In September, MK made representations to the Broadcasters’ Liaison Group concerning the criteria for party political broadcasts at the next General Election. The BBC has now published its draft criteria.
It does not look good for MK. The draft states that a “registered political party which stands candidates in a minimum of one sixth of the seats up for election in a nation will qualify for one PEB in that nations.”
But this means that:
“In England, a political party will qualify for one PEB if it stands in a minimum of 89 seats.
“In Scotland, a political party will qualify for one PEB if it stands in a minimum of 10 seats.
“In Wales, a political party will qualify for one PEB if it stands in a minimum of 7 seats.
“In Northern Ireland, a political party will qualify for one PEB if it stands in a minimum of 3 seats.”
Mebyon Kernow will be standing in all six seats in the nation of Cornwall. But that does not seem to matter. Under these rules, to get a broadcast, MK would need to stand in all six Cornish seats as well as 83 other seats in England and that would only cost us an extra £41,500 in deposits alone!
Who says “democracy” isn’t biased against smaller political parties?
It does not look good for MK. The draft states that a “registered political party which stands candidates in a minimum of one sixth of the seats up for election in a nation will qualify for one PEB in that nations.”
But this means that:
“In England, a political party will qualify for one PEB if it stands in a minimum of 89 seats.
“In Scotland, a political party will qualify for one PEB if it stands in a minimum of 10 seats.
“In Wales, a political party will qualify for one PEB if it stands in a minimum of 7 seats.
“In Northern Ireland, a political party will qualify for one PEB if it stands in a minimum of 3 seats.”
Mebyon Kernow will be standing in all six seats in the nation of Cornwall. But that does not seem to matter. Under these rules, to get a broadcast, MK would need to stand in all six Cornish seats as well as 83 other seats in England and that would only cost us an extra £41,500 in deposits alone!
Who says “democracy” isn’t biased against smaller political parties?
1 comment:
We do not enjoy democracy in Britain. FACT. That is why devolution is so necessary as the UK Parliament has failed consistently to deliver.
I mean, Andrew George MP is not allowed by the Speaker to ask questions about Cornwall's constitutional status.
Mmmmm...
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