UK General Election 2010
PEBs will be broadcast in the relevant nation on: BBC One and BBC Two, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru (broadcast in Welsh language) and BBC Radio Ulster. BBC Radio 4 and Radio 2 will broadcast PEBs UK-wide (as they cannot split their transmission between nations).
The BBC is therefore proposing two sets of criteria respectively: one set for broadcasts by nation; and the other set for broadcasts UK-wide (BBC Radio 4 and Radio 2 only).
Accordingly:
A registered political party which meets the threshold criterion may qualify for additional PEBs in a nation if it can demonstrate substantial levels of past and/or current electoral support in that nation.
A registered political party which:
(i) stands candidates in a minimum of one sixth of the total available seats up for election in Great Britain (ie 106 seats); or (ii) stands candidates in a minimum of one sixth of the seats up for election in a nation of Great Britain and currently has more than one elected Westminster MP, will qualify for one PEB on BBC Radio 4 and Radio 2.A registered political party which meets the threshold criterion may qualify for additional PEBs on BBC Radio 4 and Radio 2 if it can demonstrate substantial levels of past and/or current electoral support in a nation of Great Britain.
Parties are offered a choice of duration for PEBs on TV: 4’40, 3’40 or 2’40
The order of transmission will be at the BBC’s discretion taking into account,
amongst other things, performance at the last General Election.
All TV PEBs will be made available on the BBC’s website from the time of first
transmission.
As is required by section 11(3) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, the draft proposed criteria for the allocation of PEBs are sent to the Electoral Commission for comment.
