Key facts
- The British Polling Council (BPC) lacks power to punish rogue firms, its officers warned.
- JL Partners is accused of not disclosing links to Nigel Farage's Reform UK for paid polls.
- BPC President Jane Green warned of personal liability for officers if members face legal action.
- The BPC is considering becoming a company limited by guarantee to protect officers.
- Some members believe the Market Research Society should handle regulation of pollsters.
The watchdog for the U.K.'s polling industry is facing internal warnings that it lacks the power to effectively punish members for misconduct. Officers of the British Polling Council (BPC) expressed concerns in a private meeting that the body is ill-equipped to handle serious breaches, with one comparing its structure to a "bowling club."
This scrutiny comes after a Channel 4 News investigation in September accused JL Partners, a firm founded by former Conservative adviser James Johnson, of securing coverage for polls without disclosing their links to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. The polls were commissioned by undercover reporters posing as benefactors.
While the BPC acknowledged "clear breaches" of its rules, JL Partners has not been expelled more than a month later, prompting questions about the BPC's effectiveness. BPC President Jane Green highlighted the challenges, noting the body was designed for minor mistakes and that contentious issues could lead to legal action against officers, potentially risking their personal assets.
The BPC is considering reforms, including becoming a company limited by guarantee to protect officers from liability. Some members suggested that the Market Research Society, which has regulatory powers, should handle such matters, though others expressed reservations about its experience with political research.