On Saturday the U.K.’s Prime Minister said that Ukraine deserved to host Eurovision 2023. And now his Secretary of State for Culture Nadine Dorries has echoed the sentiment after speaking with her Ukrainian counterpart Oleksandr Tkachenko.
Ms. Dorries tweeted that the government remains 100% “supportive of our friends in Ukraine being given the opportunity to host Eurovision next year” to “demonstrate to the world the enduring richness of Ukrainian culture and creativity.”
She also called on the European Broadcasting Union to “review their decision and to ensure that Ukraine’s proposals are given full and proper consideration.”
We call upon the @EBU_HQ to review their decision and to ensure that Ukraine's proposals are given full and proper consideration.
— Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) June 22, 2022
They won it, they quite rightly want to host it. Slava Ukraini ??
Her tweets drew incredibly mixed responses, with many suggesting that as U.K. Minister of Culture she should be promoting…U.K. culture.
@chrispoppe wrote: “You should be supporting the UK’s opportunity to show the world just how great our production could be. You do realise it takes a year to prepare to host the contest?”
@dawn_venton suggested that it’d be redundant for the EBU to consider Ukraine’s proposals for a second time. Dawn wrote: “I think the whole point of asking the U.K. to host is that they have given it full and proper consideration!!”
Ukraine wants EBU to reconsider hosting decision
Ukraine’s Minister of Culture has been clear from the beginning: He does not agree with the EBU’s decision to take Eurovision 2023 away from Ukraine. In a strongly worded statement, released shortly after the EBU said it was in talks with the BBC, Mr. Tkachenko said:
“In response to the published statement of the European Broadcasting Union on the impossibility of hosting Eurovision – 2023 in Ukraine, we want to emphasize the following.”
“Ukraine does not agree with the nature of such a decision – when we were confronted with the fact without discussion on other options. But we strongly believe that we have every reason to hold further negotiations in order to find a joint solution that will satisfy all parties.”
“We honestly won Eurovision and have fulfilled all the condition within the deadlines for the process of approving its holding in Ukraine — we have provided answers and guarantees on safety standards and possible venues for the competition.”
“Hosting Eurovision 2023 in Ukraine is a strong signal to the whole world that it supports Ukraine now. We will demand to change this decision, because we believe that we will be able to fulfil all the commitments, as we have repeatedly [emphasised to] the European Broadcasting Union.”
“That is why we demand additional negotiations on hosting Eurovision 2023 in Ukraine.”
????
Get in the bin, Nadine…
Act a fool, girl. Act a fool.
Probably not the answer for 2023, but I think the EBU ought to think of having a permanent site for the contest. It would save money, expertise and end this wretched period of uncertainty every year. It’s a nice idea to have the winner host for the next year, but that started in the days when the entries were in the teens. It’s too impractical to host from scratch an event of the size it has become.
The new woke virtue signalling…
All this drama from the UK politicians makes me very happy that politicians don’t actually have any say in who hosts the contest. Sure you need some political help to stage the show, but it’s not them who decide where it’s held. And non of what they say seems to feel genuine. It’s all just fluff to make Ukraine feel supported, not that’s a bad thing, just not really important when it comes to organizing the largest music show on earth.
Well, the might do, since the BBC controls who is sent.
Dear Eurovision Fans As a Brit please can I ask that you do not listen to Boris Johnson or Nadine Dorris; they are both unpopular politicians at the moment. Nadine Dorris in particular dislikes the BBC and wants to make it a private tv network without government support. She also says and does silly things like a few years ago went on a celebrity reality tv series in Australia while she is a MP without telling anyone. We all wanted Eurovision in Ukraine but it’s not possible and so I just hope that the BBC takes advantage of this huge… Read more »
The dislike for the BBC is valid, the hate for GB and simping for Ukraine because they happen to be at war, is not.
Whatever Boris says Nadine says. She often rehashes his statements word for word and has almost done so this time.
She probably buys him some sweets to eat on the school bus home
The way things are going for the Tories she and Boris Dickson will probably be cleaning toilets at the next contest should it take place in the UK
Ignore her, she needs to give her head a wobble, thinking this war will end before May next year is ludicrous
the st*pidest european government had to be
The actual british government hates BBC – that´s the simple explanation. They all fear a show against Johnson next year – the worst case would be an ESC in Scotland.
The dislike for the BBC is valid, but they could easily get another TV company to host it or set up their own if they are desperate for the BBC not to host it.
