Members back criminal charges for political lies

Members sent a blunt message on honesty in public life yesterday: politicians who deliberately lie on big issues should face criminal charges. The call for criminal sanctions won overwhelmingly, though opponents warned any such law risks becoming a weapon against dissent rather than a guardrail for truth.

The verdicts

Should all online political content show who funded or sponsored it also passed overwhelmingly. "Paid for by Putin" captured the mood, with members viewing transparency as the best way to judge online persuasion.

Members split almost down the middle on whether the UK should hold a second referendum on its membership of the European Union. A second vote won narrowly; the most respected argument against it was that there is no case for a third referendum.

Should the law prevent the Prime Minister from publicly labelling defendants in ways that risk prejudicing their trial passed overwhelmingly. The sharpest tension was whether ministers need a new rule or simply need to obey the existing one.

Members declared the UK is heading in the wrong direction and needs major policy changes, with "high tax, high spend, low service, low growth" the sharpest shorthand. Yes voters meant very different things by it.

Should politicians face criminal charges for deliberately lying to the public on matters of significant public concern is covered above.

Should 20 mph become the default speed limit on roads through towns and villages in England was rejected comfortably. The winning argument was not against slower streets but against one rule fitting every road.

Should the UK stop buying US diesel in response to threats of US export bans and look for alternative supplies passed narrowly. The strongest case was for securing alternatives before dependence turns into a crisis.

Should the UK expand regional airports before building a third runway at Heathrow won comfortably. Opponents noted the question mistakes parallel investments for a queue.

Voting continues today.

Have your say

Every verdict above was decided by people like you. See the full results →

Today's questions are already live. Cast your vote — or create an account and be counted.