Email Jury

Have a TV debate 
in Scotland

By Steve Finan

IT was almost a hung jury this week as Sunday Post readers told us whether they think SNP leader Alex Salmond should be involved in the TV debates before the general election.

Of the hundreds who responded to our email question, half said the SNP should be included in the debates which will feature Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg.

There were 45 per cent against the idea and five per cent didn’t give an opinion one way or the other.

As we’ve come to expect from our readers, their answers included good helpings of common sense.

Many reckoned Scotland should be given a programme of its own, which would include Mr Salmond along with Messrs Brown, Cameron and Clegg.

Come north

Judi Martin, of Maryculter in Aberdeenshire, said, “Couldn’t the three party leaders come north of the Border and have a Question Time-style debate with the SNP leader?”

Heather Walinck, of Broxburn, was of similar mind. “There should be a separate debate in Scotland where the SNP should have a voice.”

Kennedy Sloan, of Kingston-Upon-Hull, said, “These debates should be regional, thus no argument. Northern Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland would then each have their own.”

“If the debate was going out to a Scottish audience only, then of course the SNP must be included,” reasoned Robert Smith, of Aberdeen. Although he also said, “The SNP have only seven MPs at Westminster so they are an irrelevance in the greater scheme of things.”

There were, of course, vehement opinions on either side of the debate.

Insult

Isabel Farmer of Tillicoultry said, “There are three major parties in England but four in Scotland. If the three main leaders wish to have a debate for English voters that’s fine.

“But if they want Scots to vote for them then they should have a head-to-head with Alex Salmond. To disrespect Scottish voters like this is an insult.”

William Ross, of Glasgow, said, “Why should the three unionist parties have a monopoly on TV? The SNP have won the last two elections (Scottish and European), in Scotland. It’s a slap in the face for the people of Scotland.”

But others were of a different opinion.

“Hurray! I don’t have to listen to Alex Salmond telling more lies,” said Gavin Elder of Peterhead.

Brian Fleming, of Forfar, was equally scathing. “I think it’s right to exclude the SNP. Alex Salmond is too full of his own importance and would cause more damage to Scotland.”

Ian Middleton of Alexandria isn’t a fan either. “The SNP is only a minor party. If Alex Salmond was to be included, then even the Monster Raving Loony Party should be included. His views are not of interest to the majority of people in the UK.”

Disagreed

Even people from the same town couldn’t agree. “It’s right to exclude Salmond because every time he opens his mouth he puts his foot in it”, said Wilma Allday of Dunfermline.

But Steven Kelly, also from the Fife town, reckoned, “It’s dead wrong. The SNP are represented in the Commons, so should have their chance to speak. Give Eck his day.”

Some rose above the argument. “I can see both sides,” said Sandra Goldie of Tillicoultry. “As he isn’t seeking election to Westminster, I can understand him not being included. He doesn’t have a manifesto for the UK parliament. On the other hand, there are SNP candidates and he’s leader of the SNP. Whether he would have a contribution to make depends on the questions asked.” 

The jury held sharply divided opinions on Alex Salmond’s qualities as a politician.

“That clown who leads the SNP is an embarrassment to the country,” said Jim Peters of Forfar. “Can you imagine Salmond in a head-to-head with anyone with a modicum of common sense? He’d end up making a fool of himself and God knows how many Scots.”

Scared 

But David Meiklejohn, of Bishopton, reckoned, “Alex Salmond is a fantastic politician trying to do what’s best for Scotland. Brown, Cameron and Clegg are scared to get in the same arena as him.”

Several respondents professed to not being SNP supporters but felt, in the spirit of fair play, the nationalists should be allowed their say. “While I don’t agree with the SNP or their policies they surely have the right to be included, otherwise we’re not a democratic country with free speech,” said Clifford Chambers, of Blackpool.

Carol Biggins, of Cupar, didn’t say what party she supported, but did make a point about manners, “It’s only polite and courteous he is invited.”

Maurice Ferguson, of Melrose, had a point that many shared. “For a fairer representation of the country as a whole, Mr Salmond as well as the leaders of the Welsh and Northern Ireland parties should be included, otherwise it appears only as an English debate.”

“Mini parties”

But Eleanor Stewart, of Edinburgh, said, “If Mr Salmond was included then other mini parties would have to be there too — Welsh nationalists, Northern Irish parties and even the occasional independent MP. The debates will be long enough — imagine that lot spouting on and on, it would be terminally boring!”

There was little consensus on what the SNP’s status as a party was. “They may kid themselves, but the SNP are not involved in British politics like the big three. UKIP, BNP, and the other fringe lot won’t be there, so why the SNP?” said Ian Wheeler, of Springfield, Fife, a view opposed by Victoria McNamara, of Dumfries, who said, “Unbelievable that the Scottish National Party are lumped into a group of ‘others’ that include UKIP and BNP.” 

Dave Dixon, of Newcastle, had a solution — more people reading The Sunday Post. He said, “The big difficulty with having Mr Salmond on is that most people in England — apart from those of us sensible enough to read The Sunday Post — won’t know what he’s talking about when putting across the Scottish point of view.”