BBC Question Time: Everyone Is Making The Same Ukip Joke

It has something to do with having no MPs.
Ukip leader, Paul Nuttall, on Question Time.
Ukip leader, Paul Nuttall, on Question Time.
BBC

The weekly political knock-about that is the BBC’s Question Time once again included a representative from the UK Independence Party. This time it was Ukip leader, Paul Nuttall, who stepped up.

As HuffPost UK revealed earlier this week, the anti-EU party has a semi-permanent residency on the show.

Ukip appeared on almost one in four of the flagship programmes in the past seven years - despite never having more than two MPs.

Our analysis of the 258 regular Question Time shows since May 6 2010 showed the party had a representative on 24% of the programmes.

But something was different this week.

Last week, its sole MP, Douglas Carswell, resigned from the party, meaning it no longer has a voice in the House of Commons. Ex-leader Nigel Farage has stood unsuccessfully for election to the Commons seven times, in five general elections and two by-elections. Nuttall’s most recent attempt in Stoke also failed.

So no MPs? But a seat on the Question Time panel?

Amazing that regardless how badly they do UKIP still have their safe seat on #bbcqt programme.

— Angus B MacNeil MP (@AngusMacNeilSNP) March 30, 2017

Missed #bbcqt but hoping someone asked why the only seat that UKIP can keep hold of these days is on the @bbcquestiontime panel?!

— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) March 30, 2017

That was two MPs who couldn’t resist during the joke. But the gag was rolled out well in advance.

The only 'safe seat' UKIP has in politics is on BBC Question Time. This week Paul Nuttall will be appearing.#BBCQT @bbcquestiontime pic.twitter.com/uxq8Q0hNg2

— Scott Nelson (@SocialistVoice) March 30, 2017

#Ukip struggle to get a seat in the House of Commons but they don't have such an issue getting a seat on #bbcqt Hmmm! #Article50 #Remain https://t.co/eDP2o3EJRV

— Andy (@SurreyAmps) March 30, 2017

#BBCQT - The only safe seat that UKIP has.

— Simon Phillips (@Simon_Phillips) March 30, 2017

There appears to be only one safe UKIP seat in the country, and that's the one on the #bbcqt panel. https://t.co/kq7cNelRYt

— Ian Hawking (@IanHawking1) March 30, 2017

But its genesis stretches back earlier than Thursday night.

@bbcquestiontime @paulnuttallukip
In all fairness, the only safe seat UKIP have is the one on Question Time #Brexit #bbcqt

— Sophia Cannon (@SophiaCannon) March 29, 2017

And earlier.

Man, the way #UKIP are going the only seat they can rely on is on BBC Question Time.

— Craig (@Jahaangle) March 25, 2017

If you’ve finding it tedious, there was a variation on the theme.

When you realise that UKIP are on #bbcqt *again* this week. pic.twitter.com/atezDw6yi8

— Kirsty S (@KirstyStricklan) March 30, 2017

Panelists on the show, presented by David Dimbleby, also included Scottish Conservative Party leader Ruth Davidson, Labour MP Lisa Nandy, Unite union boss Len McCluskey and Kate Andrews of the Institute of Economic Affairs.

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