The programme from Ringwood featured a range of speakers on the panel and was the first opportunity for the Question Time audience to directly challenge Robert Jenrick in his capacity as Reform UK’s treasury spokesperson, following his high profile defection to Reform in January.

While we are aware Reform currently has 8 MPs, we would highlight that they have control of ten councils and two Mayoralties. Reform UK have now been ahead in more than 200 consecutive opinion polls and they won more votes than any other party in last year’s local elections – this after winning four million votes (with nearly 15% of the vote, the third largest party) in the general election;  with regard to impartiality, it is very important that we reflect this electoral success.  

We believe the programme has a responsibility to ensure that Reform is scrutinised and challenged about their policy ideas by the audience.

They are currently appearing on the programme about half as often as the Conservatives who, despite lagging behind in the polls, are still the official opposition. Proportionate appearances on Question Time by all the parties - including the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and the SNP – are, over time, in line with their past and current electoral support.