Get set for C-charge question

David Ottewell

October 16, 2008

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THE recommended question for Greater Manchester's crucial congestion charge referendum could be ready within days.

Sir Neil McIntosh, the polling expert drafted in to draw up a form of words and oversee the vote, said his proposals could be submitted 'very soon'.

A postal referendum ending on December 11 will decide the fate of a deal which would see more than £2.75bn ploughed into transport - including £318m to set up a peak hour, weekday congestion charge. Some £1.2bn would be in the form of a loan, paid back out of profits from the charge.

Opinion polls suggest the wording of the referendum question could be crucial in determining whether the answer is `yes' or `no'.

That has not been lost on the leaders of the 10 councils, who will have to decide whether to accept Sir Neil's recommendations at a meeting in Manchester on October 31.

If they fail to agree, the whole future of the referendum will be thrown into fresh doubt. It is understood different political factions have already clashed about the potential question.

But Sir Neil told the M.E.N: "I will not change my question for political reasons under any circumstances."

Sir Neil oversaw the Scottish referendum on devolution in 1999 and is one of Britain's most respected authorities on large-scale votes.

He has refused to be drawn on his work so far, saying he was obliged to give the council leaders' first sight.

One possibility is that he will suggest residents are sent a leaflet with brief, neutral information about the deal, together with a referendum card that includes a couple of sentences explaining the deal.

They would then be asked whether they want to accept it or not.

Sir Neil did confirm he was keen to give people a simple `yes or no' question.

He also admitted there were two `fundamental aspects' of the bid that were likely to be mentioned - the investment and the congestion charge scheme. He said: "From my perspective, what is really important is that whatever I do is objective, accurate and balanced. The question should not be tempting people in one direction or another. For that reason I concluded very early on that a question that can be answered `yes' or `no' is very important. But of course a simple question is much more difficult to construct."

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Jay B, oldham (16/10/2008 at 10:47)

Thats all it should be. Yes or no.
trying to confuse people with cleverly worded questions to influence a result is wrong.
but yet all the pro lot have been trying to do that from the very begining.

Pentest 2, Hyde (16/10/2008 at 10:53)

I personally won't be looking at any wording on the form, my vote will be a big 'NO' to any 'CON' charge.

Black Flag (16/10/2008 at 10:59)

Jay B: "Thats all it should be. Yes or no. trying to confuse people with cleverly worded questions to influence a result is wrong."

But "yes or no" to what? Working out the answers is the easy bit, it is the question that is the difficult part.

On one side, we've got some of the anti's that won't be happy if the question doesn't just say "do you want a congestion charge?" and makes no mention of the benefits.

On the other side, there are probably a few that won't be happy unless the question plays up the public transport benefits and plays down the charge.

I imagine that McIntosh will probably come up with an even-handed question and then face criticism from both sides.

kendomat, Salford (16/10/2008 at 10:59)

If 9 out of 10 people will not pay a congestion charge, as advertised in the MEN today, then why put it in place...

Rachel, Bolton (16/10/2008 at 11:13)

How about 'Do you want a congestion charge, yes or no'?
That is straightforward and not misleading in any way. Why does the question need to be thought about?

Rachel, Bolton (16/10/2008 at 11:15)

I'm voting NO too.

Black Flag (16/10/2008 at 11:26)

Rachel: "How about 'Do you want a congestion charge, yes or no'? That is straightforward and not misleading in any way. Why does the question need to be thought about?"

Because that is a leading question which higlights one part of the scheme to the exclusion of everything else. Somebody with the opposite opinion to you could suggest asking "Do you want massive investment in public transport, yes or no?" Would you be happy with that?

Jay B, oldham (16/10/2008 at 11:28)

yeah thats as simple as it should be.
everyone knows what we will and wont get from the TIF.
its been everywhere for months.
we also have loads of little gaps that havent been filled and things that wont be confirmed as well.
we all seem to know that too.

so all the question should be is.
do you want the congestion charge.
nothing more and nothing less.

then you have a straight forward yes or no answer.

Black Flag (16/10/2008 at 11:34)

Jay B: "so all the question should be is. do you want the congestion charge. nothing more and nothing less."

