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Greens should not have major party status, says Ofcom Greens are 'not a major party', suggests Ofcom
(35 minutes later)
The Green Party will not qualify for "major party" status at the general election, according to an initial consultation from Ofcom. The Green Party says it is "deeply disappointed" by an Ofcom consultation suggesting it does not have "major party status".
The broadcast regulator's decision is a blow to the party's bid to be included in the TV election leader debates.The broadcast regulator's decision is a blow to the party's bid to be included in the TV election leader debates.
Green party leader Natalie Bennett said she was "deeply disappointed" by the news. Green Party leader Natalie Bennett said Ofcom was ignoring the Greens' strong support in sections of the community.
The broadcasters' initial debate plans do not include the Greens, who are threatening legal action. Ofcom said the party had not demonstrated significant support in previous general elections.
At the moment Ofcom's list includes the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats across great Britain, the SNP in Scotland and Plaid Cymru in Wales. At the moment Ofcom's list includes the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats across Great Britain, the SNP in Scotland and Plaid Cymru in Wales.
In Northern Ireland, the major parties are the Alliance Party; the Democratic Unionist Party; Sinn Fein; the Social Democratic and Labour Party; and the Ulster Unionist Party. In Northern Ireland, the major parties are the Alliance Party, the Democratic Unionist Party, Sinn Fein, the Social Democratic and Labour Party and the Ulster Unionist Party.
The regulator is seeking views on whether others should be included in their lists - and says it thinks UKIP will do so across Great Britain - with a final decision due in March.The regulator is seeking views on whether others should be included in their lists - and says it thinks UKIP will do so across Great Britain - with a final decision due in March.
Its initial view is that the Green Party has "not demonstrated significant past electoral support in general elections".Its initial view is that the Green Party has "not demonstrated significant past electoral support in general elections".
"Deeply disappointed""Deeply disappointed"
If UKIP was included it would be the first time this has been the case at a general election campaign. Ofcom pointed to the "significant support" for UKIP in the 2014 European and local elections and to the party's two parliamentary by-election victories.If UKIP was included it would be the first time this has been the case at a general election campaign. Ofcom pointed to the "significant support" for UKIP in the 2014 European and local elections and to the party's two parliamentary by-election victories.
Major parties get at least two party election broadcasts during the campaign and the BBC, ITV, Sky and Channel 4 have proposed three leaders' debates with combinations of David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage. The BBC, ITV, Sky and Channel 4 have proposed three leaders' debates with combinations of David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage. The Greens, who are not included in the broadcasters' initial plans, are threatening legal action.
Green Party leader Natalie Bennett said she was "deeply disappointed" by the draft Ofcom ruling.Green Party leader Natalie Bennett said she was "deeply disappointed" by the draft Ofcom ruling.
"The media regulator has failed to grasp the fast-moving, fluid state of British politics today, and that fact that voters are seeking out the choice of real change." "The media regulator has failed to grasp the fast-moving, fluid state of British politics today, and that fact that voters are seeking out the choice of real change," she said.
"Ofcom should not be making that option harder to find, but ensuring that voters have the chance to hear and judge the full range of political options today," she said. "Ofcom should not be making that option harder to find, but ensuring that voters have the chance to hear and judge the full range of political options today.
"It is also important to note how Ofcom is ignoring the strong support for the Green Party in particular sections of the community, particularly the young and students. Their engagement in the political process is vital for the future, and they will rightly expect to hear their views represented and explored in the mainstream media.""It is also important to note how Ofcom is ignoring the strong support for the Green Party in particular sections of the community, particularly the young and students. Their engagement in the political process is vital for the future, and they will rightly expect to hear their views represented and explored in the mainstream media."
Ofcom also considered and rejected the idea of giving the Northern Ireland's TUV party major status. Ofcom also considered and rejected the idea of recommending major party status for Northern Ireland's TUV party.