THE BBC has come under fire this evening for providing the Labour leader a platform to respond to Boris Johnson’s coronavirus plan but not for the Tories in Scotland with Nicola Sturgeon.
Critics have called on the BBC to give the Tories, the official opposition in Scotland, air time to respond to the First Minister’s COVID-19 plans. This evening the BBC devoted a special allocated time slot on BBC One and the BBC News channel for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to broadcast his official response to the Prime Minister’s coronavirus exit strategy.
It is not uncommon for the leader of the opposition to be given a platform to respond to a ministerial broadcast, however the move has prompted a backlash on social media.
Alan Roden Independent political consultant called on the Beeb to do the same for the Scottish Conservatives in order to scrutinise Nicola Sturgeon’s strategy.
Mr Roden on Twitter said: “If the UK opposition leader (rightly) gets a response carried on BBC One re the Prime Minister’s plan, shouldn’t the opposition in Scotland get to do the same re the First Minister’s plan?”
Paul Masterton former Scottish Conservative MP for East Renfrewshires insisted he did not have a problem with the broadcast if the same was done north of the border.
He said: “I don’t really have a problem with this.
“And no doubt the same opportunity has already been extended by BBC Scotland to the Leader of the Opposition in Scotland to respond to the First Minister’s statement this evening. Right?”
In his message Sir Keir called on the Prime Minister to provide “clarity and reassurance” and insisted it is in the national interest for Labour to work with the Government.
He said: “What we needed from the Prime Minister last night was clarity and reassurance.
“The Prime Minister said he was setting out a road map, but if we’re to complete the journey safely a road map needs clear directions. So many of us have questions that need answering.
“For as long as this crisis persists I’ll keep demanding answers to these questions because that’s how we get better decisions and better outcomes.
“I remain committed to working constructively with the Government in the national interest.”
On Sunday evening Prime Minister Boris Johnson ditched the widely successful “stay at home” message in favour of “stay alert” slogan.
The Prime Minister also set out plans for people who could not work from home to return to their jobs, a phased re-opening of schools from June 1, and said Britons can now meet with one person other than someone in their own household but this must be done outdoors, while maintaining social distancing.
The change of message has prompted a backlash from dissolved powers in Scotland and Wales, and Ms Sturgeon has continued to call on the people of Scotland to remain in doors.
The First Minister has insisted the new message was not clear enough and insisted the easing of lockdown would put lives at risk.