SNP CONFERENCE CONDEMNS LEADER DEBATE PROPOSALS

SNP CONFERENCE CONDEMNS LEADER DEBATE PROPOSALS

'DOES NOT REFLECT THE CHOICES FACING SCOTTISH VOTERS'

The SNP Campaign Conference has condemned the decision by national
broadcasters to exclude the parties of Government in Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland from the three Leaders Debates which will be screened in
the run up to the General Election.

Yesterday, the SNP and Plaid Cymru wrote a joint letter to BBC Director
General putting forward proposals for a a fourth debate including the UK
leaders alongside the leaders of the SNP and Plaid Ccymru - a measure
which would restore some fairness and balance to the debates.

Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader Angus Robertson MP said:

"These so called national broadcasters have put forward proposals which
cut out three of the four nations which make up to the UK and two parties
of government. They simply do not reflect the political choices reflecting
voters in Scotland and Wales.

"The behaviour of the BBC, in particular, is shameful. They have abandoned
any pretence of being the UK’s broadcaster and breached their own Code of
Conduct by agreeing the principles of the proposed debates with the
London-based parties before even contacting the SNP.

"Along with the broadcasters, the Tories, Lib Dems and Labour are trying
to mislead the people of Scotland, silence the governing party at Holyrood
and ignore the reality of devolution.

"In Scotland 60% of voters are opposed to the exclusion of the SNP from
these election debates, yet both the broadcasters and the other parties
have simply ignored their opinion."