Annwyl Mr Davies / Dear Mr Davies,
My name is Alice Hooker-Stroud and I am the current leader of the Wales Green Party.
I am severely disappointed that the first leaders debate for the National Assembly Elections in Wales on BBC Wales, (Sunday Supplement program on BBC Radio Wales, aired at 8am on 17 Jan) did not include a Wales Green Party voice.
We have a strong tradition of progressive politics in Wales. A much better system of representation in the Senedd that includes a proportional element, shows that we are miles ahead of the UK in terms of a fair electoral system, and a decent democracy.
However, a decent democracy also requires that voters are well informed and can make a proper choice. The media plays an important role in educating voters on the policies, values and visions for Wales of the parties for which they may choose to vote. By excluding the Wales Green Party from leaders debates, BBC Wales is not allowing the Welsh population a proper political education before going to the ballot box.
Over the last 12 months membership of the Wales Green Party has tripled. We will be fielding candidates in constituencies across Wales, and already have our candidates for all regional lists, where we have a very strong chance of winning our first seat in the Senedd in the Welsh Assembly election in May.
In the most recent polls (30 Nov – 4 Dec 2015), on the regional level, the Wales Green Party equaled the percentage support of the Lib Dems, demonstrating that on a proportional level, our policies at least equal the popularity of those proposed by a party who is always included in your debates.
In the General Election last year, the Green Party secured coverage in the BBC leaders debates. I am appalled that BBC Wales has not followed what I had presumed to be a new era of political representation in our media. Politics is changing, and our media needs to keep up: in Wales as it has done in the rest of the UK.
Now is the time to include the Wales Green Party in your leadership debates, and I look forward to hearing from you for inclusion in future leadership debates.
Best wishes,
Alice Hooker-Stroud