Post by Teddy Bear on Jan 30, 2013 15:33:25 GMT
While this MP calls the BBC reporters 'gullible' for the way they back any Labour criticism of government cuts, I believe he really know they are simply biased.
'Gullible' BBC acting as backing band to Labour's attacks on spending cuts, claims Eric Pickles in fresh attack on TV news
By Matt Chorley
The BBC was today accused of working with Labour to maximise ‘political damage’ of spending cuts in an escalation of tensions with the government.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles used a speech to accuse ‘gullible’ news reporters for the Corporation of being in cahoots with the coalition’s opponents.
In one of the most outspoken attacks by a senior minister on the BBC, Mr Pickles suggested its regional programmes gave ‘unquestioning’ airtime to Labour councils complaining about cuts.
Mr Pickles has made no secret of his anger at the way reductions in government funding to town halls have been reported by the BBC.
On Monday the senior Conservative said: ‘You would think listening to the BBC that sensible savings and improved services were a bad thing.’
But he stepped up the rhetoric today, using a speech to the New Local Government Network, in which he praised local councils which in difficult times had ‘risen to the challenge, managed change, protected the best of the public service ethos’.
‘However, a number of Labour councils have given way to temptation of reliving the past in an 80’s tribute band, maximising the cuts to the most political damaging.
‘With a backing group of gullible and unquestioning BBC Regional reporting this has led to a heady mix.’
Mr Pickles insisted that cuts would have been made to funding regardless of who won the election in 2010.
He added: ‘There is a reasonable case that because local government was not considered to be a priority service by Labour that councils may have born an even greater share.’
He said the coalition had devolved spending, responsibility and powers to councils to decide how and where to make savings.
He said it was ‘the only way to go’ and accused Labour of adopting the ‘Miss Havisham approach’, named after the jilted bride in Dickens’ Great Expectations.
He said opponents were ‘refusing to change from a faded wedding dress, waiting for the return of a groom who is not coming back and who realised you were mad decades ago, feasting on former glories, reciting the taxing mantra, dreaming of taking not making…
‘Fooling yourself into thinking you can really have power without responsibility.’
The BBC rejected Mr Pickles' criticism. A spokesman said: 'We are confident that BBC Local and regional coverage of local government is impartial, fair and balanced, reflecting a wide range of views.
We always seek to challenge and hold to account and set a high standard for all our journalists.'
- Communities Secretary steps up criticism of the BBC reporting
- Claims Labour is behaving like a 1980s tribute act with local BBC acting as a backing band
By Matt Chorley
The BBC was today accused of working with Labour to maximise ‘political damage’ of spending cuts in an escalation of tensions with the government.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles used a speech to accuse ‘gullible’ news reporters for the Corporation of being in cahoots with the coalition’s opponents.
In one of the most outspoken attacks by a senior minister on the BBC, Mr Pickles suggested its regional programmes gave ‘unquestioning’ airtime to Labour councils complaining about cuts.
Mr Pickles has made no secret of his anger at the way reductions in government funding to town halls have been reported by the BBC.
On Monday the senior Conservative said: ‘You would think listening to the BBC that sensible savings and improved services were a bad thing.’
But he stepped up the rhetoric today, using a speech to the New Local Government Network, in which he praised local councils which in difficult times had ‘risen to the challenge, managed change, protected the best of the public service ethos’.
‘However, a number of Labour councils have given way to temptation of reliving the past in an 80’s tribute band, maximising the cuts to the most political damaging.
‘With a backing group of gullible and unquestioning BBC Regional reporting this has led to a heady mix.’
Mr Pickles insisted that cuts would have been made to funding regardless of who won the election in 2010.
He added: ‘There is a reasonable case that because local government was not considered to be a priority service by Labour that councils may have born an even greater share.’
He said the coalition had devolved spending, responsibility and powers to councils to decide how and where to make savings.
He said it was ‘the only way to go’ and accused Labour of adopting the ‘Miss Havisham approach’, named after the jilted bride in Dickens’ Great Expectations.
He said opponents were ‘refusing to change from a faded wedding dress, waiting for the return of a groom who is not coming back and who realised you were mad decades ago, feasting on former glories, reciting the taxing mantra, dreaming of taking not making…
‘Fooling yourself into thinking you can really have power without responsibility.’
The BBC rejected Mr Pickles' criticism. A spokesman said: 'We are confident that BBC Local and regional coverage of local government is impartial, fair and balanced, reflecting a wide range of views.
We always seek to challenge and hold to account and set a high standard for all our journalists.'