Let the contest come back to Sweden. SVT has the experience, and the ability not to make it all about themselves. 2016’s postcards were not about tourism. There will be no nationalism of any kind, just a neutral location with people who know what they’re doing and can do it on budget. Yes, it’s not that long since the contest was last in SVT’s hands, but this is a good thing. Other countries have been waiting decades to host but this is not really the way they wanted it to happen. Plus, we’ll get more Petra. It really does make… Read more »
Also don’t forget that the contest should never have gone to Baku in 2012, we all know that. Eric Saade was cheated out of bringing the contest home to Sweden. 2023 could be a way of righting that wrong.
Endless talk about who is “the real winner” of each year. It goes nowhere. But I agree with Sweden as 2023 host. Unpopular opinion I notice by downvotes. Even though I understand the critics about Sweden being everywhere and changing ESC rules, but in this case maybe 2023 should be theirs.
On the contrary, Sweden makes Eurovision constantly about themselves.No thanks. I think many of us are tired of seeing the same standard formulaic production from Sweden. Time for some fresh input. Eurovision isn’t all about Sweden, however big the MF gets.
We all love Petra but this year it does not make sense for SVT to host. It should be the BBC.
It doesn’t make sense for the BBC to host if they don’t want it. All that’s happened so far is the EBU have asked them to. We haven’t actually gotten an answer yet.
The UK government doesn’t seem very keen then. How much would this actually influence a decision by the BBC?
It is not up to her (or to Boris Johnson for that matter) to decide on this. Fortunately.
Feeling that UK and Spain don’t want to host, at this point I really want Sweden to do it, and to see Mans again until we’ll be even more tired of him. At least Sweden loves ESC. Maybe the popularity of ESC in a country should be the main criteria, now that the winner won’t host. If next year host will have no entusiasm and will not put their heart in it, it can damage ESC future.
What land does Nadine Dorries and Boris Johnson live in,its getting absolutely ludicrous now,we all know Ukraine won the contest fair and square but the just can’t hold the contest next year for a million and one reasons and they should have been told that when they said they were still entering this years contest
The two idiots Boris and Nadine have just showed their ignorance pf the contest and this Govt are obviously petrified of upsetting the Ukraine govt.I could go on and on..!!!
Translation: we don’t want to spend money
Of course the Tory government aren’t going to throw their support behind Eurovision. Not until they have a scandal that they want to cover up by announcing that the UK will host Eurovision – A guaranteed front page news story that will distract from whatever the next thing they want to cover up.
EBU made everything for the Ukraine victory; not placing Ukraine just in a symbolic participation out of the voting, the running order even though I admit even going 2nd would probably not changed the outcome.
So they have to assume now.
Ukraine 2023. The countries who don’t want to come will either withdraw or use live-on-tape. Simple as it.
And if more than 15 countries withdraw oi will be even more simplier to host with no semi-finals and just a grand final like in the past.
No offense, but the more coverage you give to politicians about their one-sided stance on who should host Eurovision, the less credible this whole “hosting drama” sham is.
However, if politicians are SO EAGER to have the contest in Ukraine, maybe we should serve them as sacrifice to the Russians. If you REALLY want the contest there, then go right ahead, pack your bags and BE part of the contest that you want in Ukraine.
Your delusional stance will be your own death wish if you’re not careful.
Since Ukr*ine will be winning every year until the w*r is over (so in some years from now), we have only 1 option:
Kick out the Ukr*inian broadcaster until the w*r is over.
Ok pro Russia 🙂
She’s Secretary of State for Culture, not some lowly Minister. Big difference. She’s also an id1ot.
So should the uk withdraw and then the government won’t have to worry about them winning anytime soon
They are all idiots in this government….
She’s Secretary of State for Culture, not some lowly Minister. Big difference. She’s also an idiot.
As a minister should it not be her responsibility to promote UK?
Nadine Dorries is delusional about everything. Hun, Boris isn’t going to sh*ag you.
This woman is delusional
Can politicans just try and keep out? All their hot air statements helps no-one and makes them look foolish and delusional.
We get it, all politicians and ex winners feel like pandering the illusion of winning the war is more important than actual people actually feeling safe at the contest… 🙁
To clarify: I WANT Ukraine to win as soon as possible, but objectively speaking, the outcome still isn’t clear, and there’s no guarantee that bombings won’t continue. Of course, it would be fantastic if they don’t, but who’s to take responsibility if things go wrong?
So, to be fair, it might be wishful thinking rather than pandering, but it’s still wreckless.
