Scottish TV debates revealed

The BBC has announced it will join STV in hosting debates between the political party leaders in Scotland in the lead up to the General Election.

The broadcaster will stage two debates, one on 8 April which will include representatives of the Scottish Greens and UKIP, and a second on 3 May only between the parties Ofcom ruled as “major parties” in Scotland: The SNP, Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

Rival STV will hold its leaders’ debate on 7 April and has been criticised for not featuring the Scottish Greens.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie have all said the Greens should be included in the debates, and several MSPs from across the political divide have signed a Scottish Green parliamentary motion calling for their inclusion.

Patrick Harvie MSP, Co-convener of the Scottish Greens, said the BBC’s announcement showed STV were “out of step” and said all parties represented at Holyrood should be included.

“The huge support we've had from the public and across the political spectrum shows that a broadcaster excluding the Scottish Greens is out of touch with its audience. We will continue to make the case for inclusion in all TV debates in Scotland. It's essential that voters get to hear a broad range of voices," he said.

Comment: The debate over TV debates may be a waste of time