SNP AND PLAID CYMRU PROPOSE MEASURES TO BBC

SNP AND PLAID CYMRU PROPOSE MEASURES TO BBC

IF CORPORATION WON’T MAKE SCOTLAND AND WALES HEARD, PARTIES WILL

The leaders of the SNP and Plaid Cymru have written a joint letter to the
BBC proposing two measures which would redress the imbalance created by
the current plans for a leaders debate in the run up to the General
Election.

In a letter to BBC Director General Mark Thompson, SNP Leader Alex Salmond
MSP and Plaid Cymru Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones AM set out two proposals to
ensure the choices facing voters in Scotland and Wales are more accurately
reflected.

In the letter to BBC Director General Mark Thompson, Mr Salmond and Mr
Jones write:

“While we believe that it is the responsibility of the BBC, as national
broadcaster for Scotland and Wales, to find a fair format for the debates
and ensure impartial coverage of the election campaign as a whole, in
order to move forward, the SNP and Plaid Cymru would like to offer two
constructive proposals for your consideration.

The first proposal is essentially one whereby both of us would share a
platform with the UK leaders of Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal
Democrats and be given the opportunity to answer an agreed number of
questions. We believe that this would be both proportionate and fair.

The second proposal has already been mentioned in our meetings with your
colleagues and relates to the holding of a fourth election debate with the
five party leaders included.

This fourth debate would:
•Follow the current format and timing agreed by the three parties already
involved in the negotiations
•Include the leaders of the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats,
Plaid Cymru and the SNP
•Take place in Wales or Scotland
•Address topics of relevance to viewers in Scotland and Wales including
political priorities in a balanced parliament.

Commenting, Mr Salmond said:

"By cutting out three of the four nations which make up the UK and two
parties of government, the BBC have totally failed to accurately present the
choices facing voters at the upcoming General Election.

"Since the Corporation have so far failed to put forward constructive
proposals for redressing the balance, the SNP and Plaid Cymru have taken
this step.”

Mr Jones added:

“The BBC’s fixation on the London parties shows a depressingly
metropolitan mindset. They simply must find a way to accommodate the
choices facing voters in Scotland and Wales.”