Three-quarters of people in the UK say there should be a ban on those working in politics from betting on political markets following the gamblegate scandal that rocked number 10.
The General Election was marred by revelations nine people working within politics were being investigated for betting on when the poll would be held.
Now an OLBG/YouGov survey has revealed that 76 per cent of Brits think anyone working within politics should not be allowed to gamble on political markets.
And six ot of ten people say all politicians should be made to declare all their betting activity, after the scandal exposed how some were able to apparently bet using insider information.
And nearly half (46 per cent) say anyone found to have used inside knowledge to bet on politics should be banned from holding public office.
Key findings
- 60% believe that politicians should be made to publicly disclose their gambling activity
- 76% would support a ban on those who work in politics from betting on politics
- 69% said they would feel more negatively about a politician who placed a bet using inside information
- 60% of young people [18-24] believe the Government should be doing more to reduce gambling-related harm
- 34% of those aware of the betting scandal were less trusting of the former Conservative government as a result of the scandal
- 27% think that Labour will be no better at governing gambling than the Conservatives
The survey put political allegiances to one side by canvassing Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem and Reform voters.
“While politicians are also private citizens and should enjoy a reasonable amount of privacy, as members of public office they are meant to serve the best interests of the public,” said OLBG CEO Richard Moffat.
“As a result they are held to a high standard, and if those involved have used insider information for financial gain, even at a token amount, it may have far-reaching consequences,” he added.
