Leighton Andrews on Beeb's snobbery.

Many will find sympathy with  former  Assembly Minister  former Minister  who in the words of the Wasting Mule has launched a stinging attack on BBC discussion programmes like Question Time – labelling them “Westminster-biased, ignorant and metro-centric” and accusing them of failing to understand Welsh affairs.

 Andrews said while BBC news output had made some improvements to its devolved news output, panel shows such as TV’s Question Time and radio’s Any Questions? suffered from an “inherent Westminster bias” and refuse to invite Welsh Ministers or Assembly Members other than the First Minister out of “snobbery”.has launched a stinging attack on BBC discussion programmes like Question Time – labelling them “Westminster-biased, ignorant and metro-centric” and accusing them of failing to understand Welsh affairs.

Leighton Andrews said while BBC news output had made some improvements to its devolved news output, panel shows such as TV’s Question Time and radio’s Any Questions? suffered from an “inherent Westminster bias” and refuse to invite Welsh Ministers or Assembly Members other than the First Minister out of “snobbery”.A former Minister has launched a stinging attack on BBC discussion programmes like Question Time – labelling them “Westminster-biased, ignorant and metro-centric” and accusing them of failing to understand Welsh affairs.

 Andrews said while BBC news output had made some improvements to its devolved news output, panel shows such as TV’s Question Time and radio’s Any Questions? suffered from an “inherent Westminster bias” and refuse to invite Welsh Ministers or Assembly Members other than the First Minister out of “snobbery”.

The Rhondda Labour AM said that despite being gaining a national profile through cross-border controversies with Education Secretary Michael Gove, he was never asked to go on any edition of either of the Corporation’s flagship discussion programmes despite being put forward by Labour.

He also said Scotland was better represented on BBC discussion programmes as Scottish issues were seen as “more sexy” than Welsh issues.

Asked if AMs were being snubbed due to snobbery, Mr Andrews said: “Yes. I think they’re Westminster-biased. I think they are ignorant. I think they are metro-centric. I think they have a hard time understanding what goes on beyond the M25. Specifically, Any Questions and Question Time.

Now there's a suspicion of "Pick Me Pick Me"  here but Andrews has a point.

Question time  when it comes from inside wales has appalling record partly due to its reluctance to invite Welsh Politicians let alone AM and Dimberbly as does his brother on the radio's "Any Question" conducts a patronising  attitude  towards  anyone who attempts to slant the topic towards Wales.

I suspect part of the problem is that the BBC are of the opinion that people outside Wales are not really aware that areas like the NHS and Education are now the responsibility of the Assembly and that "English" rules apply.

But part of this is the Beebs fault when they do not make it clear that statement from  Westminster Ministers do not apply in Wales as with Gove's "British Values " in Schools rubbish which give the impression this applied to the whole UK.

Indeed often a distinction often is only made when the Westminster Government and the Media wishes to compare the NHS and Education in Wales in a bad light/.

I doubt that the inclusion of our AM on Question time will improve that programme which is usually bloody awful anyway.

But at least it will give people here some idea whose running things in Wales and get some idea of their capability.

On the other hand maybe Welsh Labour in particular may not be to keen for people to see how those in power her preform.