One of the best pieces of election campaigning is one of the oldest: getting out on the doorsteps and talking to voters.
Speaking directly with those who do not engage in politics day-to-day can be a great balance to what might be the focus for media in Westminster Village, but is of little interest in Hele village, Torquay.
People appreciate the chance to speak directly with their representatives or those hoping to be elected as such, getting the chance to ask a question or discuss a point unfiltered by a media or lobbyist perspective, and not as part of a Punch and Judy political session.
If people like doing this with their MP on the doorstep, why would they not want to see this with their PM, or prospective PM, on their TV?
A session where people from all walks of life - not journalists, politicians or lobbyists - get to raise their queries on their priorities.
That was the strength of the People’s Forum with the Prime Minister. It delivered real people, real questions and a chance for viewers to make their judgment, with the same opportunity offered to the Leader of the Opposition.
An independently selected audience asked the Prime Minister unseen questions in the People's Forum programme
GB NEWS
This makes Ofcom's judgement look bizarre and stuck in a different form of politics, where the important people are the journalists and politicians, not the ordinary voters who will actually decide the election.
The suggestion the show would have been better with a host constantly butting in or opposition politicians lobbing in the odd party-political point, flies in the face of what people wanted to see: Their PM, answering their questions.
Given the show was broadcast live, each answer went straight out - along with the body language and facial expressions when being asked the question and then answering it.
In a media age where any such appearance by the PM would be picked apart and analysed for days afterwards in print, online and in broadcast media, plus in living rooms across the country, the suggestion viewers were somehow left out by not being given details of a future programme during the show itself, is laughable.
If balance is wanted, then why does Ofcom not analyse in their judgment Sir Keir Starmer not taking up the gauntlet from GB News to appear on a similar live show himself?
Perhaps the hundreds who complained more objected to the idea the Conservative Party’s Leader and Prime Minister was prepared to do so, whilst the Labour Party hid away.
Their real fear must be what could happen in the General Election if voters get to ask Sir Keir about his plans, views and how he would deliver any of them.
READ MORE OPINION:
On the doorstep, I will often hear comments along the line of, “You are the only one to have called round” followed by comments about how others only show up at election time.
Applying Ofcom's logic, I should stay home as my willingness to engage gives me an advantage over those political opponents who can’t be bothered.
GB News offered viewers something different, a chance to hear their PM unfiltered and unscripted.
They have offered the Leader of the Opposition a chance to do the same.
Ofcom should listen to what residents want, not what political journalists insist on providing them.
