Labour Under Pressure to Appoint Tory Ex-Minister as Next Ofcom Chair
Ministers are facing mounting pressure to appoint a Conservative former cabinet minister as the new chair of the media regulator Ofcom, as he competes for the role against a prominent Labour peer. The position has become critically important in public life due to growing concerns over the rapid expansion of online content and the rise of politically partisan broadcasting. No successor has yet been named to replace Michael Grade, the former BBC chair who has only weeks remaining in his tenure.
Key Candidates and Insider Dynamics
It is understood that there is a concerted push to convince Liz Kendall, the technology secretary, to award the job to Jeremy Wright, a former culture secretary and sitting Conservative MP who played a role in drafting laws to tackle harmful online content. Wright has been shortlisted alongside businessperson and former Channel 4 chair Ian Cheshire, as well as the former Labour MP and life peer Margaret Hodge. Insiders believe the race is now primarily between Wright and Hodge, with Hodge previously seen as the favourite for appointment by the Labour administration.
Hodge, as chair of the public accounts committee, Westminster's spending watchdog, built a formidable reputation for challenging big tech companies over their tax obligations. She has also proposed measures such as banning online anonymity and holding social media directors personally liable for defamatory posts. However, several sources involved in online safety advocacy argue that Wright should be given the position instead.
Arguments for Jeremy Wright's Appointment
Supporters point to Wright's legal background as a king's counsel and his in-depth knowledge of the specifics of the Online Safety Act. They believe he is willing to take risks in confronting major digital platforms. "Jeremy is the person who can really achieve the strategic reset that is required," said a source familiar with the selection process. "He understands the workings of the act, which makes him perfectly well placed." Another source added, "Ofcom should be testing its powers effectively and being more ambitious ... Jeremy would be seen by civil society generally ... as being the preferred candidate."
Appointing a Conservative figure would likely prove controversial within Labour ranks. Nonetheless, some observers argue that Wright would possess the political freedom necessary to address hostility towards the new online safety laws from Reform UK and certain Conservative factions. Former foreign secretary William Hague commented that Wright would be "a very clever appointment," noting, "Ofcom will need cross-party support to do its work well, so appointing an opposition member would be wise. And he also has credibility on the issues from his ministerial experience."
Concerns Over Delay and Regulatory Challenges
The delay in appointing a new chair is causing significant concern among stakeholders. Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, stated, "This is a crucial appointment that will signal whether the government is serious about achieving a strategic reset of the UK's online safety agenda. The new chair must address fundamental flaws in Ofcom's implementation of the Online Safety Act and prove capable of restoring the frayed support and confidence of civil society." He emphasised that the successful candidate must steer Ofcom towards implementing and enforcing regulation as parliament intended when passing the act.
Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, warned that the delay "would leave Britain at risk," adding, "Social media is getting worse, not better. Ofcom is already struggling to deliver on its online safety mandate and needs swift and decisive direction from a knowledgeable, experienced, and digital-savvy chair committed to protecting Britons from online harms." The legal complexities Ofcom faces in implementing the new Online Safety Act have led to claims of paralysis within the regulator.
Government Response and Ofcom's Stance
A government source indicated that a decision would be made "very soon." An Ofcom spokesperson highlighted the regulator's recent efforts, saying, "Since the Online Safety Act began to take effect last year, we've already driven meaningful change, like age-gating pornography, requiring platforms to tackle illegal content and harms to children, and opening investigations into nearly 100 sites where we have concerns. But there is more work to do, and we look forward to working with whoever the government appoints as our next chair to make life safer online."
