THE Scottish Greens have said voters will “only get half the story” if they are excluded from tonight’s STV leaders debate.
The party has demanded they are included in the programme, which will feature the leaders of the SNP, the Tories, Labour and the LibDems.
While the LibDems are a smaller party than the Greens in Holyrood, they saw four MPs elected to Westminster in 2019 while the Greens had none.
On this basis, they have been excluded from tonight’s STV leaders debate.
Greens MSP Ross Greer (below) has written to the broadcaster setting out the arguments for including the party.
Now he has said there is still time for STV to “do the right thing” and invite party co-leaders, Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater.
Greer said: “On so many issues tonight, STV viewers will only get half the story.
“When it comes to how we protect our climate, create jobs in the green economy or eradicate child poverty, the Scottish Greens have a positive and unique vision which many people share but which they will not get the chance to hear.”
He added: “Even at this late hour, STV can do the right thing and invite our co-leaders. The Scottish Greens have been a permanent presence in Scottish politics for 25 years, including recently as a party delivering big changes in government, like abolishing peak time rail fares and lifting a hundred thousand children out of poverty.
“We should be allowed to defend that record and share our bold, progressive vision with the people of Scotland.”
The programme will see Scottish party leaders John Swinney (above), Douglas Ross, Anas Sarwar and Alex Cole-Hamilton face off in a 90-minute debate from 9pm.
None of the four are standing in the upcoming General Election. Ross, who had served as the MP for Moray, has stepped down to focus his efforts in Holyrood.
The BBC will broadcast a Scottish leaders debate later this month, featuring the heads of the SNP, the Conservatives, Labour, the LibDems and the Greens.
A spokesperson for STV said: "Under the terms of our licences, STV’s programmes must comply with the Ofcom Broadcast Code and its rules around due impartiality.
"We are comfortable that our election coverage, including the leaders’ debate, meets these guidelines.”
