Nigel Farage’s party benefits from revised rules, with corporation citing its level of support and the need to reflect the range of views on EU membership

BBC to give Ukip three party broadcasts a year – but Greens will get none

The BBC has awarded Ukip three party political broadcasts a year outside elections even though the party has only one MP in the House of Commons, folowing a rule change introduced by the corporation’s governing body.

The broadcaster said it had done so taking into account Ukip’s level of support in the country and the fact that in the runup to the referendum on EU membership a Eurosceptic party should get more time on British television.



The Green party, however, will not get any broadcasts even though it too has a single MP. No explanation for the decision was provided, but the party’s share of the polls is lower: Ukip is currently polling at about 14% while the Greens sit at 5%.

A spokesman for the Greens said that the party was “disappointed” with the decision and would be making representations to both the BBC and BBC Trust.

He added that it the Greens attracted more than 1 million votes in the general election and should have more of a voice.



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In the BBC Trust’s consultation Ukip was raised as a prime driver of the re-evaluation of criteria.

“This is particularly the case with regard to the UK Independence party (Ukip) in both England and Wales. Ukip could not qualify under the current criteria whereas other parties (for example the Liberal Democrats) with a lower share of the vote potentially could qualify,” said the BBC Trust in its consultation.



The document also cited the impending referendum on EU membership, which it says would make the gap between popular support and airtime worse “if a party which was unambiguously in favour of leaving the EU was unfairly denied PPBs”.

Last week, the BBC Trust relaxed its rules to allow parties with just one MP to be considered for party political broadcast slots on BBC1 and BBC2. Previously a party had to have at least two representatives, meaning neither Ukip or the Greens qualify for a broadcast.

The BBC’s executive has published the list of political parties it has determined are eligible for party political broadcasts in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Conservatives, Labour and the Lib Dems qualify for three in England, Wales and Scotland, while the SNP and Plaid quality in Scotland and Wales respectively.



Ukip has been awarded three PPBs in England and Wales – broadcasts take place in autumn, winter and spring.

The broadcast criteria differs those during elections when qualification is based on the number of candidates a party is running rather than elected representatives.

The BBC judges eligibility on two criteria.



The first is representation, such as holding a seat in the House of Commons, European parliament or the devolved legislatures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The second is a broader assessment of electoral support over a number of sorts of elections.

The changes are partly driven by the results of the last election, in which a number of parties received substantial shares of the vote but did not qualify for party political broadcasts.

The initial decision on whether to give a party political broadcasts is made by the BBC’s chief adviser for politics, currently former Question Time executive editor Ric Bailey, following consultation with other broadcasters.



However, the BBC executive has final say and parties can apeal to the BBC Trust if they are not happy with the decision.