SNP & Labour call for Greens’ TV debate inclusion

NICOLA Sturgeon and Jim Murphy have called for the Scottish Greens to be included in the STV general election debate, after the broadcaster excluded the party from the televised clash.
Patrick Harvie is considering legal action against STV. Picture: Greg MacveanPatrick Harvie is considering legal action against STV. Picture: Greg Macvean
Patrick Harvie is considering legal action against STV. Picture: Greg Macvean

The SNP and Labour leaders both said the pro-independence Greens should be invited to debate with them, as well as Ruth Davidson and Willie Rennie for the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats respectively.

Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie is considering legal action after the SNP, Labour, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats were signed up to the event on Tuesday 7 April by STV, which failed to invite his party.

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Ms Sturgeon, in a posting on social networking site Twitter, stated: “For the record, I agree that @patrickharvie should be included in Scottish #GE15 debates.”

Mr Murphy, adding his voice to the call for Green Party involvement in the debate, said: ”I am happy to debate with anyone about Labour’s policies to make Scotland a fairer country.

The Greens have their point of view and it deserves to be heard.

“At the end of the day it is up to the broadcasters to decide who they invite and I’ll happily debate against whoever they decide to put against me.

“There’s still time for STV to reconsider, which I hope they will do.”

STV has said the debate will include all the major parties in Scotland as defined by communications regulator Ofcom.

In a British context, the major parties are defined as the Conservatives, Labour and the Lib Dems. In Scotland, the SNP is added to that list.

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