GB News, Britain’s fastest-growing and most-watched news channel, was refused entry to cover Jeremy Corbyn’s inaugural party conference in Liverpool—despite submitting accreditation well ahead of time.
Reporter Anna Riley was left locked out as the fledgling left-wing movement, set to announce its official name, gathered just three months after launch.
Snubbed Despite Sky-High Ratings
GB News has just smashed rivals to become the UK’s top news channel. On 26 November, it drew 137,500 viewers on average—beating Sky News (119,200) and BBC News Channel (115,100).
Yet organisers refused GB News access, blocking Riley at the door after multiple attempts to gain accreditation. Outside the venue, Riley slammed the exclusion.
“We are The People’s Channel. We want to cover all sides and hear what Corbyn was saying,” she said. “After waiting a long time, I was told we couldn’t come in. It’s a real disappointment.”
Corbyn Headlines as 2,000 Gather Amid Tight Security
Some 2,000 delegates turned up—far short of the 13,000 hoped for. Corbyn shared the stage with left-wing MPs Zarah Sultana, Shockat Adam, and Ayoub Khan.
The event included a vote on the party’s name: Your Party, Our Party, Popular Alliance, or For the Many. Entry was partly by lottery with plenty joining online and via livestream.
Security was heavy as police patrolled to prevent disruptions while the party set out a democratic socialist agenda focused on social justice and wealth redistribution.
Democracy Claims Ring Hollow as GB News Is Blocked
Riley pointed out the irony of a “democratic member-led” party shutting out a major news outlet.
“They claim to champion democracy, but clearly not when it comes to press freedoms,” she said.
The move reveals a disconnect between the party’s democratic ideals and its media gatekeeping—especially given GB News’s rising influence.
GB News Ban Sparks Questions About Media Bias
GB News’s exclusion, despite its surge in popularity since launch, suggests a deliberate snub rather than an accident. Organisers have yet to explain who got access and why GB News was singled out.
The channel is known for bold, right-leaning commentary and controversial opinions, which may have put it at odds with Corbyn’s leftist movement.
Corbyn’s New Party Hits Early Hurdles
Born in July to challenge Labour’s centrist shift under Starmer, Corbyn’s party is seeking to reclaim socialist principles. This conference was a crucial moment to forge identity and policy direction.
Organisers aim to create a “democratic member-led Socialist party” focused on “social justice, peace and international solidarity”—but press freedom issues cast a shadow over these goals.
Press Freedom Under Fire
Refusing GB News entry raises serious questions about the party’s democratic credentials. Critics say a genuine democratic outfit must welcome scrutiny from all media, even opponents.
So far, the party has stayed mum on why it barred GB News, leaving a cloud of controversy over Britain’s newest political force.
