WE’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO SPEAK UP FOR SCOTLAND IN TV LEADERS’ DEBATE

WE’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO SPEAK UP FOR SCOTLAND IN TV LEADERS’ DEBATE

NO REAL ELECTION DEBATE WITHOUT THE SNP

SNP conference has today (Thursday) backed a topical motion supporting broadcasters plans for party leaders debates in the run up to the General Election, as well as calling for guarantees that Scotland’s governing party would be given full and equal participation in any broadcast screened in Scotland.

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson 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. It would be totally unacceptable, and unfair, to Scottish voters to exclude the party that is actually in government and leading the polls in Scotland.

“These debates are an important part of the arrangements we have to ensure that people can access as much information as possible in preparing to cast their ballot.”

“The broadcasters are to be congratulated for putting these debates on the agenda and must meet their public-service obligations to audiences across the UK. We are prepared to be fair and flexible about options for the format, but the party of government in Scotland must, as a matter of principle and good democratic practice, be included in any UK-wide debates.”

Central Scotland MSP Jamie Hepburn added:

“The SNP are seeking to have a substantial influence at Westminster by electing a block of 20 or more MPs, with obvious UK-wide political implications – not least given the perfectly possible outcome of a hung parliament and tight arithmetic.

“And on a range of issues which will loom large in the general election campaign, the SNP has a distinctive as well as compelling policy position. For example, while the London-based parties will debate whether there should be three or four Trident nuclear weapon submarines on the River Clyde, the SNP will be arguing for none – a position backed by the Scots parliament, as well as a majority of Scottish Westminster MPs.

“In other words, both from the Scottish and UK perspectives, the governing parties of Scotland and indeed Wales cannot have our voices silenced by rigged debates. It is the SNP which has what it takes to speak up for Scotland in televised leader debates."