ITV's Good Morning Britain has faced significant viewer backlash following what many are calling an 'unacceptable' interview with Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Wednesday, November 27.
Viewer Outcry Over Perceived Bias
The Chancellor appeared on the breakfast show just one day after delivering her Autumn Budget, where she was questioned by presenters Ed Balls and Susanna Reid. However, it was Balls' participation that sparked immediate controversy among the audience.
Viewers took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to express their concerns, with many highlighting Balls' previous role as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer for Labour from 2011 to 2015. Critics also pointed to his marriage to Yvette Cooper, the current Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, who sat next to Reeves on the front bench during the Budget announcement.
Social Media Reacts
The online reaction was swift and critical. One viewer posted: '#GMB Ed Balls should not be interviewing his wife’s colleague who she sat next to on the front bench yesterday; he is an ex-Labour Chancellor and is pro Reeves agenda. He’s biased.'
Another comment directed at the broadcasting regulator stated: 'Ed Balls should not be on #gmb too close to Labour and his previous role with them. #ofcom this is unacceptable.'
A third observer noted the apparent discomfort of the situation, writing: 'HOW uncomfortable does @edballs look interviewing @RachelReevesMP on @GMB? I mean, the former labour shadow chancellor grilling the current Labour chancellor wouldn’t be a good look, but maybe keep him out of shot? #GMB #Budget2025.'
Budget Publication Controversy
The interview took place against the backdrop of chaos surrounding the Autumn Budget itself. On Tuesday, November 26, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) mistakenly published its forecast report before Chancellor Reeves had finished delivering her speech.
This breach of standard procedure, where the OBR forecast is typically released approximately 90 minutes after the Chancellor concludes, prompted an immediate apology from the OBR and the launch of an official investigation into the incident.
The combination of the unusual Budget publication and the perceived conflict of interest during the Good Morning Britain interview created a perfect storm of criticism, raising questions about political impartiality in broadcast journalism.
