THE SNP has written to Sky News bosses demanding they include Nicola Sturgeon in a TV political leaders’ debate they are planning on the Brexit deal.
Keith Brown, the party’s depute leader, wrote to executives at the station yesterday after it emerged they were pushing for a “head-to-head” show between Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
“It is with concern and disappointment that we understand Sky News appear to be pushing to broadcast a head-to-head debate between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn,” he said.
“The Prime Minister and leader of the opposition only represent the views of a limited share of the British public on this issue. Equally the idea that this is a binary choice between a Tory hard Brexit or a Labour hard Brexit is misleading.
“As other broadcasters have noted, SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon should be a part of any live televised debate.”
He continued: “It is vital that people across the UK are able to see all of the options that are being put forward – including the SNP’s position for the whole UK to maintain membership of the customs union and single market in order to protect jobs and the economy – so all options are properly discussed and scrutinised.
“As the third party at Westminster, the second largest party across the UK in terms of membership and as the party of government in Scotland the SNP need to be represented in any leaders’ debate.”
Corbyn has said he would “relish” a TV debate with May after it emerged she is ready to go head-to-head with the opposition leader over her Brexit deal.
May was accused of “running scared” of television debates during the 2017 general election but her aides are planning a PR blitz over the next two weeks in a last-ditch attempt to win support from MPs.
The Daily Telegraph reported yesterday the Prime Minister is gearing up to take on the Labour leader ahead of a crucial Commons vote on her agreement pencilled in for December 12.
According to the paper, May wants a prime time Sunday night slot to take on Corbyn, who has branded the agreement “a miserable failure of negotiation” and vowed that Labour will vote against it.
A Labour spokesman said: “Jeremy would relish a head-to-head debate with Theresa May about her botched Brexit deal and the future of our country.”
A spokesman for Downing Street refused to confirm whether Number 10 was considering such a debate.
He told reporters yesterday: “The Prime Minister debates the leaders of the opposition parties regularly on Brexit and will be doing so in effect at 3.30pm today (when she makes her statement to the House of Commons).”
LibDems leader Sir Vince Cable demanded to be involved because neither the Tories nor Labour had called for a second Brexit referendum.
The Greens have also said they must be be included, saying any debate “must be cross-party, featuring a diverse range of voices representing every nation, as well as every stance on this deal and our relationship with the EU”. Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price tweeted: “People deserve the opportunity to hear from all the different voices on the biggest decision we will make for generations. I’m ready to make sure Wales’s voice is heard in any TV debate.”
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay said: “I know this is an issue Sky News have campaigned on and I’m sure your voice will be heard on that in the coming days.”
Another possibility is a Question Time-style session with a television audience hosted by David Dimbleby.
May is reportedly planning to travel around the UK to promote the deal European leaders agreed to on Sunday, setting out what she sees as the advantages of the deal.
She is also expected to make a speech on December 11, the day before MPs are expected to vote on the deal. She faces a battle to get approval from MPs, with stiff opposition from all sides of the house, even from at least 80 of her own backbenchers.
Sky News did not respond to The National’s request for a comment.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel