Margo MacDonald: Salmond right to push for BBC debate invite

Published on Wednesday 7 October 2009 10:11

ACCORDING to Alex Salmond's opponents, it's his ego that drives Scotland's First Minister's bid to join the Britain's Got Talent show alongside Strongman Gordon, Trick Cyclist Dave and Hypnotist Nick.

Maybe his opponents have a smidgeon of accuracy in their analysis; what political party leader doesn't have a bit of ego? The job would be impossible unless the holder had an above average belief in his own ability, and something of a brass neck. So his ego is not an argument against his taking part in the party leaders' debates on the BBC at the General Election.

There might be room for a slight quibble because he isn't actually standing for Westminster. There's at least an argument in favour of the SNP's Westminster leader, Moray MP Angus Robertson, being invited to join the other leaders.

David Cameron has dismissed Alex Salmond's wish to take part by saying out loud that he's not even standing to be Prime Minister. Correct. But I wonder if it's crossed David Cameron's mind that the First Minister might be the man who decides which party leader gets the keys to No 10 from amongst Gordon, Dave and Nick. Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish MPs could turn out to be the most important groups in the next Westminster parliament.

Only one thing looks a fair bet at the moment – Labour will not win. Yet it's not nearly as certain that the Tories' David Cameron is heading for the Palace. During a period when the economy demands united, unwavering support for the UK's recovery plan, Tory divisions on the growing power of the EU could make voters worry about the party's cohesion.

In England, it's not outwith the bounds of possibility that smaller parties could win a handful of seats, further undermining Tory chances of a strong enough grip on power to go it alone. There's a fair chance of a hung parliament, with the prize being in the gift of the leaders of the devolved administrations.

Perhaps the next step in the modernisation of democracy in these islands is for Westminster-based politicians to recognise that the leaders of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish legislatures should take part in the Westminster election debates. Voters could then judge which pledged combinations of parties are likely to produce the most attractive programme for government.

Another factor that shouldn't be overlooked is a fact of political life some of its creators now regret – the division of power between Westminster and the devolved areas still leaves MPs elected from them with responsibility for defence, foreign affairs and the economy.

Voters have a right to see all the possible outcomes for the policy on Afghanistan, for example, if neither Labour nor the Tories win a majority and have to do deals with the Scots, Welsh or Irish, all three or combinations of the three, depending on which parts of the defence policy were to be under discussion.

What about Trident's replacement? It is huge expenditure which we can't afford. Shouldn't voters know in advance what Labour or the Tories would do if the price of Alex Salmond's SNP support was the cancellation of Trident? Since macro-economic management and policy-making is driven from London, but can only have its effectiveness maximised if the government in Holyrood works alongside, shouldn't the basis for this co-operation be agreed or shown to be absent before people on both sides of the Border cast their votes?

The BBC is still the main means by which voters get the information they need before voting. The Corporation, with all its skewed wages and management policies is still, perhaps for the last time, the main route by which voters can communicate their wishes, priorities and criticisms to the politicians in time for them to amend their policies. As the public broadcaster, funded by public money, the BBC's duty is to inform voters of the facts and choices open to them.

That's why, ego or no ego, Alex Salmond is right to push for SNP representation. It's the BBC's job to structure the General Election debates so the leaders of the devolved governments take part in sections covering the powers reserved to Westminster, as their involvement could determine the poll's outcome.

Let's have a quiz

WHAT country has been named as the best in the world? Norway.

What reason was given for this? Off-shore oil and gas deposits, just like Scotland's. Where was the United Kingdom placed? 21st.

Which country has Obama dropped from his top group of four? The UK.

Why do some people still think Scotland has more clout and is better off with Britain?