FM deserves to have a place in TV showdown

Sturgeon, who faces difficult questions of her own, has at least been consistent from the start

The BBC should be falling over themselves to book Nicola Sturgeon on to the Leaders’ Debate they appear to be planning in seven days.

They should be moving mountains to accommodate the First Minister.

More than 48 per cent of voters UK-wide chose to Remain in the European Union in 2016.

The idea that their views could be adequately represented in a face-off between Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May is for the birds.

This debate needs the voice of the First Minister and of Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable too.

Corbyn is more culpable than most for the chaos this energy- sapping issue continues to cause across every aspect of British life. The suspicion is that he is as Eurosceptic to his core as Jacob Rees-Mogg, though for different reasons.

Corbyn campaigned for Remain before the referendum – albeit with as much enthusiasm as a Norfolk turkey might be able to muster for the coming weeks. He’s surrendered his credibility on Brexit and can’t be trusted to hold the PM to account.

Any suspicion that the PM has made her appearance conditional on who the opposition might be would render the whole thing a waste of time.

Sturgeon, who does face some di f f icult questions of her own on the issue, has at least been largely consistent since before the start of the campaign. She has shown a willingness to get involved and would provide the toughest conceivable test for May.

The fact that the FM also represents a devolved nation within the UK with a vast Remainer majority makes her voice even more important – vital in fact.

Four days before the Scottish independence referendum, supporters of the Yes campaign marched on BBC Scotland’s headquarters to protest against perceived pro-Union bias.

Misjudging the situation, as he did so frequently, Alex Salmond gave gentle encouragement to the marchers when, in fact, they may have actually put off more than a few waverers.

Whatever the evidence was of Beeb partiality, it hardly justified that scale of response. It appeared that some in the Yes movement were starting to lose the plot.

If Sturgeon is ignored this time round, they would face those accusations. They would find it eminently more difficult to defend the corporation’s position. Luckily they still have time to put it right.

One thing is guaranteed – it would make much better TV.