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| Cameron: If Greens aren't in TV debates, I won't be either | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| David Cameron has reportedly said that he does not want to take part in planned TV debates ahead of the general election if the Green Party excluded. | |
| The Greens had reacted angrily earlier today after Ofcom ruled they did not have enough support to be treated by broadcasters as a “major party” at this year’s general election. | |
| Mr Cameron is "quite happy for there to be no debates at all" according to the BBC. | |
| Qualifying for "major party" status would increase the number of political broadcasts the Greens could make during the campaign, as well as guaranteeing coverage on television and radio bulletins. | Qualifying for "major party" status would increase the number of political broadcasts the Greens could make during the campaign, as well as guaranteeing coverage on television and radio bulletins. |
| The broadcast regulator’s decision will also undermine the party’s demands to be included in any televised leaders’ debates in the run-up to 7 May. | The broadcast regulator’s decision will also undermine the party’s demands to be included in any televised leaders’ debates in the run-up to 7 May. |
| Ofcom said it believed Ukip, which topped the poll in last year’s Euro-elections and won two parliamentary by-elections, should be added to the major party list. | Ofcom said it believed Ukip, which topped the poll in last year’s Euro-elections and won two parliamentary by-elections, should be added to the major party list. |
| However, its initial view was that the Green Party, including the Scottish Greens, had not “secured sufficient support in previous elections and current opinion polls” to be included. Its decision will now go out to consultation. | However, its initial view was that the Green Party, including the Scottish Greens, had not “secured sufficient support in previous elections and current opinion polls” to be included. Its decision will now go out to consultation. |
| The party leader, Natalie Bennett, said the “deeply disappointing” draft ruling risked damaging British democracy. | The party leader, Natalie Bennett, said the “deeply disappointing” draft ruling risked damaging British democracy. |
| “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. |
| “Ofcom should not be making that option harder to find, but ensuring voters have the chance to hear and judge the full range of political options today. | “Ofcom should not be making that option harder to find, but ensuring 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.” | “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.” |
| The Greens, who are defending one parliamentary seat and are aiming to win two more, are currently averaging around seven per cent in the polls. A handful of surveys have put them ahead of the Liberal Democrats in support. | The Greens, who are defending one parliamentary seat and are aiming to win two more, are currently averaging around seven per cent in the polls. A handful of surveys have put them ahead of the Liberal Democrats in support. |
| The political parties and broadcasters are still wrangling over the format of any debates. | The political parties and broadcasters are still wrangling over the format of any debates. |
| The BBC, ITV and Sky News have proposed three debates – one between David Cameron and Ed Miliband; one in which they are joined by Nick Clegg; and a four-way debate including Ukip leader Nigel Farage. | The BBC, ITV and Sky News have proposed three debates – one between David Cameron and Ed Miliband; one in which they are joined by Nick Clegg; and a four-way debate including Ukip leader Nigel Farage. |
| The Green Party has reacted furiously to the potential exclusion of Ms Bennett and has gathered more than 275,000 signatures in a petition backing their case. | The Green Party has reacted furiously to the potential exclusion of Ms Bennett and has gathered more than 275,000 signatures in a petition backing their case. |
| Mr Cameron has said he believes the Greens should be included, which Labour and the Lib Dems suspect is a ruse for scuppering the debates. | Mr Cameron has said he believes the Greens should be included, which Labour and the Lib Dems suspect is a ruse for scuppering the debates. |