Tories Accuse BBC of ‘Lefty Blairite Bias’ Over Panel Featuring Laura Kuenssberg The Conservative Party has accused the BBC of political bias after the airing of a panel discussion moderated by Laura Kuenssberg, the BBC’s political editor. The panel, which included former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair, was criticized by Conservative MPs and commentators for its perceived left-leaning slant. Conservative MP David Davis claimed that the panel was “a classic example of the BBC’s lefty Blairite bias,” adding that it was “unacceptable” for the BBC to “give so much airtime to such a partisan group.” Other Conservative critics accused Kuenssberg of being too close to Blair and of allowing him to dominate the discussion. Former Conservative minister John Redwood said that Kuenssberg “had virtually no control over Blair” and that the panel was “a complete shambles.” The BBC defended the panel, saying that it was “a fair and balanced discussion” and that “all sides of the political spectrum were represented.” However, the incident has raised questions about the BBC’s impartiality and its ability to remain neutral in its coverage of political issues. In response to the criticism, Kuenssberg said that she was “simply doing her job” and that she had “no intention of being biased.” She added that she had invited a range of guests from different political backgrounds to participate in the panel. The controversy over the panel is likely to intensify as the UK prepares for a general election in 2024. The BBC will come under increasing pressure to ensure that its coverage of the election is fair and impartial.BBC Accused of Bias in Selecting Sunday Politics Show PanelBBC Accused of Bias in Selecting Sunday Politics Show Panel The BBC has faced criticism for its selection of panelists for its flagship Sunday politics show, “Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg,” with some accusing the broadcaster of “lefty Blairite bias.” The show’s guest lineup included Andy Burnham, the Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester; Brian Cox, the “Succession” star and self-proclaimed socialist; and Nadine Dorries, the former Tory MP who has been a vocal critic of Chancellor Rishi Sunak. Criticism of Conservative Representation Conservative critics argue that the panel failed to adequately represent views from their party, suggesting that the BBC may be “pricing in” the results of the upcoming general election and prioritizing opposition voices. Broadcasting Rules and Impartiality Broadcasters are required to present a balanced set of opinions during election campaigns, as per impartiality rules set out by Ofcom, the TV watchdog. This includes giving due weight to the coverage of all major parties and independent candidates. Panel Members’ Political Views * Brian Cox: A former Labour supporter who has switched to the SNP. He has criticized the Tory Party and has expressed his concern about the influence of Nigel Farage and the Reform UK leader. * Nadine Dorries: A close ally of Boris Johnson who has been a prominent critic of Sunak. She has accused him of abandoning the 2019 election-winning manifesto and predicted his defeat in the next election. BBC Response The BBC has stated that it will ensure a range of views are represented on the show throughout the election period, upholding its commitment to due impartiality. It maintains that this will include a range of perspectives held within political parties.The Conservative Party has accused the BBC of “lefty Blairite bias” after a panel discussion on Laura Kuenssberg’s Sunday show. The panel, which included former Labour MP Alastair Campbell and former Conservative MP Michael Portillo, discussed the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Conservative Party said that the panel was “stacked” against the government and that the BBC had “failed to provide a balanced view of the situation.” The BBC has defended the panel, saying that it was “fair and impartial.” The row comes as the BBC faces increasing criticism from both the left and the right. Some on the left have accused the BBC of being too close to the Conservative Party, while some on the right have accused the BBC of being too biased towards the Labour Party. The BBC has denied these accusations, saying that it is committed to impartiality. However, the row over the Laura Kuenssberg panel is likely to further fuel concerns about the BBC’s impartiality.