza and not much support for Israel.

Maybe Murdoch has decided it's time to dump the Royals ? Then he - or his organisation - can decide who will be president.

OP? No, she said the Times is trying to compete with the Guardian (left) as much as the Telegraph (right).

I think the Times is centre right. Its royal stuff is pretty tabloidy IME and certainly not anti monarchy- the amount of royal PR they have is crazy (inc a whole pro RF podcast).

I’ve noticed a shift in tone against Labour tbh - thought they were reasonably nice about them until they actually got in, but maybe that’s just the way. Otherwise I’d call them centre with voices on the left and right editorially. I read the ST too and like the mix of voices there. Haven’t noticed anything particularly anti-Israel, and I support Israel (notionally but not specifically in all their actions) and normally do notice that sort of thing.

Does it matter? I'd personally like to be able to rely on something to cover both sides equally. I regularly read a news magazine which has a lot of different political views from me - I find it helpful and interesting to step out of the echo chamber.

Yes I think that’s my point. It tries to appeal to high status people, and so it’s become left wing just like those people have.

I read the Times. I think there is a spectrum of writing which, in aggregate , is pretty much in the centre. I do think it has strayed into some populist/ scandal type writing at times, but I cannot remember specifically what triggers that thought.

I think the investigation into the Royal finances is good journalism and not the cronyism we see in the red-top tabloids.

I think it's good to read other viewpoints even if you disagree with them or they annoy you. Stretches your mind so you don't grow up to be an old "stuck in the mud" kind of person 🙂

I used to subscribe, but there were too much in it that irritated me so I stopped.
Now I read the FT + whatever free magazines my kindle unlimited subscription includes.

No not at all. I said The Times tries to compete with the obviously left wing paper (Guardian) as much as it does with the obviously right wing paper (Telegraph).

I read all three to some extent and the Times is the most centrist. I actually like the columnists of any paper to be from across the spectrum. Telegraph has moved right vs. 20 years ago.

Perhaps they've realised that the last Conservative goverments were a bunch of talentless chancers and spivs, and that the current bunch are not much better, so there is a gap in the market that caters for the views of the centre-right, "One Nation" Tories who feel sidelined by the events of the last 14 years.

The people that Boris purged from his party if they didn't buy his "Bumbling Boris the Clown" act. The people who believe in the UK's international obligations, who believe that trust is important and that "my word is my bond" that Honest Bob Jenrick likewise wanted to kick out of the party if he become Leader. The people who are small-c "conservative" and who are appalled that the mainstream party has morphed into UKIP and is seemingly moving towards a pact with the Reform mob of Farage and Lee Anderson - and who want nothing to do with them.

That would certainly put The Times to the left of GBNews, The Mail, Express, Sun etc. but still a long way from being "left-wing." There was a time when The Times was well-regarded for presenting fairly balanced reporting and articles that put differeing views - so if it is moving back in that direction, in the era of fake news and "repeat the lie often enough it becomes the truth" this can only be a good thing.

Well I read (mumsnet are going to roast me alive!) The Daily Mail!!! No not my politics and I can read through the heavy bias but I like the way it is set out and can read the print (unlike the mirror !).

Another Times reader here, who is probably a left leaning moderate. I've always read the Times since my degree, as it was recommended by our lecturers for the law reports. I think it's generally fairly balanced. I do read some bits and think what a load of right wing bobbins, but in the main, i think it's not a bad read!

Agree.