SNP SEEK GUARANTEES OVER ELECTION TV DEBATES

SNP SEEK GUARANTEES OVER ELECTION TV DEBATES

The SNP is seeking guarantees that the party will have a place in any UK-wide TV debate between party leaders as the BBC, ITV and BSkyB confirm they have put forward a joint proposal to stage three live election debates ahead of the General Election.

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

“It is high time we had party leader debates for the Westminster elections but, if they are to be at all relevant, they must reflect the political reality of the UK.

“The fact is that the General Election is a two horse race between the SNP and Labour in Scotland, and so it would be totally unacceptable, and unfair to the audience, to exclude the party that is actually leading the polls in Scotland.

“The broadcasters must meet their obligations to audiences across the UK – and that means that any debate broadcast in Scotland must include Alex Salmond.

“We are obviously prepared to be flexible about options for the format, but the broadcasters’ public service obligations require them to be fair to their audiences in Scotland, and indeed Wales and Northern Ireland – there are five parties in devolved government across the UK today, only one of which is Labour, and none of which are Conservative or Liberal Democrat.”