The message of Ukraine still being able to host despite of the attacks is beautiful, and IF such contest would succeed, it would be a powerful message to send across. Still, the risks are too big to gamble on them.
#SlavaUkrajini
#NoWar
#Eurovision2023atthesafeplace
That’s all folks.
Ah good old propaganda.
I get that the UK wants to remain supportive and friendly to Ukraine but the situation in Ukraine is too extreme rn and it’s uncertain whether it will be over when ESC2023 starts (And if yes, they still have some more important things than hosting a song contest). I hope that there statements aren’t going to make the BBC declining to host cuz it’s literally their first chance to host ESC in a long time and we know that if the BBC refuses to host the EBU will offer Spain or Sweden to host rather than coming back to Ukraine
Ugh. We’re gonna go on with this little song and dance for a while. This “no, Ukraine should host!!!!” forever and ever even though it’s obvious that the UK is probably going to have to anyway. This will happen as long as they can get away with it (until they HAVE to announce a host city) but I’d wish they’d just hurry along already
With her being already the second from Johnson’s cabinet to say so, do we have to assume the UK government doesn’t want the BBC to host it?
People are saying that it is not really up to the government to decide but I’m fairly confident there many within BBC who hold similar views.
No they won’t the BBC and the government are growing further apart
This debacle so stunningly asinine. You cannot organise Eurovision in a country at war. It’s fairly simple. Time to get on with it. The virtue signalling from the Tories on this is so divorced from the reality of this war.
If nobody wants to host it, then maybe they could ask Russia?
Also, stupid EBU, if you don’t want someone to host, then don’t let them win or participate, instead of serving this soap opera afterwards.
so EBU should now decides who they want to win? lol it’s not how it works
“Not how it works”? Check Poland’s “result” at JESC 2020 and think again.
but the system voting in ESC and JESC are completely different, you can’t compare it, in your logic they would make Sweden or Spain won
and anyway it’s up to BBC to decide ,not to their government, we haven’t heard anything from broadcaster yet
How about reading attentively before replying? The talk was of the EBU’s potential tampering with the results, not the voting systems.
Ukraine was a legitimate participant, and a legitimate winner. They were going to participate anyway, and people’s support for their song, their struggle, or both, is what brought them the trophy. Not even the juries were the ones to crown them, but the random voters. So, like it or not, it was legit. And so, they have the right to have their song be an automatic qualifier in 2023. Picking the location is another thing entirely, as I believe that safety of the participants and viewers should come first.
Can they just pass it on to Spain then? They showed out this past edition with Benidorm and the effort they put into their act. Plus if Ukraine hadn’t participated, they would’ve won. Mathematically speaking.
but as remember they refused to host already, though maybe if EBU would ask they will reconsider?
You do realise that government figures have no say on the matter? Until the BBC themselves say they don’t want/can’t host, nothing changes.
Ukraine participated
I agree, I get that Uk our allies and biggest supporters in Europe in our struggle with Russia but if the UK will refuse to host it will not magically stop the war in my country, it still will be there, so thanks guys a lot but we can’t host, we have few delusional persons in our government too but EBU alredy made the statement so it will be the UK or any other country who will agree to host instead of us
This whole situation reminds me of MARUV stripped off her right to represent Ukraine back in 2019. Because of the blatant injustice, all the runner-ups refuse to take her place. It was quite wholesome.
Hopefully BBC, RTVE, SVT and everyone that EBU asks will decline to host Eurovision and the right will be returned to the winner.
as Ukrainian I can say situation with Maruv wasn’t injustice at all, she just refused to sign standard contract with brodcaster because she didn’t want to lose her concerts in Russia and now seeing her being loud antivaxer and Russia lover I’m glad she didn’t represent us and about hosting, I think some official person in government just don’t understand the whole process in preparing Eurovision event, I want us to host but I think its impossible due of still ongoing war, we can’t guaranty safety for anyone, Russian missiles can reach any place in Ukraine, Putin is total psycho… Read more »
I think that if anyone should decided whether Ukraine should host or not, it shoyld be the Ukrainians. Opinions might still differ among you whether you should host or not, or how. Maube you should plan for it, and if not possible, there should be a plan B with another “Love, shine a light” and Ukraine would host in 2024 just like the Netherlands hosted two years later. Things might have settled and the war be over by then. Of course it is not what we want, and not the best solution for everybody, but it would be fair… Anyway,… Read more »
If said broadcasters all decline the offer of hosting, there will simply be no Eurovision next year.
