Lib Dems seek ruling on election cold-calling
The Liberal Democrats have made a formal complaint to the Information Commissioner over Labour and Conservative telephone canvassing tactics.
Apparently, the two parties are telephoning individuals who have signed up to the Telephone Preference Service, which is designed to protect the public from cold calls.
The Telephone Preference Service was set up to allow individuals to opt out of receiving marketing calls. Any company that calls a registered number for marketing or advertising is libel to be fined.
However, surveys are a grey area in the legislation.
The Lib Dems believe that canvassing falls under the scope of the act, but the other parties believe that individuals can be contacted to ask for their voting preference as this is not ‘marketing’ or ‘advertising’ activity.
Lib Dem chairman Matthew Taylor said that they had received a number of complaints from individuals signed up to the service who were still receiving unsolicited calls.
He added: “The advice that we have received on several previous occasions is that such phone calls are illegal. Liberal Democrat campaigners are advised that they face a hefty fine if they call a TPS registered number.
“But the Labour Party is advising its campaigners that TPS numbers can be called if it is to ask voting intentions.
“I have written to the Information Commissioner to seek a clear ruling on the issue so that all parties can act on the same basis.”
