Media and Elections

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

ME037

Criteria for allocating free broadcast time

Question:	What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):	e. As agreed by special committee
Comments:	The Broadcasters' Liaison Group was formed in 1997 and comprises of representatives of each of the broadcasters who make airtime available to registered political parties and to designated organisations in referendum campaigns. Each broadcaster is responsible for deciding the allocations made available to a political party. However, through the BLG, broadcasters work together with the Electoral Commission to ensure a consistent approach. Meetings of the BLG are chaired by the BBC's Chief Adviser, Politics. The group meets from time to time to co-ordinate the criteria which each broadcaster applies in determining the amount of airtime to be made available. Broadcasting opportunities made available to political parties fall into three categories: Party Election Broadcasts (PEBs), which are offered to qualifying political parties, registered with the Electoral Commission, in the run-up to elections Party Political Broadcasts (PPBs) Ministerial Broadcasts, which, in exceptional circumstance, are offered to the government followed normally, by responses by the main opposition parties. There is no free printed advertisement space allocated to political parties, but the postage is paid for each candidate to send out a mail-shot in the constituency they are standing in. The candidates, however, must pay for the cost of the printing of the mail-shot. As required by section 11(3) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, this criteria for allocating party election broadcasts must be sent to the Electoral Commission for comment.
Source:	Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, art. 11(3) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/41/data.pdf Official Website of the Broadcasters Liaison Group:(2015) http://www.broadcastersliaisongroup.org.uk/
Verified:	2025/06/23

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ME059

Television debates

Question:	Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):	b. Yes, in legislative elections
Comments:
Source:	UK Parliament House of Commons Library - General Election television debates research briefing https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn05241/ History and future of TV Election Debates in the UK (2017): https://historyandpolicy.org/opinion-articles/articles/the-history-and-future-of-televised-election-debates-in-britain/
Verified:	2025/06/23

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ME062

Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.

Question:	What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:	h. Not applicable
Comments:	Opinion polls may be published up to polling day, but exit polls can only be published after the close of poll. The Representation of the People Act 1983 prohibits the publication of the results of polls conducted on Election Day whilst voting is taking place. This is outlined in Ofcom’s (the communication services regulator) Broadcasting Code. "185.The Representation of the People Act 1983 prohibits, before the poll for an election has closed, the publication of the following: “(a) any statement relating to the way in which voters have voted at the election where that statement is (or might reasonably be taken to be) based on information given by voters after they have voted, or (b) any forecast as to the result of the election which is (or might reasonably be taken to be) based on information so given.” 186. Aside from these provisions, there is no legal regulation of polling in the UK. Instead, most of the polling organisations belong to one or both of two industry bodies which require them to comply with their codes of conduct: the British Polling Council (BPC) and the Market Research Society (MRS)."
Source:	United Kingdom Parliament: The Politics of Polling, Ch. 5: Oversight of polling https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201719/ldselect/ldppdm/106/10608.htm Ofcom, Section six: elections and referendums (2024): https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/broadcast-standards/section-six-elections-referendums
Verified:	2025/06/23

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ME080

Question:	Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	Before elections and referendums, there is a regulated period for the campaign that puts a limit on spending. These limits apply to candidates, political parties and non-party campaigners. Spending limits vary for different elections. Each election the Electoral Commission publishes an updated "Guidance on Campaign Spending" with details on the limits parties can spend on party spending and candidate spending. "Returning Officers must receive spending returns from all candidates by a certain date, which varies depending on the election. The Returning Officer is then responsible for making the returns available for public inspection." (UK Electoral Commission, 2015)
Source:	Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (as amended), Schedule 9; https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/41/data.pdf United Kingdom Electoral Commission (2015): http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/find-information-by-subject/political-parties-campaigning-and-donations/candidate-spending-and-donations-at-elections
Verified:	2025/06/25

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