Overview

This bill proposes to establish a Political Opinion Polling Regulation Authority to oversee and regulate political opinion polls across the UK. The aim is to ensure accuracy and fairness in polling, addressing concerns about potential manipulation or misleading information.

Description

The bill mandates the creation of a Political Opinion Polling Regulation Authority (the "Authority"). This Authority, established by the Secretary of State after consulting political party leaders, will be responsible for setting rules governing political opinion polling.

These rules will cover key aspects including:

• Approved Sampling Methods: Defining acceptable methods for selecting participants in polls.
• Question Wording: Providing guidance on how questions should be phrased to avoid bias.
• Publication Timing: Setting rules around when polls can be published, particularly in the run-up to elections or referendums.

The Authority's board will comprise representatives from polling organizations (nominated by the British Polling Council), political parties, and the media. The Authority will publish its rules within six months of establishment, regularly review them, and be subject to parliamentary scrutiny.

The bill also introduces penalties for those who conduct political opinion polling in breach of the Authority's rules.

Government Spending

The bill states that the Secretary of State will cover the Authority's expenses, remuneration, and allowances. No specific figures are provided.

Groups Affected

• Polling Organizations: Will be subject to the Authority's rules and regulations.
• Political Parties: Will have representatives on the Authority's board and influence the development of rules.
• Media Outlets: Will be impacted by rules concerning poll publication.
• The Public: Will benefit from potentially more accurate and less misleading polling data.

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