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Local journalists grill Truss in series of “car crash” radio interviews

by David Sharman Published 29 Sep 2022

liz-trussThe power of local journalism was demonstrated this morning as Liz Truss undertook a series of “car crash” interviews with BBC local radio stations.

The Prime Minister conducted a round of eight interviews with different BBC stations, speaking out for the first time in days about the ongoing economic crisis.

Friday’s “mini-budget” by Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng sparked financial turmoil with the Bank of England moving to buy £65bn of government bonds in a bid to restore stability to the markets.

Ms Truss appeared on breakfast shows on BBC Radio Leeds, Norfolk, Kent, Lancashire, Nottingham, Tees, Bristol and Stoke with each interview lasting around five minutes.

However if the move was designed to provide Ms Truss with a series of “soft” questions, it swiftly backfired with the PM audibly struggling to respond to some tough grilling at the hands of the local presenters.

Former BBC political correspondent Jon Sopel branded Ms Truss’s responses “excruciating” while Guardian political sketchwriter  John Crace commented: “That was a car crash.”

Northamptonshire Telegraph journalist Kate Cronin wrote: “So much for some patronising national journos who last night were saying Truss was doing to local radio rounds because she wanted an easy ride.

“Turns out, regional journalists aren’t so soft after all, which comes as no surprise to actual regional journalists.”

On Twitter, writer and broadcaster Damian Barr said: “The power and reach of local journalism is vital to our democracy. Hearing local journalists grilling our prime minister on the concerns of their listeners is the stuff of accountability.

“Just another reason why we need a well-funded, independent BBC and thriving indie sector.”

Financial Times Northern correspondent Jennifer Williams, who was previously political editor at the Manchester Evening News, wrote: “If her advisers thought this would be the easy media option, I think today has proved that isn’t the case. There be dragons.”

And Iliffe Media editorial director Ian Carter added: “I can only assume Liz Truss was hoping for an easier ride from cuddly local radio than she’d have got from the meanies on Today. Glad it’s not working.”

New Statesman columnist Paul Mason was also widely criticised after describing the round as ‘Operation Rolling Partridge’, predicting that “a bunch of sleep-deprived non-expert presenters will throw her soft questions, while she dodges the heavy hitters”.

In response, Yorkshire Post editor James Mitchinson said: “Just doing our best in the regions, Paul, whilst dreaming of one day being deemed good at our jobs.”

Hull Live senior reporter Susie Beever wrote: “Local reporters are far better experienced to quiz politicians on issues that actually matter to everyday people – particularly those of us in the communities which have been practically forgotten by this government.”

Here is a round-up of clips from some of the interviews this morning on BBC Lancashire, BBC Bristol, BBC Kent and BBC Stoke.  The BBC has also compiled the full set of interviews for its BBC Sounds online channel, which can be found here.

 

 

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