PUBLIC WANT TO GIVE SCOTLAND A VOICE IN TV DEBATES

PUBLIC WANT TO GIVE SCOTLAND A VOICE IN TV DEBATES

SNP REGAINS POLL LEAD

A YouGov poll commissioned by the Scottish National Party shows that the vast majority of Scots disagree with the London-based broadcasters excluding the SNP from televised leaders’ debates.

The exclusion of the SNP from three proposed leaders’ debates by the BBC, ITN and Sky will leave Scotland and Scottish issues unrepresented – while opposition parties debate issues that will have no impact on Scots voters.

The poll of 1,013 Scottish adults on the 12th and 13th January asked voters if they agreed or disagreed with the following statement: “The televised leaders’ debates due to take place in advance of the election should NOT include the leader of the Scottish National Party.”

* 59% of respondents disagreed with excluding the leader of the SNP, endorsing the argument that excluding the SNP from debates that are broadcast in Scotland is unfair to Scottish voters. Only 31% agreed – a majority of some two-to-one.

* The poll also found that 62% of Scots believe that the SNP should get the same level of TV coverage as the London-based parties (another 9% think the SNP should get more coverage).

* Finally, the poll shows that the SNP have regained a lead over Labour for Scottish Parliament voting intentions – with higher support than when we won the election in 2007. Only the constituency question was asked in this poll, showing a 3-point lead over Labour at 35% to 32%. The last YouGov poll – for the Daily Telegraph in November 2009 – gave Labour a one-point lead over the SNP (Labour 33% to SNP 32%).

Commenting on the poll, the SNP’s Westminster Campaign Co-ordinator Stewart Hosie MP said:

“This is a hugely significant poll, because it reinforces the need for Scotland to be treated fairly by the broadcasters in the General Election. By a thumping two-to-one majority, people in Scotland believe it is right that Alex Salmond as SNP leader is included in the proposed televised election debates, along with leaders of the London-based parties.

“The SNP are the only party that can and will champion Scotland’s local and national interests. Without the SNP in these TV debates, Scotland and Scottish voters will be ignored. That is exactly why the vast majority of Scots believe that the SNP must get an equal amount of airtime as the London parties.

“The poll also shows that the SNP have regained the lead in Scotland – with more support now than when we won the Scottish Parliament election in 2007. SNP ratings have increased, while Labour have fallen back compared to the equivalent poll last November, which is a fantastic boost as we prepare to champion Scotland’s interests in the General Election campaign.”

YouGov / SNP (12th-13th January), 1013 Scottish adults

1. The televised leaders’ debates due to take place in advance of the election should NOT include the leader of the Scottish National Party:

Strongly Agree: 16
Ten to agree: 15
Total Agree: 31
Tend to disagree: 21
Strongly disagree: 38
Total Disagree: 59
Don’t Know: 10

2. Do you think the SNP should get more, less or the same amount of coverage on TV in Scotland as the main UK political parties in the run up to the next UK general election?
More Coverage: 9%
The Same Coverage: 62%
Less Coverage: 22%
Don’t Know: 7%

3. Scottish Constituency Vote (compared Nov 09 YouGov/Daily Telegraph YouGov poll)
SNP: 35% (+3)
Labour: 32% (-1)
Con: 14% (-4)
LD: 13% (+1)
Oth: 7% (+1)