THE SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford said it would be "an absolute outrage" if his party was not represented at the ITV election debate on Tuesday.
Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Blackford said: "I think it would be an affront to democracy if the voice of the SNP is not heard in the debate."
He pointed out that the SNP were "the party of government" in Scotland, and that in the event of a hung Parliament in Westminster "the position of the SNP is going to be crucial".
Blackford attended a court hearing over the issue amid claims that excluding the party – and others – was a “democratic disgrace”.
Citing the broadcaster’s own research, the SNP said such debates drew in viewers who were otherwise uninterested in politics, had not made up their minds and that a third of viewers in 2015 used them to assess how a hung parliament would work and how parties would co-operate.
They challenged ITV to open up the debate to enable viewers to decide for themselves
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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