BBC - please replace David Dimbleby as Chair of Question Time

The Issue

For many many years I have been a viewer of Question Time. I am extremely frustrated and annoyed at the weak performance and poor quality chairmanship of David Dimbleby.

The problem is multi-faceted. [1] He brings his own agenda and set of questions to certain panellists. With these he constantly interrupts and prevents them from making coherent comment. This is just wrong. He is there to chair, not interrogate. [2] He allows other panellists rudely to interrupt others and does little or nothing to prevent this  In fact he entertains and seems to enjoy the ensuing bickering between MPs. He fails to exert any authority and prevent these embarrassing exchanges. [3] Too often he takes comment from the audience as a lead in to giving the panellist from the government a further chance to speak. This gives the impression of bias as it leads to skewed airtime in favour of the ruling political party.

I would urge you to consider replacing Mr Dimbleby in favour of someone able to chair effectively and able to refresh the programme so that it reconnects with the viewing public, not the Westminster crowd.

This petition had 198 supporters

The Issue

For many many years I have been a viewer of Question Time. I am extremely frustrated and annoyed at the weak performance and poor quality chairmanship of David Dimbleby.

The problem is multi-faceted. [1] He brings his own agenda and set of questions to certain panellists. With these he constantly interrupts and prevents them from making coherent comment. This is just wrong. He is there to chair, not interrogate. [2] He allows other panellists rudely to interrupt others and does little or nothing to prevent this  In fact he entertains and seems to enjoy the ensuing bickering between MPs. He fails to exert any authority and prevent these embarrassing exchanges. [3] Too often he takes comment from the audience as a lead in to giving the panellist from the government a further chance to speak. This gives the impression of bias as it leads to skewed airtime in favour of the ruling political party.

I would urge you to consider replacing Mr Dimbleby in favour of someone able to chair effectively and able to refresh the programme so that it reconnects with the viewing public, not the Westminster crowd.

The Decision Makers

Tony Hall (Lord Hall of Birkenhead) Director General of BBC
Tony Hall (Lord Hall of Birkenhead) Director General of BBC
Nicolai Gentchev Editor of Question Time
Nicolai Gentchev Editor of Question Time

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