SNP accused of 'misleading' public with TV debates poll

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has been accused of asking “misleading questions” in a poll which claims that the vast majority of Scots disagree with broadcasters excluding them from televised leaders’ debates.

The SNP-commissioned YouGov poll of 1,013 Scottish voters has drawn criticism from both Labour and the Conservatives who argue that as Alex Salmond is not standing for Westminster he should not take part.

Voters were asked if they agreed or disagreed with the statement: “The televised leaders’ debates due to take place in advance of the election should not include the leader of the Scottish National Party.”

59 percent of respondents disagreed with excluding Alex Salmond from joining Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg.

Commenting on the poll, the SNP MP Stewart Hosie said: “This is a hugely significant poll, because it reinforces the need for Scotland to be treated fairly by the broadcasters in the General Election. By a thumping two-to-one majority, people in Scotland believe it is right that Alex Salmond as SNP leader is included in the proposed televised election debates."

Labour MP for Inverclyde, David Cairns told The Journal: "Alex Salmond is looking increasingly ridiculous because they've asked misleading questions.”

Mr Cairns continued: "Jim Murphy has already called for a Scottish version of the debates. The broadcasters are signed up to that—all we're waiting for is for the SNP to take part. Scots will get the best of both worlds—the UK Prime Ministerial Debates, and the traditional Scottish election debates.”

Conservative MSP David McLetchie told The Journal: “The debates are between the present PM and the two Party leaders who aspire to succeed him as PM of the UK. Alex Salmond does not believe in Britain unlike the overwhelming majority of people in Scotland and is not even standing for election. He has no place in these debates.”

Replying to criticism that the question was posed so as to not draw a fair answer from respondents, an SNP spokesman told The Journal: “It was a fair and open question and not misleading in the slightest.”