tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post2982643628550836396..comments2023-10-27T07:50:27.411+01:00Comments on Next Left: The Ashcroft mysteryTom Hampsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05917325958130851128noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-33574791288209029072009-09-23T14:53:24.595+01:002009-09-23T14:53:24.595+01:00My sense is that there are several combined reason...My sense is that there are several combined reasons for Ashcroft's purchase.<br /><br />In general terms he wants to influence the political balance of debate, but more specifically with this move he has got his hands on the data bank and resource the PHI survey represents.<br /><br />Online polling is growing more responsive since the days when YouGov was set up and the ability to contact several thousand members of the public daily - built up thanks to the respectability afforded by a politically-balanced editorial position - gives PH a step advantage in being able to provide authoratitive data. He is now in a position to manipulate this for effect.<br /><br />Clearly PH has reached a point where their polls can be used for political purposes, just as we hit a critical stage ahead of the election. The loss of the PHI100 is no great loss when it can be replaced by expanded efforts in the PHI5000, so I'm looking for how this resource will be adapted.<br /><br />I fully expect this to be promoted more heavily to members of the public who are inclined to the right and therefore allow the results to present Cameron's Conservatives in a more favorable light.<br /><br />Can Ashcroft trade heavily enough on PH's reputation to reap dividends for his party without turning it to junk in the timeframe remaining? - an investigation into the polling techniques used in this would be well worth the time spent.Oranjepanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-37104359174217064922009-09-23T11:07:40.328+01:002009-09-23T11:07:40.328+01:00I understand that News International editors don&#...I understand that News International editors don't have to be told what to do because they know what their Austral-American proprietor thinks and act accordingly. No puppets them. Any parallel?Richard Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17225331967587897653noreply@blogger.com