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Ofcom last week (8 January) published a consultation on the political parties it proposes as 'major parties' ahead of the May 2015 elections. The list of major parties is important for the allocation of party election broadcasts.

This consultation does not determine the structure, format and style of any possible TV leaders' election debates. The decision on which leaders are represented in any broadcast debates is an editorial matter for broadcasters in agreement with the political parties taking part.

Ofcom's role, under duties given by Parliament, is to set rules ensuring due impartiality across broadcast coverage and to require the allocation of party election broadcasts. These party election broadcasts are short TV or radio broadcasts made by a political party, often with a party leader speaking directly to the audience.

Broadcasters allocate a minimum of two party election broadcasts to major parties, and a minimum of one party election broadcast to other parties standing candidates in at least one sixth of seats at a General Election.

Broadcasters have the discretion to allocate additional party election broadcasts and in the 2010 General Election allocated more than the required minimum and to a wide range of political parties. An outline of how party election broadcasts were allocated during the 2010 General Election is available in our consultation document here.

Broadcasters must also ensure that all their coverage is duly impartial, giving due weight to major parties but also representative of a range of voices.

In its consultation, Ofcom set out an initial assessment based on the available evidence. We are seeking views and details on how to respond to the consultation are available here.