Leaders' debates debacle

Friday, March 05, 2010

Broadcasters have been accused of trying to exclude entire countries from the leaders' debates to be held in the run up to the general election, by SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson.

His comments came after the SNP and Plaid Cymru announced they were to review their entire broadcasting policy, including whether the Scots and Welsh should have to pay the licence fee.

"This debacle underlines why Scotland and Wales need a strong voice at Westminster," Robertson continued. "A stitch up between the London-based BBC management and the London parties has disenfranchised voters in three countries.

"With the cavalier attitude of London establishment continuing, we must devolve broadcasting to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly – where the interests of Scottish and Welsh license payers will be a priority, not an afterthought."

The move came after a meeting of the two parties' parliamentary groups to discuss the BBC's "arrogant and high-handed" treatment of the nationalist parties in the leaders' debates.

Nationalist politicians are described as "incandescent" with anger over their exclusion from the debates.

Plaid Cymru Westminster Leader Elfyn Llwyd MP said that Welsh and Scottish license fee payers were being denied the opportunity by the public broadcaster to hear from their respective national parties, adding: "It is unacceptable for the people of Wales and Scotland to be short-changed in this way and for the leaders of London parties to be given an additional 90 minutes of prime time exposure."