Laura Kuenssberg to step down as BBC Political editor

[brad465]

This had been speculated/believed for a few months or so now, but now is official, where she'll down at Easter:

Laura Kuenssberg to step down as BBC's political editor

After seven years in the post, the journalist will now take on other roles within the BBC.

www.bbc.co.uk

Laura Kuenssberg is to step down as the BBC's political editor after seven years in the job, the corporation has confirmed.
Kuenssberg took over from Nick Robinson in 2015, becoming the first woman to hold the position.
She said it had been "incredible to occupy the chair during a time of such huge change" in British politics.
The BBC said Kuenssberg would remain in post until Easter and then take on a range of other roles.

The journalist's time as political editor covered a tumultuous period in British politics, which included Brexit, two UK general election and the Covid-19 pandemic.
"I've been so lucky to do the best daily reporting job in the business, with the best colleagues anyone could wish for," said Kuenssberg in a statement.
"It's been incredible to occupy the chair during a time of such huge change and to try to make sense of it for our viewers, listeners and readers online."
She added: "I'll miss the daily drama, and our wonderful team in Westminster, immensely. But after nearly seven years and what feels like decades' worth of headlines, it's time for the next move."
The broadcaster said she would take on "a range of news and current affairs projects across TV, radio and online", adding that further details will be announced next year.

 

[Bald Rick]

Will be interesting to see where she pops up next.

Whilst many people dislike her, I have always rated her. To be disliked equally by the right and left does suggest she is impartial!

 

[43096]

Whilst many people dislike her, I have always rated her.

I tend to agree, but she's let herself down with the lack of serious questioning of the politicians over Covid.

To be disliked equally by the right and left does suggest she is impartial!

That strikes me as one of the measures of success for a political journalist.

 

[DarloRich]

Whilst many people dislike her, I have always rated her. To be disliked equally by the right and left does suggest she is impartial!

I do rate her ( and she did start on Look North which is always a good grounding) but sadly feel she has become something of a mouth piece for the current regime. There simply isn't enough criticism. I know why - to maintain access - but that is part of the problem.

 

[GusB]

For a bit of balance, good riddance! I can't stand her, and won't be sorry to see her go.

 

[Acfb]

I don't think she was very good at her job to be honest. That said I have the same criticism of other BBC/lobby journalists etc and have very similar criticisms of Stratton (who was worse if anything).

I do think the BBC political coverage on Newsnight has improved recently with Lewis Goodall though who actually investigates public opinion on brexit which he did well during the 2019 and issues such the refugee crisis properly.

 

[backontrack]

For a bit of balance, good riddance! I can't stand her, and won't be sorry to see her go.

Heartily seconded.

 

[westv]

I never really understood why people dislike her.

 

[Wynd]

ITs not Kuenssberg that many take issue with, as opposed to the BBC editorial line on a number of issues. Particularity the twisting of the interpretation of "balance" which saw some figures platformed far beyond their legitimate claim to be represented. In fact that is still going on. Certian views are given far more representation than they should legitimately be given whilst others are totally underrepresented given the representative results of elections.

LK, meh, whatever. She is very very close to the powers that be so I'm sure she will do fine.

 

[GusB]

LK, meh, whatever. She is very very close to the powers that be so I'm sure she will do fine.

Allegra Stratton's shoes need filling, don't they?

 

[westv]

ITs not Kuenssberg that many take issue with, as opposed to the BBC editorial line on a number of issues. Particularity the twisting of the interpretation of "balance" which saw some figures platformed far beyond their legitimate claim to be represented. In fact that is still going on. Certian views are given far more representation than they should legitimately be given whilst others are totally underrepresented given the representative results of elections.

Any specific examples?

 

[Busaholic]

Will be interesting to see where she pops up next.

Whilst many people dislike her, I have always rated her. To be disliked equally by the right and left does suggest she is impartial!

Not being able to reliably guess at a reporter's own political views are a sure sign of true professional impartiality, so I agree with you. The Corbynista conspiracy theorists got it totally wrong, as do those, mostly right wingers, who now rail against her for supposedly peddling a government/ Labour party lockdown agenda. It'll be interesting to see who replaces her. I sincerely hope it's not the insufferable Chris Mason who seems to regard himself as God's gift to political reporting but, to my way of reading him, is always anxious to defend the government and demand of the opposition on almost everything ''well, precisely what would you do then?''. I suspect Johnson and Dorries would love to see him succeed.

 

[Wynd]

Any specific examples?

Many, however in the interests of harmony I shall go no further.

 

[Typhoon]

Allegra Stratton's shoes need filling, don't they?

I sincerely hope it's not the insufferable Chris Mason who seems to regard himself as God's gift to political reporting but, to my way of reading him, is always anxious to defend the government and demand of the opposition on almost everything ''well, precisely what would you do then?''. I suspect Johnson and Dorries would love to see him succeed.

That's one problem solved - Mason to replace Stratton.

I think you are quite right about Mason. I find him a pale shadow of Dimbleby (J) on Any Questions, - the ''well, precisely what would you do then?'' irritates me as well - they can't be precise, they are not in government so probably won't have the exact facts and figures to hand; ministers would have been briefed. However he lets some of the lamest government ministers off the hook.

 

[DerekC]

At one point there was a story she was going to R4 "Today". She would fit well alongside Nick Robinson and could continue to bite ministerial (and opposition) ankles.

 

[westv]

Many, however in the interests of harmony I shall go no further.

Just one would do.

 

[Wynd]

Just one would do.

