Reportedly “no fewer than 472 BBC staff were hanging on the telephone 10 days ago to discuss its coverage of the upcoming US party conventions.” Why? Because there is no serious budget control, no profit motive and unlimited access to funds courtesy of a feudal taxation system to the benefit of the broadcasting barons.

Realistically the coverage could be done by the BBC’s existing American correspondents. Every news and current affairs show however wants a jolly and to enjoy the buzzing excitement. Guido was told by one Democratic insider that the BBC had a bigger presence at the U.S. conventions than any other domestic broadcaster – more than ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, Fox or PBS. It was ridiculous he said because none of the main players had the time to waste speaking to viewers who weren’t voters. The best they could hope for would be an answer to a shouted question.

It is a complete waste of money, there is no reason why the BBC could not provide a comprehensive service with one tenth of the 427 people on that conference call. Why does every news and current affairs programme have to send a team over the Atlantic at a cost of millions of pounds of telly taxpayers money? Reform of the bloated BBC should be high on the next government’s agenda.