Nice Little Licence Fee, Shame If It Got Broke

Daveybloke's Cuddly Conservatives have ordered the BBC's Panorama to drop an investigation into the party leader, Lord Ashcroft, until after the election; and the BBC, after its usual courageous fashion, has rolled onto its back and pissed all over itself in its frenzy to oblige. Once the Conservatives have won, the BBC will doubtless be rewarded for its co-operation by being allowed to struggle on for another year or two before being donated to Rupert Murdoch. The Conservatives' objection to the Panorama investigation was that it is unfair to broadcast a programme on a sensitive issue in the runup to an election. The proximity of the election means that Lord Ashcroft's purchase of the Conservative party and numerous constituencies is an even more sensitive issue than it would be normally, which makes the BBC's conduct all the more deplorable. Where would free speech and quality journalism be if sensitive political issues were explored in the very midst of the political events they affect?

The Conservatives have also attacked the BBC for not giving equal time to the Labour donor, Lord Paul, who has the same tax status as Lord Ashcroft but has donated less than one-fourteenth of the amount Lord Ashcroft paid the Conservatives and has not made any Cameronian rock-solid pledges. Those unfortunate enough to be of an age to remember the poll tax - originally envisioned by the sainted Thatcher as a fair and equal charge where everybody paid the same, regardless of capability - will be familiar with the logic.