Keir Starmer attacks Downing Street’s new White House-style TV briefings as 'obviously a political move'
Sir Keir Starmer today attacked Downing Street’s new White House style TV briefings saying they risk “unbalancing the political discourse”.
In an interview with the Standard, Sir Keir said the televised briefings were “obviously a political move” and that Labour is considering a right of reply.
It emerged last week that Boris Johnson is planning to introduce American-style briefings hosted by an experienced broadcaster.
Downing Street has said they will be fronted by a “political appointee” as opposed to a civil servant, which raises questions as to whether the opposition party is entitled to a response.
The Labour leader said: “It’s obviously a political move. Nobody can quarrel with greater transparency but this is political and one of the greatest things in our democracy is balance and hearing both sides.
“We are exploring, and keen to explore, just how the political balance is maintained if you move to this style of briefing. That’s the risk of it, that it unbalances the political discourse.”
Pressed on whether Labour would be seeking a right to reply to the new briefings, he added: “That’s the discussion we are having amongst ourselves.
“Our democracy thrives on balance and in particular the opposition being able to hold the Government to account. So that needs to be addressed.”
In May, Sir Keir gave a broadcast after the PM’s address to the nation about lockdown under a precedent set by former Labour leader Hugh Gaitskell, who was given a right to reply at the height of the Suez crisis.
Downing Street’s new televised broadcasts will replace off-camera afternoon briefings for journalists, which are currently hosted by a senior civil servant.
They are expected to start in October with work starting soon to make Number 9 ready for cameras.
The move is expected to prove controversial and concerns have been raised by journalists about a reduction in the scrutiny of Government.
It comes as Downing Street prepares a major overhaul government communications as a part of Dominic Cummings’ drive to reform Whitehall.
Communications will soon be managed by the Cabinet Office instead of individual departments, with a significant reduction in the number of press officers.
Sir Keir made the comments on a visit to pub BrewDog in Tower Hill to discuss how their reopening over the weekend had gone.
Labour is calling for a new £1.7 billion “fightback fund” for hospitality and high streets to stop firms from going under when furlough changes kick in next month.
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PM set to bring in White House-style TV press briefings from October
