Overview

This bill establishes a Political Opinion Polling Regulation Authority to oversee and regulate political opinion polls in the UK. The aim is to ensure accuracy and fairness in how polls are conducted and reported, particularly in the lead-up to elections and referendums.

Description

The bill creates a Political Opinion Polling Regulation Authority (the Authority). This Authority will be established by the Secretary of State after consulting with political party leaders. Its responsibilities include:

• Setting rules for approved sampling methods used in political polls.
• Providing guidance on question wording to ensure clarity and avoid bias.
• Regulating the timing of poll publication, potentially restricting publication close to elections or referendums.

The Authority's management board will comprise representatives from polling organizations (nominated by the British Polling Council), political parties, and the media. The Authority must publish its rules within six months of its establishment and review them annually. These rules, and any amendments, will be laid before Parliament. The Secretary of State will fund the Authority's expenses, remuneration, and allowances. Breaching the Authority's rules will result in a specified penalty.

The bill defines "political opinion polling" as encompassing polls related to local, national, and devolved elections, as well as referendums held in the UK.

Government Spending

The bill mandates that the Secretary of State will cover all expenses, remuneration, and allowances for the newly established Authority. No specific figures are provided in the bill itself.

Groups Affected

This bill will affect several groups:

• Polling Organizations: They will be subject to the Authority's rules and regulations, potentially impacting their operations and costs.
• Political Parties: They will be consulted in the Authority's establishment and will have representation on its board. The regulation of polls could influence their election campaigns.
• The Media: Media outlets publishing polls will need to adhere to the Authority's rules, possibly influencing their reporting and timing of poll results.
• The Public: The aim is to improve the accuracy and fairness of polls, ultimately benefiting the public by providing more reliable information to inform their voting decisions.

Powered by nyModel