Mayoral hopeful Sadiq Khan has landed his party and one its suppliers in hot water after failing to warn potential supporters of the cost of registering to vote in Labour’s mayoral selection.
The party will select its candidate for next year’s mayoral contest via a primary in which non-members can register to vote for their preferred candidate. As well as registering online, supporters can also sign-up by texting a premium rate number for which they’ll be charged £3.
According to regulator PhonepayPlus, which oversees the use of premium rate text and phone services, “consumers should be clearly informed” of the cost of using such services in any publicity material.
However the Tooting MP’s campaign has failed to insure the £3 fee is properly highlighted when soliciting sign-ups from potential supporters on Twitter, a failing which has prompted action by the regulator.
A PhonepayPlus spokesperson told MayorWatch: “When premium rate services are promoted consumers should be clearly informed of all information likely to influence the decision to purchase, including the cost, before any purchase is made.
“We have reminded the company which provides these services of this.”
