4/3/2010

Plaid Cymru is to review its support of the BBC licence fee after the party was left out of the forthcoming TV leaders' debates.

Together with the Scottish National Party, Plaid today complained of a stitch-up between the London based BBC management and the London parties which has
disenfranchised voters in three countries.

The Plaid Cymru and SNP Westminster Parliamentary Group convened a meeting this morning to discuss General Election plans by broadcasters which they say will give unfair and unbalanced coverage to the London parties.

They agreed to begin a review of SNP and Plaid Cymru broadcasting policy which has historically supported the continuation of the BBC licence fee.

Plaid's Westminster Leader Elfyn Llwyd MP said: "The joint Plaid Cymru and SNP parliamentary group work closely in the UK Parliament, speaking up for the interests of the people of Wales and Scotland which are often ignored by the UK Government.

"This morning we met to discuss the unfair treatment of Welsh and Scottish license fee payers who are being denied the opportunity by the public broadcaster to hear from their respective national parties in these set piece leaders debates.

"It is unacceptable for the people of Wales and Scotland to be short-changed in this way and for the leaders of London parties to be given an additional 90 minutes of prime time exposure.

"Canada's state broadcaster, CBC, manages to achieve balance across five parties and two languages. It is deeply disappointing the BBC currently lacks to ambition to even try."