BROWN AGREES TO TV ELECTION DEBATES

BROWN AGREES TO TV ELECTION DEBATES

SNP SEEK GUARANTEES – “MUST REFLECT DEMOCRATIC AND POLITICAL REALITY”

Following confirmation that Gordon Brown has agreed in principle to
General Election TV debates, the SNP are demanding guarantees from the
broadcasters that the party must be included in any UK-wide TV debates.

Commenting, SNP election campaign co-ordinator Stewart Hosie MP said:

“We have long had election debates in Scotland, and it is high time we had
UK-wide debates for the Westminster elections. But if they are to be at
all relevant, they must reflect the democratic and political reality of
Scotland and the UK.

“The fact is that the General Election in Scotland is a two-horse race
between the SNP and Labour, and so it would be entirely unacceptable, and
unfair to the Scottish audience, to exclude the party that forms the
Government of Scotland and is now leading in the Westminster polls in
Scotland.

“The broadcasters must meet their obligations to audiences across the UK –
and that means that any debates broadcast in Scotland must include Alex
Salmond, and other relevant spokespeople should there also be subject
debates. We shall be approaching the broadcasters to demand such
guarantees, given their clear public service obligations to ensure
fairness and impartiality in election-related coverage in Scotland.

"It would be entirely unacceptable for the leader of a party not just
represented at Westminster but which is also the Government of Scotland to
be excluded from any such debates."

“We are obviously prepared to be flexible about options for the format,
but the party of government in Scotland must on principle be included in
any such debates.”