YouGov Poll: 63% back inclusion of Greens in TV debates.

YOUGOV POLL: 63% BACK INCLUSION OF GREENS IN TV DEBATES

The Scottish Greens today released the results of a YouGov poll
conducted for the party over the weekend, indicating almost three to
one support for the TV debates that start tomorrow to include the
Scottish Greens alongside the four other parties represented in
Holyrood's last session. (1)

Eleanor Scott, the Greens' Co-convenor, said:

"Elections are meant to be about democracy, and there's no excuse for
our broadcasters to ignore the will of the people and choose the
parties they want to promote. There were five parties elected to the
last Parliament, and any of those five could be called upon to take
part in Scotland's next government. If nothing else, Greens deserve to
be scrutinised and tested just like the other parties.

"The BBC and STV must respect the democratic voice of the Scottish
people. Today's overwhelming poll result shows how out of touch they
risk being if they persist in excluding Green voices from these
debates. Time is tight, but there's still time for them to think
again. It shouldn't be too hard to pull a fifth chair into the studio
for Tuesday evening's debate, and I've asked Patrick Harvie to make
sure he's available."

Eleanor Scott also wrote last week to the leaders of the four parties
currently included, (2) and received the following responses.

John Park, Labour's Election Co-ordinator, said:

"I have great sympathy with your predicament. While we do respect the
right of independent broadcasters to make editorial decisions, we are
broadly supportive of your position for two reasons. First, the long
history of election debates in Scotland makes the situation
significantly different to the recent prime ministerial debates in the
general election. Where those debates were focused on the candidates
aspiring to be the Prime Minister, the Scottish election debates have
for many decades been focused on the parties standing for election to
what is now a pluralist legislature. Second, I note that, unlike at
the general election, there has been no substantive discussion with
the political parties in Scotland around these debates. This is much
regretted."

A spokesperson for the Scottish Conservatives said:

"Annabel is relaxed about who she debates against - however it is a
matter for the broadcasters to decide who to invite to the TV debates
and it should be noted that only 4 parties are fielding candidates in
every seat in this election."

Notes

1. YouGov polled 1025 Scottish adults about this decision between the
25th and the 28th of March 2011. The question asked was as follows:

The leaders of four out of the five parties in the Scottish Parliament
are due to take part in TV debates in the run up to the election, but
the broadcasters have not offered a place to the fifth party, the
Scottish Greens. Which of these statements comes closest to your
views?

The Scottish Greens should be included in the TV debates: 63%
The Scottish Greens should not be included in the TV debates: 22%
Don't know: 15%

2. A copy of the letter is available on request.

3. The letter from John Park is available here:
http://scot.gr/labourdebates

James Mackenzie
Head of Media
Scottish Green Party
Mob: 07921 333 617
james.mackenzie@scottishgreens.org.uk