Changes to BBC Parliament & Political Programming

Yep but they never give them any money to make up for it


It's part of the reason a lot of MPs speak up whenever there's proposed cuts to local or regional media..... for a lot if them it's the only place they can get any TV or radio appearances

Bring back the Daily Politics - the Politics Live has to many people on it shouting over each other, with mainly the London middle class elite know it alls (journo types). At least with the Daily Politics you got actual mainly MP's provide answers even though maybe not right but at least they are elected

Wasn’t the reason to Daily Politics was scrapped, other than cost-cutting, to make a “more accessible” programme? I can’t help but feel they’ve took a big step backwards with the new format. The Daily Politics had more reports actually explaining the issues being discussed, had fewer but more high-profile (and relevant) guests and was a down-to-earth, quirky programme that was genuinely enjoyable to watch. The new programme is just 45 dull minutes of debate, going around in circles, from a bunch of, as you mentioned, London middle class political types. It seems to have done quite the opposite of its intention, and has surely alienated many casual viewers.

The only positive from the new format is that it appears to be more inclusive of women, although what we've seen is a bunch of middle class Westminster men replaced by women from the same bubble.

I preferred the DP format however and This Week is still an excellent piece of political programming, the same can't be said for Politics Live.

Reading the PDF on that site the BBC state...
"Having reflected on this over the summer, we now believe that the edited daily and weekly summary programmes should continue as they provide important reflection and clarity for audiences."

The parliament committee chair's opening line is...
"Since our evidence session in Salford last month we have had assurances that changes to BBC Parliament announced earlier this summer may be dropped or amended."

It's interesting to note that there is no obvious mention of any plans to reverse the proposal of not airing when 'UK Parliament or the devolved Parliaments and assemblies are not sitting'. So by conceding to making some bespoke summary programmes the BBC should still be able to get away with some of the other proposed cuts to parliamentary coverage.

I've not watched it yet, but the way you describe it sounds like they've not only copied the Morning Joe set, but also MSNBC's habit of trying to squeeze in as many guests as possible. Which might work for a breakfast show, but viewers don't give those their full attention or stick around for long periods. Do they still have a dedicated reporter filming any packages, or has that all gone as part of the cuts?

They still have Elizabeth Glinka doing reports. Ellie Price is on maternity leave.

Wanted to catch up with Sunday Politics London but iPlayer has the Newcastle version

Though might having more guests for less time help them get a hold of some more people - There'll be people who are a good get for the show but can't take 45 minutes (and more) out of their day.

Once again a listings cock-up where HD was down for London this week, but took NE&C instead, so defaults to the HD version on iPlayer.

Sunday Politics East looks as though it might be pre-recorded this weekend. I say that as Stewart and guests are in the Cambridge studio and he is interviewing a councillor from Norfolk County Council who is sitting in the Norwich CSO studio.

This week's guests are a the MP for Saffron Walden and the MP for Luton South. It might be that they think they can get a better split of MP's across the region by presenting some weeks from Cambridge and others Norwich.

I think the majority of the English regions reverted to pre-records on the Friday afternoon after conference season.