We survived not having Eurovision for one year in 2020. We’ll be ok if the same happens in 2023.
I think Eurovision need to press the reset button anyway especially after this year’s jury voting fiasco.
Don’t know why you are so insistent in wanting Ukraine to host ESC 2023 when there are still so much uncertainties regarding the war in Ukraine.
Or maybe you just wanted the people and Eurovision fans to die by getting bombed by Russian missiles while attending the event? Are you secretly pro-Russia?
Certified incompetent Nadine Dorries opens mouth to give worthless opinion. Shocker.
Are we forgetting that the country is still at war? I know people are assuming the war will be over by the time of the contest but like…the war is still going on. This seems like a fake cover to just say “we don’t want to pay for this”
And even if the war ends miraculously, the planning of the contest takes a whole year.
No thank you, but I don’t want your rushed organization and get a D- for it.
Look, if the Uk doesn’t want to organise, it’s ok, just say so. No harm done! They’ll search for someone else. All you have to do is say no. I would also like to point one thing out. It’s pretty obvious Ukraine isn’t the best location for the next contest. Due to the current situation. Anyone can understand that, I think. But then, the search for next year’s hosting country isn’t and shouldn’t be based on the ranking. This is a question of who is readier to organise it. If it is France or Germany, then it is France or… Read more »
I agree, this year’s placings should not have anything to do with selecting next year’s host.
I mean, theoretically you’re not incorrect, but there should definitely be some framework in place for these situations. Personally I feel that it should always fall upon a Big Five broadcaster (as automatic qualifiers), with the highest placed country being given first right of refusal. Luckily for the EBU, this year it was the UK that placed highest out of the five, and conveniently also as runners-up.
I really have the impression that Nadine and Boris don’t want to open the wallet to organize a contest that they didn’t win. By not caring about the security of the candidates and the delegations! Ukraine needs to rebuild and has other emergencies. Frankly, if the United Kingdom does not want to hear anything, they might as well ask Spain, since they are next in the rank. [The big joke would be to go get France or Germany, we hold hands at the bottom of the board, but there’s no problem, the Seine Musicale is already ready!)
I’m really disappointed by her response. Both Nadine and Boris have absolutely no idea about the time and preparation needed to organise such an event. If anything she should just be happy that the UK has even been considered to host the contest. Now I almost feel like we shouldn’t even host next year cause of how they have responded, as it just comes across like we don’t want to host it, when actually most people are excited at the prospect of hosting it.
Perhaps United Kingdom just does not want to host and they should proceed to the next country, Sweden? Spain also said that they are not that much interested.
Believe me, the UK, more so the people of the UK, are excited for this possibility
Can we please keep the notorious lawbreaking Tory Party out of this blogsite!
Why? Pretending they don’t exist is no good for anyone. It’s important that people know what morons they are, what harm they are doing, and that they need to be voted out.
UK gov. is really annoying. If they continue to act like this, EBU should pursue other countries to host ESC 2023. It’s a TV show that needs security and time planning, also with a public that needs to stay in a safe place. Are they using their brain? Come on. It’s becoming a joke
Only correction: these discussions about Ukraine aren’t becoming a joke, they already are a bad joke for four weeks now.
I kinda wish you didn’t write this article or give her the air time. Or at least refer to her in some sort of Voltermort sort of way. It would really help in portraying her as irrelevant as she and her opinions actually are to UK culture.
She’s not irrelevant. That’s the sad part. I first heard of her when she announced they were selling off Channel 4, that the public should not need to pay for it. Not realising that even though it’s publicly owned, it’s funded by private advertising which results in huge profit. She’s a wrecking ball of ignorance.
Oh, and I really hope the EBU stays strong against all the pressure it’s getting. The only way I could see a contest going ahead in Ukraine in 2023 is if it[s a live on tape contest, and that would be devastating. Live on tape would have been acceptable in 2020 because the whole continent was hamstrung by the virus, but in 2023, I don’t people will be happy with an LOT contest just to keep Ukrainian television and Boris Johnson happy.
People outside the UK: you are lucky, because you probably have never heard of Nadine Dorries. She may the stupidest person ever to hold a ministerial portfolio in the history of the UK. She holds it because she is loyal to Johnson, and he only promotes loyalists and people who won’t make him look bad. In years to come, people will look back on this time and wonder how someone so completely stupid was ever allowed to be a minister.
So I wouldn’t worry too much about anything she says.
funny how they act like the uk hosting isn’t already a deal
dumbass Tory