MPs to scrutinise UK's 'dismal record' at Eurovision as TaxPayers' Alliance blasts inquiry a waste of time

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

The Commons Digital, Media and Sport Committee is to launch a formal inquiry into Britain's string of Eurovision failures, after Look Mum No Computer finished last with just one point at this year's contest. Committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage said MPs want to establish who chooses the UK's entry, on what basis, and whether poor results stem from bad song choice, weak performance, or something else. The inquiry will call BBC figures and music industry experts to give evidence in Parliament.

The UK has finished last or near-last repeatedly — James Newman got nul points in 2021, Mae Muller finished second-from-bottom in 2023, and both Olly Alexander and Remember Monday received zero points from the public.

William Yarwood of the TaxPayers' Alliance blasted the probe, saying: 'Britain has soaring debt and a record-high tax burden — yet MPs have decided the urgent national question is why we're rubbish at Eurovision.'

Sam Ryder's second-place finish with 'Spaceman' in 2022 remains the UK's sole bright spot this decade; the country last won Eurovision in 1997 with Katrina and the Waves.