BBC bias row erupts as Question Time Makerfield special no-platforms Restore Britain despite poll putting them in third and suggesting they will decide outcome of the by-election
A new bias row has erupted on the BBC this morning after Question Time announced plans for a Makerfield byelection special.
Despite the only poll in the constituency so far placing Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain party in third place behind Labor and Reform Britain, the show’s line-up does not include any of their candidates.
However, tomorrow’s special episode will also feature much smaller parties such as the Greens, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
The BBC’s failure to invite Mr Lowe’s candidate Rebecca Shepherd to the program has sparked fresh allegations of institutional political bias at the corporation.
This morning Mr Lowe exploded and wrote to X: ‘Remaking Britain Not invited to BBC Question Time Makerfield special.
‘The British establishment underestimates us.
‘Makerfield – vote for the Reestablishment of Britain to deliver the biggest shock in British political history.’
The Mail also understands that the party has consulted its legal team about not being included in the scheme.
Rupert Lowe this morning expressed anger at the BBC’s decision not to include Restore Britain in his Question Time special
BBC’s lineup includes five main national parties but does not take into account restoring Britain’s domestic popularity
A spokesman said: ‘There is one thing the British establishment does not want Makerfield voters to do. Vote for the Reconstruction of Britain.
‘This is another attempt by the BBC to suppress our support. They hate British Reestablishment and want us to fail.
‘Our legal team is being consulted regarding this apparent election interference and bias.
‘We spoke very clearly; The Restore Britain Government will defund the rotten BBC on day one. It’s going to be amazing.’
The BBC’s special Question Time program from the Greater Manchester constituency will feature all candidates from the other five main parties.
Andy Burnham will represent Labor as he goes head-to-head with Reform England candidate Robert Kenyon for the first time.
After weeks of the two candidates tussling in the media, this episode will create a heated episode on TV.
The Conservatives will be represented by Michael Winstanley; The Liberal Democrats are from Jake Austin and the Greens are from Sarah Wakefield.
Mr Burnham has a clear lead over Reform UK, according to a Makerfield poll published during the by-election campaign.
Survival took Labor to 43% and Reform to 40%.
Restore Britain accuses BBC of ‘blatant election interference’
Reform accuses Restore of splitting right-wing votes and helping Andy Burnham
But the shock came when he put Restore Britain, which has so far been little talked about in Westminster, into third place with 7%.
The Liberal Democrats trailed with 4 per cent, the Greens with 3 per cent and the Conservatives with 2 per cent; This means they will all lose their deposits when reflected in the actual election results.
While Restore Britain expressed anger at the BBC’s decision not to include them on the high-profile programme, Reform UK are to be applauded.
Last week the Mail revealed Nigel Farage’s anger over Restore in his party’s constituency and his threat to allow Andy Burnham back into Parliament.
A senior Reform source said Mr Lowe was ‘more concerned with his ego and vanity than what is best for the country’.
They added: ‘Our internal figures show Restore at a small, single-figure percentage. ‘The only thing they can achieve by surviving is to gift the seat to Labor and Andy Burnham.’
But Mr Lowe hit back: ‘The increasingly desperate attacks of every Reform politician prove one thing: their internal data matches the data we found at Makerfield.
‘They have nothing left. ‘Restore Britain will make history at Makerfield.’
The BBC has been approached for comment.
