THE BBC strives for balance in all its politics coverage. That’s why Question Time this week will have representation from across the Conservative spectrum.
There’s Chris Philp, representing the Tories in government.
There’s Rory Stewart, representing the Tories who used to be in government.
And there’s Tom Harwood, representing the Tories in the media.
There’s also Wes Streeting, representing the kind of red Tories which Keir Starmer is leading.
And then there’s Layla Moran, the LibDem MP who, as a woman, provides a little balance in that area as well.
Don’t say the BBC don’t try.
On Question Time tomorrow night, Fiona will be joined by @CPhilpOfficial, @wesstreeting, @LaylaMoran, @RoryStewartUK and @tomhfh. Join us and a studio audience from Dorking at 10.40pm. #bbcqt pic.twitter.com/5hxUWvnblD
— BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) June 8, 2022
The announcement of the line-up has been met with more than a little consternation, not least because of GB News poster boy Harwood’s inclusion.
“This rather disproves the claim that GB News needs to exist because these people's nutty views would never be represented on the BBC,” ScotGoesPop blogger James Kelly wrote.
“As the BBC works hard to achieve balance, I hope there'll also be someone intelligent on,” one Twitter user quipped at Harwood's inclusion.
After all, it wasn’t even a week ago that he broke the story of the year, revealing that Sue Gray once sang karaoke.
This rather disproves the claim that GB News needs to exist because these people's nutty views would never be represented on the BBC.https://t.co/RHSzMuX2nj
— James Kelly (@JamesKelly) June 8, 2022
One Ian Wilson wrote on Twitter: “You see the number of replies to this tweet versus the number against the other guests and it shows clearly why he is invited.
“As with the platform given to [Nigel] Farage it’s more about controversy = viewers, than the integrity of a debate. Mind numbing and such a shame.”
Quite.
