Each broadcaster is responsible for deciding the allocations made available to a political party. However, through the BLG broadcasters work together with the Electoral Commission and Ofcom to ensure a consistent approach. The following is the approach that each broadcaster will adopt regarding allocation criteria for the elections on June 4th 2009.
Party Election Broadcasts June 2009
England
European Elections
Threshold Criterion
Political parties which are standing a full or substantially* full list of candidates in each and every region in England will qualify for a minimum of ONE broadcast in England.
Additional Criterion
Political parties which meet the threshold criterion will qualify for additional PEBs if they can demonstrate substantial levels of past and/or current electoral support at a national level.
Local Elections
Threshold Criterion
All parties standing candidates in a minimum of ONE SIXTH of the seats being contested will qualify for a single broadcast in England in addition to any European broadcasts.
Additional Criterion
No additional PEBs will be offered for the local elections.
Scotland
European Elections only
Threshold Criterion
Political parties which are standing a full or substantially* full list of candidates in Scotland will qualify for a minimum of ONE broadcast in Scotland.
Additional Criterion
Political parties which meet the threshold criterion will qualify for additional PEBs if they can demonstrate substantial levels of past and/or current electoral support at a national level
Wales
European Elections only
Threshold Criterion
Political parties which are standing a full or substantially* full list of candidates in Wales will qualify for a minimum of ONE broadcast in Wales.
Additional Criterion
Political parties which meet the threshold criterion will qualify for additional PEBs if they can demonstrate substantial levels of past and/or current electoral support at a national level.
Northern Ireland
European Elections only
For the purposes of the European election Northern Ireland is a single three member constituency. It is usual for parties to field one candidate each for the European elections. MEPs are elected through the STV (Single Transferable Vote).
Threshold Criterion
Political parties which are standing at least one candidate for the European Parliament and which have current representation in the European Parliament, the House of Commons, or the Northern Ireland Assembly will qualify for a minimum of ONE broadcast in Northern Ireland.
Additional Criterion
Political parties which meet the threshold criterion may qualify for additional PEBs if they can demonstrate substantial levels of past and/or current electoral support at a national level
The provisional allocation of all PEBs is subject to review and amendment until one day after the close of nominations.
PROVISIONAL ALLOCATION (Assuming parties meet the threshold criterion)
In England, Wales and Scotland, PEBs will be transmitted, in each nation, on BBC One at 1855 and/or 2235 and on BBC Two at 1755and/or 2320 or 2335, beginning no sooner than April 28th 2009.
Parties are able to choose from three durations: 2’40”; 3’40” or 4’40”
ENGLAND
European Election:
Labour, the Conservatives, UKIP and the Lib Dems will each be offered THREE broadcasts.
The Green Party will be offered TWO broadcasts.
All other parties meeting the threshold criterion will each be offered ONE broadcast.
Local elections:
All parties meeting the threshold criterion will be offered ONE broadcast.
SCOTLAND
Labour, the SNP, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems will each be offered THREE broadcasts.
All other parties meeting the threshold criterion will be offered ONE broadcast.
WALES
Labour, Plaid Cymru, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems will each be offered THREE broadcasts.
All other parties meeting the threshold criterion will be offered ONE broadcast.
NORTHERN IRELAND
In Northern Ireland, PEBs will be transmitted on BBC One at 1855 and/or 2235 and on BBC Two at 1755and/or 2320 or 2335, beginning no sooner than April 28th 2009.
Parties are able to choose from three durations: 2’40”; 3’40” or 4’40”
The DUP, Sinn Fein, the UUP and the SDLP will each be offered THREE broadcasts.
The Alliance Party will be offered TWO broadcasts.
All other parties meeting the threshold criterion will be offered ONE broadcast.
* ‘substantially’ is designed to address the situation where a party intended to stand a full list but at a late stage failed to do so for example because a candidate had to withdraw