"MPs, Police, and Local Leaders Join Forces in New Campaign to Combat Online Disinformation in Politics"

Table of Contents

• Campaign Introduction
• Initiative Leadership
• Political Support
• Campaign Goals
• Impact and Projections

A NEW campaign has received support from MPs, police, and local government leaders to combat the spread of online disinformation in politics.

Truth Matters was launched to address false and misleading content, particularly in the political sphere.

Truth Matters has been initiated to combat the spread of disinformation on social media and online.Credit: Refer to source The campaign is advocating for changes to the Elections Bill to broaden the scope of the Online Safety Act.Credit: Refer to source

The initiative is led by former candidate Praful Nargund, aiming to protect democracy.

It has garnered support from parliamentarians including Labour MPs Phil Brickell and Tom Rutland.

Cheshire's Crime Commissioner Dan Price also supports the campaign.

Nargund established Truth Matters after personally experiencing online disinformation during his candidacy in Islington North during the last election.

The campaign seeks to amend the Elections Bill to acknowledge electoral disinformation as a serious online threat.

Currently, candidates are meant to be protected under Section 106 of the Representation of the People Act 1983.

However, the rule—which prohibits the intentional spreading of misinformation about participants—is seldom enforced.

Bolton West MP Phil Brickell remarked: “Online misinformation and disinformation pose a significant threat to our democracy, our institutions, and the safety of our communities.

“Addressing this issue directly is crucial if we wish to restore public trust in this digital era.”

Dame Angela Eagle MP added: “The increase in online misinformation presents a major challenge. When falsehoods spread faster than the truth, it undermines democracy, fosters division, and places people at genuine risk.”

Campaign founder Praful Nargund expressed: “It is fantastic to have this broad support from across the political spectrum for this initiative.

“Combatting online misinformation requires leadership at all levels of public life.”

The launch of Truth Matters signifies the start of a wider, cross-party movement for reform.

With additional events and announcements anticipated in the upcoming months, the campaign is establishing a foundation for a more transparent and responsible online political environment.

This initiative follows a shocking poll indicating that Nigel Farage could dominate in modern history if an election were held tomorrow.

Reform is projected to secure 445 seats, reducing Labour to just 73 MPs and leaving the Tories with only seven.

A staggering 13 Cabinet Ministers would lose their positions according to the MRP projection of 7,449 voters.

Among the casualties are Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.

Mr. Farage is leading in the opinion polls with an approximate 10-point advantage over Sir Keir Starmer.

He has gained momentum amid the cost of living crisis since the last election.

The seat-by-seat forecast by Electoral Calculus for PLMR, first reported in the Daily Mail, will raise further concerns in Downing Street.

While Reform would surpass the 326 needed for a majority, exceeding Tony Blair’s 1997 landslide, Labour would be reduced to 73 seats.

The Lib Dems would secure third place with 42, the SNP with 41, Jeremy Corbyn’s left-wing Your Party with 13, the Tories with seven, and the Greens with six.

This projection assumes no tactical voting will occur in the next election.

If tactical voting is considered, the poll predicts Reform would achieve a smaller majority of 84 with 367 MPs.

Praful Nargund founded Truth Matters. Dame Angela Eagle has publicly endorsed the initiative.Credit: Getty Bolton West MP Phil Brickell called the initiative ‘essential’ for ‘trust in a digital age.’