LIVE: Should we defund or defend the BBC? | Michael Gove & Jon Sopel v Charles Moore & Allison Pearson

LIVE: Should we defund or defend the BBC? | Michael Gove & Jon Sopel v Charles Moore & Allison Pearson

Author: The Spectator March 28, 2026 Duration: 59:57

Should we defund – or defend – the BBC?


Live from London, the Spectator hosted a debate on the future of this iconic British institution, compered by associate editor Isabel Hardman. The Spectator’s chairman – and long-time Beeb-critic – Charles Moore, and the Telegraph’s Allison Pearson went head-to-head with the Spectator’s editor – and former Tory cabinet minister – Michael Gove and the former BBC correspondent – now-podcaster with The Newsagents – Jon Sopel. 


Defund: do you agree with Lord Moore that the BBC is constantly breaking impartiality? That this issue ‘more profound than just about balance’ – that this is a systemic issue which hampers the British public’s opportunity to learn. And for Allison Pearson, the BBC that the country feels 'sentimental attachment to’ is gone, replaced today by a corporation that is ‘institutionally antisemitic’.


Defend: Jon Sopel argues that the soft power of the BBC cannot be underestimated and, while guilty of many mistakes, destroying the BBC would be ‘an act of cultural vandalism akin to ISIS blowing up Palmyra’. Lord Gove argues that the BBC reflects the best of us, declaring that he backs the organisation 'not in spite of being a conservative – but because I am a conservative’.


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For a clear-eyed take on the day’s political developments, Coffee House Shots delivers concise, sharp discussion straight from the heart of Westminster. This daily podcast from The Spectator gathers the magazine’s most astute political observers-voices like Michael Gove, Tim Shipman, Isabel Hardman, and James Heale-around a virtual table for the kind of frank, insider conversation that happens away from the cameras. Each episode cuts through the noise of the 24-hour news cycle to examine the real forces shaping policy, elections, and power struggles. Listeners get more than just a recap of headlines; they’re offered analysis of the strategic calculations, the personal rivalries, and the underlying trends that the major bulletins often miss. The tone is informed and direct, reflecting the depth of experience within The Spectator’s team. It’s designed for anyone who wants to understand not just what is happening in British politics, but why it matters and what might happen next. Tune in for a regular dose of perspective that feels less like a formal briefing and more like overhearing a crucial chat in the corridors of influence. This podcast provides that essential context, making sense of the rapid flow of daily news with authority and clarity.
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