´óÏó´«Ã½

The 1955 general election was hailed as the first television election, as for the first time it was viewed by a reasonably sized audience. Following his victory, Sir Anthony Eden - aware of these developments - felt it was only right that the Prime Minister be allowed to broadcast directly to the nation. Thus the first ministerial television broadcast was made by Eden on 27 April 1956.

The ministerial broadcasts differed from previous political broadcasts - party election or party political – in that they did not guarantee a right of reply to the opposition. This was not a problem so long as the contents remained uncontroversial. This was the case with the first one - made following the visit of the Soviet leaders Bulganin and Krushchev - detailing the state of British Soviet relations. However, when the Suez crisis erupted and Eden broadcast on 3 November about British action, Hugh Gaitskell, the Leader of the Opposition, demanded a right of reply on television. He was allowed on air the following evening.

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ remains one of the best means of communicating directly with the nation. Today the ´óÏó´«Ã½ has an obligation to provide air time for a broadcast by the Prime Minister or other senior minister, so long as there are exceptional circumstances. These might include a decision on military action. It is also required to consider requests from leaders of the opposition parties.