Last night (September 22) I received a cold call from Brian Mathew, Liberal Democrat candidate for North Wiltshire, inviting me to a Liberal Democrat presentation in Yatton Keynell.
I said I wasn’t interested and asked for no further calls, and for my details to be removed from their database.
Dr Mathew told me that unless I disclosed my political preferences, he couldn’t guarantee that I would not receive further calls.
This invidious behaviour needs to be stopped, for two good reasons: The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) guidance on political campaigning state: “Organisations may use phone calls to promote a political party, candidate, or referendum campaign unless the organisation has grounds for believing the individual would not want it to contact them, such as TPS registration.” I am registered with the TPS.
This is in breach of the Data Protection Act 1998. Every private individual has a right to stop receiving cold calls and to have their personal details removed from a database unconditionally.
I feel that Dr Mathew’s attempt to gain personal information this way is misleading.
I couldn’t tell from the phone call whether Dr Mathew is an amateur or just inept. I’ll leave your readers to make their own judgement.
Bob Williams, Langley Road, Chippenham.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here