Well I think you'll be disappointed because, unlike you, Neil McIntosh isn't trying to skew the vote.

kendomat, Salford (16/10/2008 at 11:34)

Ok why not a range of questions :
Answer Yes/No
Do you want the Congestion Charge?
Do you want better transport?
Do we pay enough tax?
Should we spend more on transport and less on bullets for a pointless war?

citycentre, manchester (16/10/2008 at 11:38)

Thats all it should be. Yes or no

thats the answer, but what about the question?

"everyone knows what we will and wont get from the TIF. its been everywhere for months. we also have loads of little gaps that havent been filled "

so which is it everyone knows, or everyone dosnt know?

Ace Shakespeare , manchester (16/10/2008 at 11:40)

This is going to be a loaded vote "You can bet on it".Labour cannot come out with it like the referendum because it would enforce that we dont have a real democracy in britain.We are just people who are used as a money gathering system ."Taxes/tolls and other things like "VAT,MASSIVE TAXES ON FUELS AND UTILITIES".We joined europe for fair trade and all we got was shafted by politicians who feather their own nests on things like congestion and the charges.

Growler (16/10/2008 at 11:45)

the answer is NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO.............NO !

Chipper, CIty center (16/10/2008 at 12:07)

Here is the question..........

Do you not want to vote 'Yes' for the Congestion charge not to be introduced ?

Batfink, Manchester (16/10/2008 at 12:10)

will the question include the wider implications though? Offering better transport in exchange for a charge doesn't sound too bad. It's when you get into the detail that it goes pear shaped. How much better transport, and for who? How much will enforcement cost? What will the effect on council tax be? What about the fare prices? It's at this level that the real effects come out, but you can bet the question won't go to this level of detail. Only the gullible will vote yes for this.

Sir Reginald Ringpull, A-u-L, Lancashire (16/10/2008 at 12:25)

Alternate Question:

Do you think that the AGMA should spend £3000 per household of your money so Stockport can have one extra Yellow School Bus?

Y

Trudy, Bolton (16/10/2008 at 12:35)

The latest round of adverts are selling who won't pay the charge. I'm sure the minority who will have to pay it will be more than happy to subsidise the travel arrangements of the rest of us! Why don't we ask them....mmmmm

AlexisV (16/10/2008 at 13:08)

Easy:

Manchester has the opportunity to be given a £3billion loan to invest in new transport infrastructure. A condition of gaining the loan would be to introduce a peak time congestion charge for motorists, once most of the transport improvements are in place.

Do you think Manchester should accept the £3billion loan for public transport improvements and introduce a congestion charge? YES

or

Do you think Manchester should decline the £3billion loan for public transport improvements and not introduce a congestion charge? NO

Mark,Radcliffe. (16/10/2008 at 13:13)

Get on with It !

ReclaimAlky, Alkrington (16/10/2008 at 13:19)

Question: Are you too stupid to accept a huge offer from central government for public transport improvements on the off chance you might pay the odd quid here and there because your backside is too large to get out of your car... that would be a more realistic question

citycentre, manchester (16/10/2008 at 13:24)

Batfink

it would be a very long question

Trudy; we are about to be asked, hadn't you noticed?

AlexisV

sounds fair, except it is a 1.2 billion loan and peak time congestion charge for some motorists

Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead (16/10/2008 at 13:30)

Why do they need a professional to work out the question, here it is. "Do you want to be fleeced to the tune of £1200 or more per year just to go to work and earn more taxable pay", Simple!

It's obvious that the question is going to be designed so that the statistics can be manipulated however they want it to sound.

Rt Hon Dr Rev MC Spanner MP QC FCA FRICS JP OK (16/10/2008 at 13:32)

Wouldn't it be a laugh if the question was a double negative. Then the Yes campaign will have to chagne all of the adverts.....

Â£2530 to drive to work? I'd be better on the DOLE!!! - Paul Teeque (16/10/2008 at 13:34)

it its not a loaded question ill eat my hat! and then laura norder from Didsbury for supper ;- >

Black Flag (16/10/2008 at 13:42)

MC Spanner: "Wouldn't it be a laugh if the question was a double negative"

They'd never do nothing like that.

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