Greens 'Should Be In Tv Debates'

More than 10,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the Scottish Green Party to be included in a TV debate between Scotland's political leaders a month before the general election. Broadcaster STV confirmed this week that it will screen a debate between First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, Labour leader north of the border Jim Murphy, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and Willie Rennie, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. With the Greens left out, party co-convener Patrick Harvie said they could consult lawyers over a possible legal challenge to the debate - which is to take place in the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh on Tuesday April 7. A petition was launched on the party's website and has now received more than 10,000 signatures. The politicians taking part in the programme have all backed the inclusion of the Greens. The First Minister tweeted yesterday: For the record, I agree that Patrick Harvie should be included in Scottish general election debates.'' The Greens have seen party membership increase to more than 8,500 after the referendum, with party leaders saying this gives them a bigger membership than the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Mr Harvie said:This groundswell of support across Scotland shows that there is a clear demand for the Greens to be included in the debate. These past two years have seen high-quality, enjoyable televised debates, with STV often hosting the best of them and with the Greens regularly given a platform. The public clearly expect this diversity of vision to continue being on offer, if only for them as voters to give us the scrutiny we all deserve.We are also grateful for the messages of support from the leaders of Scotland's four other major parties. Their statements add considerable weight to the call by over 10,000 members of the public for STV to reconsider and extend an invitation to the Greens. Taking legal action is not our preferred option but it is one we will have to keep open unless the broadcaster reconsiders their position.'' Labour leader Mr Murphy has written to the broadcaster urging the participation of the Greens. He said:I have been asked by Patrick Harvie MSP to support their bid to take part in the debate and am now formally asking you to reconsider your earlier decision to exclude them and invite the Green Party to participate. The Scottish Greens have had a presence in the Scottish Parliament since its inception in 1999 and the Scottish public are entitled to hear from their leader about their policies for the General Election.'' Further televised debates are expected to be staged by BBC Scotland in the build up to the election on May 7.