BBC accused of ‘suffocating democracy’ after London mayoral debate

BBC has been accused of “suffocating democracy” after its mayoral election debate was between just Sadiq Khan and Tory candidate Shaun Bailey this evening.

With just two of the 18 candidates chosen to debate this evening, Brian Rose, who stands as an independent, claimed the BBC gave an unfair advantage to the two major parties. Mr Rose claimed the BBC must explain why the public is paying the licence fee when only two party candidates will took part in the debate. Speaking to Express.co.uk before the debate kicked off, Mr Rose, 49, called on fellow candidates to demand the BBC explain what he called a “lazy approach” to politics.

Mr Rose rose: “The BBC has a duty to give ‘due weight’ to candidates.

“How on earth does putting Sadiq Khan up against the weakest opponent in the race do this?

“This sort of lazy approach to politics from our national broadcaster is helping to suffocate democracy.

“Over and above the rank unfairness of this decision, exposure on the BBC is worth a huge amount in financial terms, and inevitably gives these two candidates a substantial advantage over everyone else.

“I urge fellow candidates to join me in demanding that the BBC explains why it is taking this stance when, as a national, licence fee-funded broadcaster, it has a duty to serve all candidates and their supporters.

“Why should my supporters or, indeed, Greens or Lib Dem supporters be subsidising the BBC when it quite clearly doesn’t give a damn about their views, preferring instead to act as an establishment lickspittle?”

Ahead of this year’s local and mayoral elections, the BBC has pledged to give all candidates proportionate coverage.

As it states under its due impartiality clause, it reads: “To achieve due impartiality, each bulletin, programme or programme strand, as well as online and interactive services, for each election covered, must ensure that the parties and, where relevant, independent candidates are covered proportionately over an appropriate period.”

Throughout its coverage, the BBC also pledged to remain impartial to all parties and to introduce measures if one party dominates the news agenda due to a manifesto release or statement.

Mr Rose, who has lived in London for 20 years is standing as independent in order to bring an end to the two-party stranglehold of the capital.

Londoners will head to the polls on May 6 to elect a Mayor as Mr Khan seeks to be re-elected for a second term in office.

The election was initially scheduled to be held last May but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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