Ofcom Consults On "Major Parties" List

Ofcom has published a consultation on its review of the Major Parties List ahead of the General Election in May 2015. The consultation looks at whether the current parties should remain on the list and considers whether other parties (Green party, Traditional Unionist Voice and UK Independence Party (UKIP)) should qualify for major parties status. The initial view is that the existing parties on the list should remain and that UKIP should qualify for major party status in England & Wales for the purposes of the General Election and English local (and mayoral) elections 2015.

Background

Under Section 6 of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code (Code) and the Ofcom Rules on Party Political and Referendum Broadcasts (PPRB Rules), before a General Election, broadcasters must offer each major party (as defined in the Ofcom List of Major Parties) at least two Party Election Broadcasts (PEBs). The list of major parties reflects the level of electoral support and