Alex Salmond really is a tit.

[AvadaKedavra]

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8645630.stm

If they can't see that they aren't included because they can never be the Prime Minister then they are more stupid than I gave them credit for

I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up in the debate not being shown on Scottish telly...

I agree it would be daft to put him on; BUT.. it could also offer a bit of perspective on all this hung parliament scare mongering - it really is not as bad as GB & DC are making it out to be

I have to say when he first started banging on about being included in the prime ministerial debates, I thought he was being a childish tit too.

However, these debates are a real topic of discussion among voters up here, and obviously they are not able to compare and contrast how the SNP perform in the same arena. I can understand why he's getting so uptight about it - he's missing out on a real opportunity to get through to voters in Scotland.

I can see the point of view; but it would be absolutele madness to put someone in the debate that isn't even standing in this election. I still think it's utterly shocking that for so long Mr Salmond was allowed to be an MP and an MSP - how on earth could he be expected to do either job well

Now if they were fielding an actual SNP candidate I could be convinced

But DarklyDreaming (Dexter??!) he has had the opportunity to go on 4 I think I read debates in Scotland and has only appeared on one. His views would be of no interest to the rest of the UK.

Avada: most of the views expressed on these leaders debates are of no interest to the 'rest of the UK' i.e. everywhere but England as health, education, crime, etc etc etc are devolved. There is no recognition of this from any of the media, and what we are getting as a result of these broadcasts is a totally skewed version of the current state of politics which may well impact on the election results.

oricella: don't disagree that people shouldn't be able to hold more than one job, but unfortunately that's a product of the anachronistic Westminster system. In the same way that they shouldn't be MP/MSP, they shouldn't be able to be MP/banker etc. Alex Salmond doesn't pocket both wages by the way. His 2nd wage (which he isn't allowed not to take) goes to a charity. Oh, and he is a good MSP - I know because he's mine.

Prickly Thistle totally agree with your post.

The BBC is meant to be unbiased, all we are seeing in Scotland is stuff that is more relevant to England, nowt about what this election means in Scotland.

As the SNP are one of the main parties up here it is only right they should be included in the debates.

AFAIK the conservatives have only ONE Scottish Westminster seat, so how are they more relevant to Scottish voters than the SNP?

Hear hear Prickly.

This election IS important in Scotland, it is important to people to protect what we've achieved so far with our own parliament. None of what the media is showing is inclusive of devolved governments.

I think oricella's point about hung parliaments is a good one - it hasn't exactly been disastrous here.

Hmmm. Not sure when I stand on this one. Thought is was ridiculous for SNP and PLaid Cymru to expect to be included until I realised that these debates have an effect on the way people vote in Wales and Scotland too.

but the difference is that no-one else but the Scottish can vote for the SNP. Whereas the other main parties can be voted for by everyone.

UKIP have jumped on the bandwagon too now apparently.