THE Scottish Greens have attacked STV’s decision not to include them in the Scottish live televised debate ahead of the general election.
The broadcaster yesterday announced the four-way debate between Nicola Sturgeon, Jim Murphy, Ruth Davidson and Willie Rennie on April 7.
Green MSP Patrick Harvie argued that STV needed to reconsider, saying: “During the referendum campaign the Scottish Greens played a prominent role, appearing regularly in televised debates and discussions, perhaps most notably at the STV debate at the Assembly Rooms.
“In the context of a post-referendum election, with a politically engaged electorate and a decline in support for two or three parties, it is clear that a broadcaster not reflecting a broader range of voices will not meet the expectations of its audience.
“I know our many members will be disappointed and our wider support will be calling for STV to rethink their unfair approach. We have the option of consulting lawyers about a challenge.”
The Greens have been invited to take part in two of the UK-wide debates. Although in Scotland the party only has two MSPs, in the wake of the referendum it attracted thousands of new members. The party say that with 8,500 members in Scotland they have around the same grassroots support as the Labour Party and significantly more than the Liberal Democrats.
A petition urging STV to include the Greens had 2,000 signatures at the time of going to press.
Ukip’s David Coburn has also demanded the opportunity to take part.
The debate will take place in the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh and will be the first time that Sturgeon, Davidson and Rennie have debated on live TV with Scottish Labour leader Murphy.
The broadcaster’s political editor Bernard Ponsonby will chair the debate.
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