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DIVISIONS IN THE British Conservative Party over the privatisation of Channel 4 are bursting into the open, with the plans likely to face a bumpy ride in Parliament.
Tory MP and Father of the House Peter Bottomley told the PA news agency the House of Lords will take out any clause that privatises the network, and announced he will make a speech shortly after the Queen’s Speech in the Commons explaining why he deems the plans “unconservative”.
The British Government confirmed on Monday that it will proceed with plans to privatise Channel 4, which has been publicly owned since it was founded in 1982 and is funded by advertising.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said that while Channel 4 held a “cherished place in British life” she felt that public ownership was holding the broadcaster back from “competing against streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon”.
Plans for the sale will reportedly be set out in a White Paper later this month and will be included in a new Media Bill for next spring.
After the Government made the announcement, it became clear that privatisation plans were not sitting well, not only with media personalities but also with senior figures in the Conservative Party.
A string of Tory MPs and peers, including Bottomley , former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, chairman of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee Julian Knight, and former cabinet ministers Damian Green and Jeremy Hunt publicly questioned the plans.
Bottomley , who represents Worthing West, said he opposes the sale “because I am a Conservative”.
He added: “If you are considering a change, have a proper reason for doing it, if you say it cannot compete with Netflix, my answer is it is not supposed to compete with Netflix.
“And secondly, look at the number of people who view Channel 4 and its associated streams and compare that with the people using Netflix. Channel 4 wins hands down.”
Asked if the proposals will struggle to get through Parliament, he said: “The House of Lords will take out any clause that privatises Channel 4.
“And secondly, if you listen to one of the early speeches after the Queen’s Speech, it will be me. And I plan to explain why I regard it unconservative to propose this action to Parliament.”
Bottomley insisted it will not be a Tory rebellion as it will be the Government “rebelling against the status quo”.
A Government defeat in the Commons looks unlikely given Boris Johnson’s working majority of 77, but it might be a different story in the House of Lords as there is no Tory majority in the upper chamber.
Bottomley ’s comments were echoed by Mr Green, who also branded the plans “unconservative” in a tweet on Monday.
He said: “The sale of Channel 4 is politicians and civil servants thinking they know more about how to run a business than the people who run it. Very unconservative. Mrs Thatcher, who created it, never made that mistake.”
Knight questioned if the Government’s true motivation is rooted in a view that Channel 4 is too left-wing, as he tweeted: “Is this being done for revenge for Channel 4’s biased coverage of the likes of Brexit and personal attacks on the Prime Minister? The timing of the announcement 7pm, coinciding with Channel 4 news, was very telling…”
Former culture secretary Hunt told Times Radio he is “uneasy” about the sale, adding: “I’m not against privatisation of big national monopolies. But I believe in competition.”
Senior Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) shared a picture on Twitter, which said “David Attenborough thinks Channel 4 should remain publicly owned, share if you a agree”, and Tory peer Baroness Davidson tweeted the plans marked the “opposite of levelling up”.
Speaking on Wednesday morning to LBC Radio, Health Secretary Sajid Javid insisted the network’s privatisation will set it free.
He said: “I love Channel 4. I think it’s great, but I want a Channel 4 that can compete in what is a fast-changing landscape. I think we can all agree that since Channel 4 was created the media landscape has changed.
“You must think carefully about why could it be better off being sold, and the reason is that, to compete properly, it needs to be able to raise its own funds and capital, whether that’s debt or equity, to do that in a way that it can properly compete in a vastly changing media landscape.
“This will set Channel 4 free. It will still be, by the way, a public broadcaster like ITV. It will have a public licence. They will have duties under that.
“You know, ITV is a great British broadcaster too, but it has been privately held now for many, many years. And it’s growing stronger. It has been able to compete, I think, as a result of that more effectively.
“And, by the way, my understanding is the funds that will be raised – I don’t know how much eventually, that will have to be worked out – but the funds that will be raised, which will be considerable, from the sale will all be reinvested back in the creative industries, including independent productions.”
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Not as much since the kids were born. I do love a good book though!
@Brian Dunne: same as that Brian!
