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When did the Budget Ministerial broadcasts cease?

SpotSpot Posts: 25,126
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It suddenly occurred to me last night that we no longer have the Chancellor making a ministerial broadcast on the night of the Budget, with the Shadow Chancellor then having the right of reply the following evening, These were always rather solemn affairs, but very much part of the Budget tradition. I can't recall any news or comment about the practice ceasing and just wondered if anyone knows when it happened.

Ministerial broadcasts generally now seem to be a thing of the past.

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    Parker45Parker45 Posts: 5,854
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    Good question. I think they may have stopped when the present coalition government came into power.

    Of course in the days of few TV channels Ministerial Broadcasts gave politicians a captive audience but nowadays with so many channels, they became pointless.
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    cpu121cpu121 Posts: 5,330
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    http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN03354/party-political-broadcasts

    Suggests it is a recent change by the BBC to break the link between screening of PPBs and specific events. Instead the major parties can choose when to have their 'seasonal' PPB to suit themselves.
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