HUDDERSFIELD MP Barry Sheerman is waging war on the pollsters.

He has called for an urgent inquiry into opinion polling organisations and their standards of polling.

He told the House of Commons: "Shabby opinion polling methods and manipulation of polls could subvert the democratic process."

Mr Sheerman said he wanted to highlight growing concerns about the collapse of self-regulation and the absence of an effective code of standards.

He said: "I have already asked the Prime Minister and the leaders of the other two major parties to discuss this matter, which is at the heart of our democracy.

"It is right that the parties agree on and push for good standards.

"This subject would be prime material for an investigation by the appropriate Commons select committee, but I do not believe there is one.

"However, it would be appropriate for the Electoral Commission to consider the matter.

"I know many people in the industry would be happy to give evidence in the hope that the commission would show the way to a form of regulation that everyone trusted."

Mr Sheerman added: "The issue is vital to our electoral system and democracy and it will not go away."