@Mrs Doyle: Who needs books when we have the comment section of journal.ie?
Far more entertaining than any book and the standard of writing is top class!!
@Justin Gillespie: ok!
@Brian Dunne: So read some *to* the kids!
My teenage daughter’s bookcase is stuffed with books, she absolutely loves reading. I’ve saved a fortune since we started going to a library.
@Mrs Doyle: Library’s are one of the great bastion’s of civilisation. Spent a lot of time in them during the last recession.
Always loved reading ever since I was a child. I can’t understand why some people don’t read books as they’re missing out on so much. Charity shops are brilliant for getting books for very little money.
I don’t count how many books a year but I definitely read every day…even if it’s just 5 minutes before sleep.
@Lesley Barclay: I am exactly the same. Always have a book on the go.
I use the Borrow box app via the library for audiobooks in the car or for walking. You may have to reserve and wait a few weeks for a newer book but it’s an excellent service.
Usually have 2/3 more on the Kindle as well. I love them but I haven’t really gone back to physical books since lockdown.
@Sara McS: I love Borrowbox. I use the App for audio books when I’m cooking or to send me to sleep!
@Sara McS: I have a kindle and really loved it, especially when going away on holidays, but of late I’m back to the real book, and must say I do prefer to have the feel of the real thing.
I always have a book or two on the go.
Clonmel library is just Awesome, and staff so so helpful.
Every time I pick up a book, the whole house decides they need to talk to me lol
@Anna Carr: ….She mused to herself, with an almost wry smile raising itself upon her face as she lowered the book to her lap. ‘Ill just finish this paragraph’. But again the questions came: ‘What ya doing? Good book? – what’s it about??’. ‘Everytime’, she heard herself saying to herself. Will I ever finish this book’?
I’m about halfway through the 750 books I own!
Read 3/4 days a week sometimes only for 15/20 minutes though. Probably get through 20 plus books a year. Majority on my kindle, I like to get books at Christmas though.
I’ve been re-reading the Miles Davis autobiography for the past few years, but a lad down the pub just sent me the Barrytown Trilogy because he thought I should be ashamed of myself that I hadn’t read it, so that should keep me busy for the next few years.
Give me the company of books over people, any day! You can trust a good book. People? Not so much, in my experience.
@Sean May: Touched a nerve ….
Recently bought a new kindle. I’ve actually started reading again. It’s only a few minutes before bed, to wind down, but I try and do it every night. It means less time on my phone right before trying to sleep, which is a good thing.
What are you reading for?
https://youtu.be/BwkdGr9JYmE
(Bill Hicks)
Where’s the slot for two or three a week?
Used to spend a fortune on books, but bought a kindle for economic reasons. Unfortunately price difference between printed books which I prefer and the price on kindle is a massive difference. I would rather support a local book shop, but the cost is the problem. Can understand the author and publisher ,the shop must benefit from the sale, but the price can’t compare with kindle.
Wilbur Smith was my favourite author. One could almost smell the elephant s#/t he was so descriptive of Africa.
I read the Beano and pass it on to a lady who gives it to her young nieces. I used to read Mad magazine and miss its demise. Alfred E. Neuman’s catch line What me Worry? is also my philosophy. I miss the Dandy with Lord Snooty and his pals. Posh mags like the New York Review of Books I can only get occasionally if I visit a certain shop in Dublin. From a local grocery shop I can buy Ireland’s Own – the week wouldn’t be the same without it. I borrow bewks from the local library.
How are you supposed to get to sleep without reading your book? Ken Follett, Hilary Mantel, Philippa Gregory…… brilliant escapism while learning history at the same time
A few a year. Bravo Two Zero by Andy McNab: BRILLIANT!
The poll would be better if we distinguished between paper and audio books. I find lots of books only work for me in one format but not the other.
@Des Ryan: it asks how often you “read” a book, not much reading to an audio book
@Paddy Cullen AIWS: You’re missing out
Since I have a kobo reader I have read over 1600 books and still reading! My kobo goes every where with me and the price to buy a book is low enough that I don’t feel the need to buy less! It is fantastic!
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