SNP APPEAL BREAKS HALF WAY POINT AS LABOUR COMPLAIN ABOUT DEBATES

SNP APPEAL BREAKS HALF WAY POINT AS LABOUR COMPLAIN ABOUT DEBATES

OVER £26,000 RAISED IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS

The SNP’s appeal to raise £50,000 by midnight on Monday in order to fund
an action at the Court of Session to ensure Scottish interests are
properly represented in the final leaders’ debate this week has passed the
half way point.

The campaign’s success in raising £26,057.83 by half past five on Sunday
afternoon comes as a leaked letter shows Labour seeking to change the
final debate and the broadcasting coverage of the last ten days of the
election.

Commenting on Labour’s proposed letter to broadcasters in which they state
that the debate is damaging coverage of the election the SNP urged the
party to accept the inclusion of the SNP or to drop out of the debate.
SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson said:

“The SNP is committed to seeing fairness across this election. That is
why we have launched a campaign to raise funds for a legal challenge to
the BBC’s undemocratic decision to exclude the parties of Scotland and
Wales from their set piece debates.

“So far, through two debates, viewers in Scotland have been misled over
the political choices they face as the parties of Government in Scotland
and Wales have been excluded from the debate.

“Labour’s sudden efforts to change the debate and the TV coverage around
it are simply a case of sour grapes. It is ironic that one of the party’s
responsible for cutting Scotland out of the debate is now complaining
about the news coverage around the debate.

“The SNP has argued from the start, that while we want the debates to
proceed they must be fair and must ensure that all the options facing the
Scottish people are set out before them. Now the debates are not going in
Labour's favour, perhaps they will see the value

SNP Depute Leader Nicola Sturgeon said:

“This appeal has got off to a great start and we are hugely grateful to
all those who have donated. Donations through the SNP website had reached
£10,025 by 9am and hit £15,000 by the end of the Sky Scottish debate at
midday.

“Everyone can play a part in this campaign to ensure fairness for Scotland
and Scotland’s voters in these debates. From £1 to £100 and more, every
donation will be put to use as we try to win a fair place for Scotland in
this general election.

“There is still a day to go to raise the funds and I urge everyone with an
interest in seeing a fair debate across all the nations of the UK to visit
our website, to pick up the phone and offer their support to help us fight
for fairness.”