REVEALED: Burnham’s ‘extensive’ secret Scottish independence polling operation

The article reveals that the UK Cabinet Office has secretly conducted polling on Scottish independence under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, refusing to disclose the results or costs despite a Freedom of Information request. This lack of transparency contradicts the government’s public stance on accountability and has drawn sharp criticism from former SNP MP Tommy Sheppard and SNP MSP Calum Kerr. They argue that using taxpayer money for such research without releasing the findings constitutes a breach of public trust, akin to corruption, and undermines claims of an open and decentralized government. This controversy highlights a significant tension in democratic governance regarding the use of public funds for political intelligence. The refusal to publish the data prevents citizens from understanding the basis of policy decisions, such as the Prime Minister’s comments on the conditions for a potential referendum. By concealing the results, the government denies the public the opportunity to scrutinize whether there is indeed a "clear consensus" for independence, thereby limiting informed civic engagement and democratic oversight. The relevance to open data lies in the critical importance of transparency in how governments utilize taxpayer resources. This incident mirrors past legal battles over concealed polling, demonstrating a persistent pattern of opacity that hinders public accountability. For open data advocates, this case underscores the need for mandatory publication of research funded by public money, ensuring that government actions remain visible and subject to public scrutiny rather than being hidden behind closed doors.

Source: thenational.scot
Published on 2026-11-09

REVEALED: Burnham’s ‘extensive’ secret Scottish independence polling operation

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