Market research and voting go head to head at House of Commons

Date: 29 June 2005

“Unlike market research, voting changes nothing,” Lord Lipsey will argue at a public House of Commons debate on Monday 11 July. Sponsored by the MRS, the event brings together the prominent Labour peer with experts from the fields of marketing and electoral research to put their views on this controversial topic.

Lord Lipsey, who is Chair of the Social Market Foundation and the ‘Make Votes Count’ campaign, and whose career highlights include roles as Economics Editor of The Sunday Times and member of the recent Royal Commission on Long-term Care of the Elderly, will be joined by Merry Baskin, Partner at brand planning consultancy Baskin Shark, to argue in favour of the motion. Standing in opposition, Professor Michael Thomas, Professor of Marketing at the University of Strathclyde and former President of the MRS, and Ben Marshall, Research Manager at the Electoral Commission, will argue against the motion. Lord McIntosh of Haringey will chair the debate, which begins at 6.45pm in Committee Room 14.

Previous MRS debates at the House of Commons have attracted over two hundred representatives from the fields of market research, advertising, direct marketing and public relations. Organised by The Debating Group, the event – following closely on the heels of this May’s General Election – will provide an entertaining and insightful take on an increasingly topical subject.

Jennie Beck, MRS Vice President, comments: “As researchers, we know and our clients know, that research drives change. It can highlight the need for change, suggest the nature of change and monitor its effect. It is fitting that this debate, comparing research with voting, should follow an election where a significant proportion of people chose not to exercise a vote that they may have felt would have no effect. This forum provides the ideal opportunity for figures from political and market research backgrounds to come together and debate this highly controversial topic – which is relevant to us all.”

Admission to the debate is by prior arrangement only. Tickets can be obtained from Doreen Blythe by calling 020 8994 9177 or emailing dblythe@varinternational.com.

Notes to editors

With members in more than 70 countries, MRS is the world’s largest professional association representing providers and users of market research and business intelligence. All individual members and company partner organisations must comply with the MRS Code of Conduct.

Back to Press Releases

What's New - Membership - Company Partner Service - Members' Area - Code/Guidelines - Qualifications - Training - Awards
Events - Networking - Publications - Media Info - Market Research - Search - Site Map - A-Z Directory - Contact Us - Home