SNP and Greens are not major parties across UK, says Ofcom

The SNP has criticised the suggestion that it should not be considered a major party in the UK, following a publication from Ofcom which will inform the share of TV time given to political parties in the run up to the General Election.

And while Ukip may qualify for ‘major party’ status across the UK - entitling it to at least two party election broadcasts in the run-up to the election - the Green Party does not, according to the regulator’s publication, which is currently open to consultation.

But although Ukip are not considered a major force in Scotland, the party’s broadcasts from England and Wales will still be received north of the border.

SNP MP Angus Robertson said: “Ofcom's decision to include UKIP over the SNP is simply wrong, and represents a failure to keep abreast of developments since the referendum.

“The recognition of the SNP as a party of majority government and the UK’s third largest political party is key in ensuring fair coverage for the general election - and our exclusion should be unacceptable to any democrat, as it simply wouldn’t reflect the reality of politics across the UK today.

“Current Westminster voting intentions put the SNP in the lead in Scotland, and it is clearly wrong that the third biggest political party in the UK should be denied fair representation.”

Despite having the third biggest membership in Britain, the SNP’s status is limited to Scotland because the party does not field candidates across the UK. But while the SNP will not be classed as a ‘major party’ on a UK level, it will be given time on Scotland-only broadcasters such as STV.

The publication says: “In news and current affairs election programming that focuses on the elections across Great Britain in just one nation of the UK, the list of major parties requires broadcasters to give appropriate coverage to those major parties that field candidates in that one nation.”

Patrick Harvie MSP, co-convener of the Scottish Greens, called the move ‘ill-considered’.

He said: “Ofcom's proposal, which would lead to further elevation of Ukip in UK-wide TV coverage while excluding the Greens, would undoubtedly skew the range of voices Scottish voters hear.

“It's clear we're heading for an election like no other, with a huge public appetite for a wider range of views and a changed political landscape in Scotland. The electorate here is more engaged than ever; Ofcom's ill-considered proposal wouldn't reflect this on our screens.

“Greens across the UK are enjoying a membership surge, are regularly outpolling the Libdems and we will continue to make the case for inclusion in set piece TV debates and wider media coverage, both at UK level and here in Scotland.”

The media regulator assesses a party’s status based on “previous electoral performance, including an analysis of share of vote alongside seats won, and current opinion polling data.”

On the Greens, it says: “The party has not demonstrated significant past electoral support in General Elections. The Green Party has performed better in some other forms of election, such as the 2014 European Parliamentary elections, obtaining 8.0% and 8.1% of the vote in England and Scotland.

“In terms of evidence of current support, the party’s opinion poll rating in Great Britain-wide polls has increased in recent months to 5.9% in December 2014 (4.0% on average during 2014).”

Meanwhile, though Ofcom recognised that Scottish polling shows lower levels of current support for Ukip, it pointed to evidence that the party has the third highest rating after the Conservative and Labour parties in England and Wales.

The consultation says: “UKIP has not demonstrated significant past electoral support in previous General Elections, achieving 3.5% of the vote in 2010 and has not won a Parliamentary seat at a General Election.

“UKIP’s performance in a number of other significant forms of election has, however, been stronger. Notably, UKIP has won two seats in Parliament at recent by-elections.

“UKIP demonstrated a significant level of support in England and Wales in the European Parliament elections in 2014 (29.2% England, 27.6% Wales) while its share of the vote was lower in Scotland (10.5%). UKIP also demonstrated significant levels of support in the English local elections (15.7% in 2014 and 19.9% in 2013).”