It's not often I agree with Gerry Sutcliffe - but the BBC must stay in Bradford

I like the BBC.

I won’t pretend that the BBC is perfect – it certainly has its problems. An immensely complex management system, unnecessarily aggressive (and I suspect borderline legal) licence fee collection tactics, and Eastenders all count towards its problems.

But the BBC does produce some fantastic output. The editorial independence afforded to its programme makers is unparalleled – no other broadcaster in the world would allow one of its presenters to give its top dog the grilling that James Naughtie gave George Entwistle on Radio 4’s Today programme when he was appointed to Director-General. The coverage given to the BBC’s own failings in the Jimmy Savile affair wouldn’t have happened if it was ITV.

The BBC’s independence puts it, in my eyes, above any other broadcaster in the land. The licence fee is worth every penny for Radio 4 and Question Time alone. Everything else is a bonus.

Which is why I am so disappointed about the Corporation’s decision to close its Bradford studio. I actually want to support the BBC. I want it to work, and I want it to work as well as it does now. Closing one of its regional studios will bring it further away from its listeners – and the BBC simply can’t afford to be out of touch.

But this planned closure has further consequences. The National Media Museum, in which the Bradford studio is housed, is struggling against a 50% reduction in footfall over the past decade. The removal of this studio will deprive the Museum of a live, working exhibit. The closure of the BBC Bradford studio could be the nail in the coffin of this fabulous Bradford institution. The relationship isn’t just one way – the BBC benefits from a fantastic city centre location ideal for broadcasts based in Bradford and its surrounding district.

Bradford already suffers from negative media perception and underrepresentation. Moving the BBC out will necessarily and unavoidably amplify that. The damage will be irreparable. It’s bad enough that the BBC has named its West Yorkshire radio station after just one of the three cities in the county – leaving Bradford behind altogether just adds insult to injury.

This decision is a bad for the BBC and bad for Bradford. We must reverse it for both of their sakes.

What can I do?

Within ten minutes, you can help save the BBC, without even leaving your computer. Follow the below 3 point plan:

·         Contact your MP online using http://www.writetothem.com/ and tell them you want to keep the BBC in Bradford. This will send an email to your MP so you don’t even need a printer or a stamp!

·         Tell the BBC you’re unhappy. There’s a handy form at https://ssl.bbc.co.uk/complaints/forms/?reset=#anchor

·         Spread the word. Blog. Tweet. Talk. If you’re using Twitter, use the hashtag #BBCinBD