Whining Bloody Politicians

So Mr Humphrys, why are you always so nasty to politicians?

John Humphrys yesterday denied being biased and unfair when he was grilled by a House of Lords committee about his combative interviewing style.

The Today programme's star presenter also rejected allegations that he never let politicians answer his questions because he was too busy interrupting them.

In a rare appearance on the receiving end of the questions, Humphrys told peers that he would argue "with anyone about anything" and it was his job to ask tough questions on behalf of his listeners.

Humphrys, who has often been criticised for his hard-hitting approach to interviewees, was giving evidence with three other senior broadcast journalists to a committee considering the BBC's charter review.

Lord Maxton, a Labour peer, accused Humphrys of treating the political guests on his programme with insufficient respect. "Why don't you let them make their arguments?" said Lord Maxton, who stood down as a Glasgow MP in 2001. "You often express views about what they are saying." Humphrys said he rejected the assertion entirely.

You can say what you like about Thatcher, but one thing she did relish was a good argument. She would have stood her ground against the nasty Humphrys and Paxmans of the world and loved every minute of it.

New Labour on the other hand, throw their toys out the pram and haul the the nasty, disrespectful, heckling reporters up in front of a committee to "review the charter" of the BBC. How's that for a thinly veiled threat?

"How dare you interrupt our politicians during their carefully rehearsed arguments! You might put them off!".
"Just remember sonny... New Labour own the BBC."
"Be nice now or you might find yourself out of a job!"
"We can always replace you with that nice Mr. Campbell, you know."
"It's our ball and we're not letting you play, so nyer!"

As Chicken Yoghurt points out, anyone with the nerve to scrutinise New Labour policy is plainly incompetent. Therefore, it is obvious where Messrs Humphrys and Paxman are going wrong. They should start every interview with... "So Minister, might I be the first to congratulate you on such a wonderful policy idea? Where do you find the inspiration?"

In today's tabloid obsessed world, people seem to care more about who is shagging who on Big Brother than they do about bringing their politicians to account. It will be a very sad day for us all if New Labour manage to silence or control John Humphrys.

If New Labour do not like his interviewing style then they should refuse to be interviewed by him. The ensuing silence would be deafening.

Filed under: Politics, New Labour Spin