The Skakagrall

The SNP in Tayside do not telephone anyone who has registered with TPS - we are continually getting updates and screen out all those have registered as there is no point in getting the back up of people who don't want any calls. Anyone who hasn't registered and do not want any further calls from us are made aware of TPS and we take them off our database Can't say anything of our political rivals though.

I had my cold call from Labour a couple of weeks ago - there were obviously several attempts from the computer before one got through properly and it became a bit of a nuisance. I listened to the 'spiel' out of interest when a successful call did come through, though, and answered the questions I was asked - all automated through the keypad. I haven't been bothered since.

I had my Sean Connery call yesterday - I'm afraid that as soon as I heard his dulcet Midlothian brogue I hung up.

Both lots of calls (Labour and SNP) seem to originate abroad, so I'm unable to block them using the 'choose to refuse' facility I pay for. So far as the Sean Connery effort is concerned, I certainly do object to being contacted by a tax exile to solicit my vote - even if I did have some sympathy for the SNP cause (which I don't really, of course) I'm afraid this aspect of SNP tactics only serves to alienate me, even though I don't plan to lodge a formal complaint.

I should add that I am registered with the TPS, but I understand political parties aren't obliged to follow the guidelines, no doubt because they made the rules in Parliament.

Thanks for the reassurance from Tom about the SNP in Tayside. Does this mean that the phone numbers are collected and checked locally? Maybe Bill's local SNP (in Nairn?) slipped up?

Do you really think it is up to the local SNP office to check-up? I have no idea, but I would have thought that this kind of campaign must be orgnanised centrally. The calls come from abroad - on my caller display, from both Labour and SNP, the display showed 'INT'L'.

I thought political parties were specifically exempt from compliance with the TPS rules, but the LibDems (I think?) had agreed, voluntarily, to comply. I've no idea about the Conservatives, by the way, although I did receive a traceable call from them, but it was not really a 'cold-call' so much as a request for help with leaflet delivery, etc, but as I am currently not enamoured with them I declined.

All the SNP numbers are centralised. The numbers not to call are received from TPS -when they release the updates. Of course the TPS may not give us 100% correct info. We can only use the info given.

Apparently TPS is not operative until 28 days after registration, so someone who registered this week is not covered.

Anyway it's good that the SNP are trying to avoid calling TPS numbers.

All the fuss about the SNP - when we try to comply with TPS- the following extracts from the BBC blog suggest it's all hot air from Labour and Tories and when they are using the the same technology (but not complying with TPS where the SNP try to avoid phoning those who have registered)

'I had a tele-canvassing company call and ask if I had five minutes to talk about who I'd vote for. I politely told them I'm ex-directory and asked how they got my number... the blissful sound of dial tone was the answer.
Richard Gaskin, Christchurch, Dorset

I was surprised to receive a recorded message from the Labour Party since I've signed-up with the Telephone Preference Service and no longer receive unsolicited calls. Does the government think this doesn't apply to them?
Lesey Newton, Scarborough

I recieved a recorded phone message from 'Michael Howard' yesterday, but hung up as soon as I heard the name.
Deborah, Nottingham

But it's important for the SNP to respect TPS registration.

Labour and the Conservative will not be doing themselves any good by annoying people, even if they don't get a lot of formal complaints.

By the way, you seem to be enjoying a great lifestyle, judging by your email address 'tomonholiday2003'!

If you wait for the electoral commission to take action, you wait forever. They really are appalling. I'm still waiting for replies to the complaint that we lodged over the North East England referendum and over the lies on the Scottish Labour website.