Pro-euro pressure group gives false poll result

22 March 2002

Pro-euro pressure group Britain in Europe made the false claim that participants in a Panorama debate shifted to a more pro-euro position, despite being warned by the BBC that the figures they were using were wrong.

During the debate, presenter David Dimbleby mistakenly claimed that there had been a move towards supporting the euro. In fact there had been a small swing towards the no camp, with the gap widening by 1 per cent from 37-39 against the euro before the debate to 45-48 after. The mistake was quickly spotted and the programme broadcast without this section.

Despite being told by the BBC that the audience was not representative of public opinion and that the poll result was mistaken, Britain in Europe briefed an Express journalist on Monday using the incorrect figures.

An online poll conducted by Panorama moved against the euro after the debate. On Sunday afternoon with 2000 votes it was about 53-46 against the euro. The morning after the debate with 6200 votes, the gap had widened to 61 per cent against and only 39 per cent in favour.

Janet Bush, co-director of the no campaign, said: “I took part in the programme and the BBC made very clear that the audience was not intended to reflect public opinion. In my view the producers of this particular show went to some lengths to make it a fair fight - which we won.

“The real lesson is that in a fiercely contested debate, people who are undecided divide both ways. This underlines the huge mountain that pro-euro lobby have to climb. The Government will only call a referendum if they think they can win. The idea that they go into a campaign behind in the polls and turn around huge opposition within months is simply wrong.”

For further information contact George Eustice or Janet Bush on 020 73780436.

Notes to editors

1. no is a non-party political campaign formed by Business for Sterling and New Europe which supports British membership of the EU and believes that we should keep the pound for the foreseeable future.