FUTURE OF PARTY POLITICAL BROADCASTING

That this House believes that access to political information lies at the heart of political democracy; reminds the broadcasters that democracy involves more than occasional opportunities to cast votes in annual elections; believes further that widespread broadcasting on radio and television of party political broadcasts outside election periods is a fundamental part of our democracy; rejects absolutely the suggestion that party political broadcasts could be abandoned; deplores the suggestion that broadcasts on the occasions of events such as the Budget should be stopped; calls for an expansion of party political broadcasts to Radio One and other BBC radio stations; and urges the broadcasting bodies to remember their public obligations when reviewing submissions to their consultation.