Labour spin chief Tom Baldwin tells TV channels: Silence our rivals

Press row: Labour spin king Tom Baldwin
12 April 2012

Ed Miliband's new spin doctor is embroiled in a new row with broadcasters after demanding that a labour event be reported without rival parties being allowed to comment, the Evening Standard can reveal.

Tom Baldwin has written to the BBC, ITV and Sky demanding that the usual rules of "balance" be lifted so that Mr Miliband gets a clear run at the evening news bulletins.

"We believe we are justified in requesting that you cover our event on March 25 with the same degree of prominence that you gave to the spring events of our rival parties and do not subject it to election-time rules of political balance," Mr Baldwin wrote. His letter was leaked to the Standard.

He implied that there would be a major bust-up if the broadcasters insisted on allowing the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to make comments. "We are keen to resolve this amicably and would suggest a couple of options to you going forward," said Mr Baldwin.

His "options" are either that they "give us coverage of this event with no comment from other parties" or that the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats be deliberately given less coverage on other issues, including Government announcements, as a form of compensation.

He writes: "Alternatively, you could reflect the fact the Conservative-led Government has thus far been given far more coverage, given the two party political conferences covering four days in total, and restrict the air time given to the government parties in the run-up to the balance period."

Labour's problem is that is axed its own spring conference to save money but hoped to get star billing for a policy forum in Nottingham where the shadow cabinet will meet and Mr Miliband will meet members of the public to hear their suggestions for his next manifesto.

However, the event clashes with the beginning of the campaign period for the local elections, when broadcasters are under strict rules on impartiality, which includes letting other parties make comments about their rivals. The special Royal Wedding Bank Holiday pushed the election period back by a day, catching Labour unawares.

Adopting a mildly threatening tone, Mr Baldwin finished: "In particular we would be most concerned if you were to treat the event as an election event or in any other way reduce the coverage."

It is not the first time Mr Baldwin has ruffled feathers by demanding friendlier coverage. The Evening Standard recently revealed he tried to tell broadcasters they should stop saying "Coalition" and use "Tory-led Government" instead.

A Labour source confirmed that a letter had been sent. "We just want the same coverage as our rivals were given," he said.

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