Laura Kuenssberg has faced calls to be replaced in her Sunday morning show slot by Carol Vorderman and several others following this past weekend’s show.
In the first episode of Kuenssberg’s politics show since Thursday’s General Election and Labour’s landslide victory, the BBC presenter spoke with Lib Dem leader Ed Davey, business secretary Jonathan Reynolds, former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, former health secretary Victoria Atkins and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.
The episode provided plenty of talking points but one to have landed Kuenssberg in hot water came when she spoke to the Lib Dem leader.
Kuenssberg’s language when speaking to and addressing Davey was slammed by Vorderman who suggested Victoria Derbyshire should step into her shoes.
Speaking on Sunday, Kuenssberg said to BBC viewers: “This election made history for all sorts of reasons, and when you put the votes together, the smaller parties got their highest ever share of the votes.”
Taking a dig at Davey’s campaign trail, she continued: “Maybe it was the bungee jumping, or maybe given that the Liberal Democrats want to change the voting system, ironically perhaps they just learned how to play it better by ruthlessly targeting seats where the Conservatives had held them.”
Laura Kuenssberg has been slammed for comments made to Ed Davey
BBC
Moments before welcoming Davey onto the show and watching the Lib Dem celebrations in the early hours of Friday morning, the BBC presenter said: “Well there he is, Ed Davey, the happiest man in Britain, he looked like there, celebrating winning more than 70 seats, and he joins us this morning from south west London.
“Ed Davey, congratulations, I suppose, on your more than 70 seats.”
Davey didn’t directly address Kuenssberg’s use of the phrase “I suppose”, instead thanking her and the show’s team for allowing him to join via video link so he could spend time with his family.
But it didn’t go without criticism from those online, including Vorderman who reacted by posting on X, formerly Twitter: “Time for #bbclaurak to become #bbcVictoriaD don’t you think? @vicderbyshire. Quite extraordinary.”
Time for #bbclaurak to become #bbcVictoriaD don’t you think? @vicderbyshire
Quite extraordinary https://t.co/JOX4MxEfPE
— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) July 7, 2024
She followed this up when replying to a follower in agreement: “Vic D is exceptional and gives them all a hard time if that is what’s needed.
“She knows her detail and cuts through with any bias. BBC is lucky to have her.”
Vorderman wasn’t alone in her criticism of Kuenssberg for her conduct during the interview with Davey, with another writing on X: “I’m afraid that I don’t see how someone so obviously biased can continue in her role.
“Her rudeness towards Ed Davey was nasty and unprofessional. Bring on Victoria Derbyshire. #bbc #bbclaurak.”
Another accused her of bias as they penned: “#bbclaurak why would Laura Kuenssberg say ‘congratulations I suppose’ to Ed Davey?! She is so obviously livid he took Tory seats.”
And a third hit out at the phrasing: “‘Congratulations, I suppose’ says #bbclaurak to Ed Davey. Such a gracious interviewer. Let’s hope we see a change and she is voted off the TV!”
Ed Davey appeared via video link to speak with Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday
BBC
This isn’t the first time since election night that Vorderman has used her social media platform to wade in on political debate.
After the Conservatives’ dismal performance compared to Labour in which the party lost a staggering 252 seats, Vorderman led the celebrations among lefty celebrities online.
She also appeared on the likes of LBC and Channel 4 on the night of the election to gloat over Labour’s victory.
There was even a thinly-veiled dig aimed at Nadine Dorries who joined her in the C4 studio as she embarked on a passionate rant to mark the Tories being voted out, pleading: “Let’s get this party started!”
