WE would like to make a few points in response to Sarah McArthur’s article, “Wind farms will never be free from opposition despite popularity” (Feb 16).
Scotland Against Spin previously undertook extensive research which exposed the gross misinterpretation and misrepresentation of various polls conducted on behalf of RenewableUK, the voice of the wind and solar power industry, and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). These purported to show overwhelming support for more onshore wind turbines.
Of the 1700 respondents to a YouGov poll, only 7% (119) were from Scotland, where the vast majority of the wind farms are located. That is 0.002% of the Scottish population. Of those 119, only 38 (32%) replied that they lived within five miles of a wind farm. That is 0.0007% of the Scottish population. In contrast, there were 192 respondents from London.
Why ask Londoners their opinion of living within five miles of an onshore turbine when there are none anywhere near?
BEIS admitted that their poll was statistically flawed and that despite published results, they could not draw conclusions of support for onshore wind in Scotland.
The public, in general, do not have much confidence in polls as they understand that meaningful unbiased results are dependent on how respondents are selected for the survey and what questions are asked. A small number of selected and paid panellists (as confirmed by YouGov) with a vested interest in the results will produce skewed and unreliable answers. But such polls, often paid for by industry wanting to evidence their desired “public opinion”, are used to shape government policy. This is not representative of public opinion or balanced press reporting. It is not widely known that survey firms select their respondents from a panel and even use outside respondents from other companies. Those respondents are paid.
It really is about time that the wider press investigated the sham conclusions presented by these polls and report poll data accurately. Otherwise we are in danger of becoming a propaganda state like Putin’s Russia, where money and power dictate public opinion and ultimately, government policy.
Aileen Jackson Scotland Against Spin
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