You cant think of one example of the BBC over or under representing an individual or viewpoint?

 

[Busaholic]

At one point there was a story she was going to R4 "Today". She would fit well alongside Nick Robinson and could continue to bite ministerial (and opposition) ankles.

I'd think that might in part depend on what the programme decides to do about Amol Rajan. His rare contributions tend to jar, not just with me but, as far as I can tell, with whoever is his co-presenter for the day. He seems slapdash, often getting the time wrong (an old habit of the programme, but no longer necessary) and cutting across or into the other person. He gabbles his words and often sounds uninterested: other than that, he's quite good, and no fool. A fish out of water. Reported not to get on with Nick Robinson, though the latter is studiously polite with him.

 

[AlterEgo]

You cant think of one example of the BBC over or under representing an individual or viewpoint?

You make this point like it is inevitable to happen at some stage, which it is, and hence you undermine your own argument.

 

[Wynd]

You make this point like it is inevitable to happen at some stage, which it is, and hence you undermine your own argument.

On the contrary, it has already happened.

 

[AlterEgo]

On the contrary, it has already happened.

That is not contrary to what I said at all. Please do tell us if we are supposed to be surprised that an organisation as large as the BBC charged with reporting on as much as it can, occasionally gets on the wrong side of the fence.

As for the Kuenssberg detractors, I’m not sure what exactly she is supposed to have done personally.

 

[Wynd]

I suppose, if it were occasional, people would be more understanding.

 

[brad465]

She's now going to be the full time replacement for Andrew Marr:

Laura Kuenssberg to replace Andrew Marr full-time

The BBC's former political editor will take over the flagship Sunday morning politics show.

www.bbc.co.uk

Laura Kuenssberg is to replace Andrew Marr as the host of BBC One's flagship Sunday morning politics show.
The journalist is taking over the role after announcing her decision to step down as the BBC's political editor last December.
The BBC said she would join the "new-look" Sunday morning show in September this year.
It comes months after her headline-grabbing interview with Boris Johnson's former chief adviser Dominic Cummings.
"I couldn't be more delighted," the journalist said in a statement.
"For decades Sunday morning has been the moment to explore the events that shape us and to challenge and listen to our politicians.
"It's an honour to take the chair for that conversation in the 2020s."
Interim director of BBC News Jonathan Munro said: "Laura's the perfect host for our flagship weekend politics show - she's an engaging presenter and a razor-sharp political interviewer, and she knows exactly which questions audiences want answered."
Other names thought to be in the running for the high-profile job included BBC News presenter Sophie Raworth, who has presented an interim replacement programme since Marr's departure.
Woman's Hour host Emma Barnett and Today programme presenter Mishal Husain were also said to be in contention.
Marr quit the show that bore his name last year, saying he wanted to get his "own voice back".
He has since become chief political commentator at The New Statesman, and taken on presenting roles at LBC and Classic FM.
Kuenssberg took over from Nick Robinson as the BBC's political editor in 2015, becoming the first woman to hold the position.
Her tenure has encompassed a tumultuous period in British politics, which included Brexit, two UK general elections and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Her last assignment as political editor will be covering the local elections in May. A successor has yet to be revealed, but an announcement is expected in the coming weeks.
The Sunday morning politics show is a staple of British political discourse. Marr hosted it for 16 years, taking over from Sir David Frost, who steered the ship from 1993 - 2005.

 

[DarloRich]

She's now going to be the full time replacement for Andrew Marr

The obvious step. Hopefully she will give government ministers a bit of shoeing form time to time.

 

[Phil56]

It's a shame Laura has got that job. I thought the temporary presenter, Sophie Raworth, had gone a really good job since Marr left.

 

[Simon11]

I would love for Jonathan to prove the bit underlined below....

Interim director of BBC News Jonathan Munro said: "Laura's the perfect host for our flagship weekend politics show - she's an engaging presenter and a razor-sharp political interviewer, and she knows exactly which questions audiences want answered."

During the regular media covid broadcasts with the PM, the questions she raised were terrible and told us nothing, with always a negative view to back up that covid was super, super deadly. I usually found the public's questions far, far better and actually had some value in asking!

 

[Mag_seven]

It's a shame Laura has got that job. I thought the temporary presenter, Sophie Raworth, had gone a really good job since Marr left.

Nobody has ever met the high standards set by the likes of Robin Day and Brian Walden IMHO.

 

[John Hunt]

Look on the bright side - no more shouting questions outside No. 10 and sounding like a fishwife.....

 

[Phil56]

I would love for Jonathan to prove the bit underlined below....

Interim director of BBC News Jonathan Munro said: "Laura's the perfect host for our flagship weekend politics show - she's an engaging presenter and a razor-sharp political interviewer, and she knows exactly which questions audiences want answered."

During the regular media covid broadcasts with the PM, the questions she raised were terrible and told us nothing, with always a negative view to back up that covid was super, super deadly. I usually found the public's questions far, far better and actually had some value in asking!

At least if she's got the Sunday morning job, it's easier to avoid watching her! We've had over-kill of her in the last few years, first with Brexit and then Covid - always pushing her own agenda rather than asking the questions that viewers want answers to. I remember a few times re Covid, she asked completely irrelevant questions of Boris immediately after his Covid statements, she'd clearly ignored what he was saying and just wanted some cheap soundbites for her Ten O Clock news segment on a different subject!

 

[colchesterken]

I would have thought that was a sideway step. Chief political editor must be one of the top on screen jobs.
A one hour a week show seems a step down..how does the money compare?