In 90 minutes of BBC coverage and analysis of the leaders’ debate on the BBC News channel, the single Scottish commentator the BBC have had on that channel – and he has appeared three different times – is the ludicrous Torcuil Crichton of the Labour Party (and Daily Record), introduced by the BBC as though he were an independent commentator. Without being challenged by anybody, Crichton has again and again been allowed to expound the ridiculous argument that Cameron benefited from Nicola Surgeon’s strong performance because it weakened David Miliband.
This is ludicrous because of course it makes no difference to the balance of the House of Commons from a Tory point of view whether the Scottish MPs facing them are Labour or SNP. Three times Crichton has been on, making his invalid point, with nobody making the obvious response – or indeed any response. Three times – separate times, they are not repeats – he has been allowed to make a jibe about the SNP promising “a land of milk and honey”, as his Labour Party dismissal of anti-austerity economics. Again, without reply.
The BBC is an utter disgrace in the way it covers Scotland. My personal view is that post independence we don’t need state propaganda in news or current affairs, and should simply sack everybody in the BBC news and current affairs departments in Scotland, without compensation.
On the debate, without detracting in any way from Nicola Sturgeon’s excellent performance, I think the personalisation of it is wrong and that what the polls are reflecting is a strong desire right across the UK to support anti-austerity policies and no nuclear weapons. Sadly this is probably the last time even the possibility of such policy options will be allowed a significant hearing on mainstream media in England for the next five years.
PS. That’s assuming we don’t get another Lib-Lab pact, remember that one?
If the SNP performs as the polls are suggesting, I don’t think Labour will be able to form a majority without either the SNP or the Tories.
And if the Lib Dems perform as the polls are suggesting, Tories + Lib Dems will be nothing near a majority.
Rather than hearing idle speculation on the political scene after the UK general election, could we perhaps hear something on the likely outcome of the next US Presidential election?
Habbabkuk (La vita e’ bella)
3 Apr, 2015 – 10:01 pm:
“Rather than hearing idle speculation on the political scene after the UK general election, could we perhaps hear something on the likely outcome of the next US Presidential election?”
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Are you serious?!
Do you think that America is a democracy?!
Haven’t you heard that the US Government has torn-up the American Constitution?! (under both Bush and Obama)
Do you work for the BBC?!
Hello Craig, I am only being pedantic but did you in your article mean to write David Milband at the end of the first paragraph or were you meaning Ed? Enjoyed reading your insight into Iran and the international community.
Mods/Webperson
Just in case you’re not aware:
Longer user names (such as “Habbabkuk (La vita e’ bella)”) are pushing the comment down leaving somewhat irritating gaps in the page.
This happens for me with all browsers on ubuntu.