Load of polls

Leading the way ?  "Now we wouldn't normally lead our programme on the new policy of a party with only four MPs, but Reform UK has been topping polls for months in large part because of what they've been saying on immigration.  They have been setting the political weather". Thus Sarah Montague at the start of yesterday's World at One on Radio 4. 

This phrase 'setting the political weather' has been in play at the BBC for some time, and, I think, was first used about Reform by Political Editor Chris Mason. Here's an example from July. 

This is frightening editorial logic, if logic it be, and leaves to door open for BBC News to lead on Reform 'policy' statements until the next General Election. It's more worrying because of BBC Board level debate about reaching Reform voters; as far back as March, we get this minute from the Editorial Standards Committee: "The CEO, News and Current Affairs provided the Committee with a presentation on plans to address low trust issues with Reform voters". 

Using the 'evidence' of polls to frame a running order is wrong. It's as wrong as writing 'news' stories because they'll boost your 'clicks' (another BBC News problem). News bulletins are about keeping people up to date and informed about the world they live in; editors balance stories on an evaluation of surprise, shock, importance, a place in a continuum of reporting, likely impact and myriad other touchstones. Would "bring back hanging" have led bulletins over those late eighties years, when the polls disagreed with MPs' free vote to end it ?  Ah, just a moment - how many Reform 'leaders' have called for the death penalty in the last twelve months ?