Labour’s shadow energy secretary, Ed Miliband, has locked horns with Reform UK chairman Richard Tice in a fiery exchange over the BBC’s election coverage. The debate, which unfolded on live television, centred on accusations of bias and whether the broadcaster was giving Reform UK disproportionate airtime.
Miliband accused the BBC of "platforming" Reform UK, arguing that the party’s policies were being given undue prominence despite its relatively small electoral footprint. Tice hit back, claiming that the Labour Party was attempting to stifle democratic debate by challenging Reform UK’s media presence.
Farage Joins the Fray
Nigel Farage, Reform UK’s honorary president, also waded into the row, accusing the BBC of "left-wing bias" and suggesting that the broadcaster was reluctant to scrutinise Labour’s policies as rigorously as those of smaller parties.
The controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of media impartiality in the run-up to the general election, with multiple parties raising concerns over fairness in reporting. The BBC has defended its coverage, insisting it remains committed to balanced and impartial journalism.
Political Reactions
Several MPs have weighed in on the dispute, with some Conservative figures backing Tice’s claims of media bias, while others dismissed the row as a distraction from substantive policy debates. Meanwhile, Labour supporters have echoed Miliband’s concerns, arguing that Reform UK’s controversial policies should not be amplified without rigorous fact-checking.
As the election campaign intensifies, the debate over media fairness is likely to remain a contentious issue, with all sides keen to ensure their messages reach voters without distortion.
