Former Special Adviser to Theresa May and Michael Gove has claimed that Nigel Farage would be "box office" in a head-to-head leadership debate, as the BBC continues to snub the Reform UK leader.
This comes as the broadcaster announced another leadership debate ahead of the July 4 General Election, including the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, Labour and the SNP, but not Reform.
Addressing the snub at a press conference this week, Farage declared that Reform are the "opposition to Labour" and demanded that the BBC "put us in the debate".
Offering a direct challenge to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, Farage added: "I would also very much like to do a debate head to head with Keir Starmer. And the reason is very simple. We think that this should be the immigration election."
Charlie Rowley says Nigel Farage would be 'box office' against Keir Starmer in a debate
PA / GB News
Discussing the BBC's Reform snub on GB News, Charlie Rowley told hosts Anne Diamond and Stephen Dixon that "whether you agree with Farage or not", he has the "ability to articulate issues that he cares about".
Rowley explained: "Nigel has a fantastic ability to communicate with people. He's been able to captivate people where maybe other politicians haven't been able to articulate the message as well as he has."
When quizzed by Anne on whether Farage would perform well in a direct head to head debate with the Tory and Labour leaders, Rowley claimed that "from a viewers perspective, it would be box office".
Rowley told GB News: "I think it would actually be very interesting to see him debating the two party leaders. He's playing to his strengths, he's a great communicator."
Nigel Farage has continued to storm the campaign trail for Reform UK ahead of the July election
PA
Stephen then highlighted the latest YouGov polling, which has placed Reform UK ahead of the Conservatives with 19 per cent of the vote, with Sunak just behind at 18 per cent.
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Stephen pressed Rowley: "If as many people are interested in what he's got to say as they're interested in the Conservative Party, shouldn't he have a platform?"
Rowley responded: "It's only one poll, and the polls are always within a couple of points, margin of error. So it may not be the case that Reform are ahead of the Tories.
"Reform are not going to be the official opposition, they're not going to pick up the numbers of seats to be His Majesty's opposition in Parliament.
"There's only going to be one person that's going to be Prime Minister, it's either going to be Rishi Sunak or Sir Keir Starmer."
Charlie Rowley predicts Reform 'will not become the official opposition' in Parliament come July
GB News
Turning the discussion back to the BBC debate, Rowley admitted that it is "within the BBC's right" to not choose Reform for the program.
Rowley explained: "It's probably still within the BBC's right to allow a debate to take place between these two main party leaders. If you include Nigel Farage in that when he's going to probably get less seats than the Liberal Democrats, for example, then you would have to include Ed Davey."
Ann argued that the "real debate" Farage wants is a head to head with Keir Starmer, which Rowley claimed broadcasters "would not be able to justify".
In disagreement, Stephen argued that it "can be justified" by broadcasters, but the question is whether "Keir Starmer would agree to it".
