BBC Scotland’s exclusion of Alba from the leaders’ debates is now utterly indefensible after BBC Wales set a precedent with an ultra-inclusive debate night featuring leaders of several tiny anti-devolution parties

The Alba party have been excluded from every single leaders’ debate so far. I’m currently watching the BBC Wales leaders’ debate for the Senedd election, and the fringe party “Abolish the Welsh Assembly” is fully represented.

The BBC, ladies and gentlemen. Unspoofable.

— James Kelly (@JamesKelly) April 29, 2021

Oh God, it gets even better: immediately after the main BBC Wales debate, there’s an additional 30 minute debate for the Greens, UKIP and Reform UK. BBC Scotland haven’t got a leg to stand on here. They’ve failed the public by not even attempting to find a format including Alba.

— James Kelly (@JamesKelly) April 29, 2021

Of course the simplest shortcut for small parties that want to get on the BBC is to be right-wing, anti-devolution, or anti-Europe.

— James Kelly (@JamesKelly) April 30, 2021