Green Party invited to join election TV debates under new plans

 
TV debates: Natalie Bennett of the Green Party is set to be included, as well as the SNP and Plaid Cymru (Picture: EPA)
Standard Reporter23 January 2015
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Broadcasters have drawn up revised plans to put forward new proposals for the TV debates which would include the SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Greens.

It comes after David Cameron said he would not take part without the Green Party.

The change has been designed to overcome the Prime Minister’s refusal to take part in any debate that included Ukip's Nigel Farage but not Natalie Bennett of the Green Party.

But the Liberal Democrats made clear that they remained opposed to their exclusion from a third debate which would see David Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband go head to head, insisting they must be allowed to "defend our record" as a party of government.

And Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) - which is the fourth-largest party in the Commons with eight MPs - said it was "ludicrous" for it not to be invited when Scottish and Welsh nationalists would be able to make their pitch on-screen.

Broadcasters had suggested three debates: one head to head between Mr Cameron and Mr Miliband, another also involving Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, and a third with Mr Farage thrown into the mix.

The new line-up - sent to parties following talks between TV executives - would see BBC and ITV each host a seven-way debate, with the leaders of the two main parties doing battle on another broadcast by Sky and Channel 4.

BBC director-general Tony Hall told Radio Times it made "absolute sense" to include the Greens, SNP and Plaid alongside Ukip and the established Westminster parties.

"This time round the debates are going to be more important to democracy than last time round," he said.

"I don't know anyone who can call this election; therefore the notion of hearing those who are competing for your vote being tested and testing one another is much more important than last time round."

Asked if the 7-7-2 format would secure the participation of Mr Cameron - whom rivals accuse of seeking to avoid the debates happening - a Conservative source said: "Further discussions are planned and we will obviously look at any new proposals presented by broadcasters."

A Liberal Democrat spokesman confirmed that the party had received the new proposals and indicated it remained opposed to Mr Cameron and Mr Miliband being able to go head to head without Mr Clegg.

"We have always been clear that, as a party of government, we must be able to defend our record in all the TV debates," he said.

"We will continue to make that case in our discussions with the broadcasters."

Ms Bennett - whose party attracted more than 280,000 signatures to a petition in favour of its inclusion on the back of polls showing it regularly ahead of the Lib Dems - welcomed the news.

Unlike Ukip, which last year won the European elections, took two Commons seats from the Tories and became established as the third party in national opinion polls, the Greens have not been designated a "major party" for the general election by broadcast watchdog Ofcom.

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