EU Referendum: a Google-assisted Poll

[SueEllen]

I'm not sure there is any scientifically valid method in which you can gauge public opinion based on what sort of comments are being left on news articles.

My perception is that Brexiters certainly seem to be more vociferous and good a shouting loudly but that doesn't mean it will translate into a result at the polls.

Just like that Scottish thing...

[PurpleGorilla]

Last three polls are neck and neck:

http://whatukthinks.org/eu/opinion-polls/poll-of-polls/

[SueEllen]

Last three polls are neck and neck:

http://whatukthinks.org/eu/opinion-polls/poll-of-polls/

Which are a waste of time.

The "in" voters I've met apart from a couple who are politically active are very quiet about their views. I had to drag it out of them.

[PurpleGorilla]

Which are a waste of time.

The "in" voters I've met apart from a couple who are politically active are very quiet about their views. I had to drag it out of them.

Thanks for that nice bit of anecdotal evidence.

[jamesbrown]

The "in" voters I've met apart from a couple who are politically active are very quiet about their views. I had to drag it out of them.

I think you can make the same argument about soft Leave voters. Indeed, I think that accounts for a significant fraction of the difference between telephone and online polls, more so than sampling issues; there's a social desirability bias towards Remain. Some discussion here.

[rl4engc]

The comments sections of any articles on any website are full of the racist, mentally ill, unemployed and undereducated.
They shout the loudest.

I get it now. So these thousands of racist, mentally ill, unemployed and undereducated will suddenly become all "Call me Dave" and "Pro-European when they go to the voting booths in June. :sarcastic:

I don't buy the argument that Brexiters shout the loudest, it's like saying " The Scottish "Stay" campaign shouted the loudest (they didn't) there were just more of them so they won.

Just went over to order-order.com Euro stories, same result over there; all Pro-Exit comments had an order of magnitude more up votes than Down. Why are the Stays so deathly silent, apart from the few people banging the drum?

[sasguru]

I get it now.

No you don't. You're basing your conclusions on a non-representative sample of the population: those who have the time and inclination to leave comments on websites.
It's a classic, basic, schoolboy error that some very basic training in statistics would have prevented.

HTH, BIKIW.

[DodgyAgent]

It is so reassuring to know that clever people like this know what is best for us all!

[sasguru]

It is so reassuring to know that clever people like this know what is best for us all!

Note she's not saying that stupid people should not vote, merely that some do not understand the issues.
Judging by some of the comments on here she's completely right.

[DodgyAgent]

This is her CV

1977 : University , social sciences: doctor of social sciences, Paris-Sorbonne University
Professional career
1978-1999 : Journalist at the Luxemburger Wort newspaper (Other)
Political career
Offices held in a political party or national trade union
1989-1999 : Vice-Chair of the CSV party
1986-1998 : Chair of the Luxembourg Union of Journalists
1988-1993 : Chair of the Christian Social Women (CSF) movement

Offices held in local government bodies
1981-1999 : Member of Esch-sur-Alzette Municipal Council

Offices held in a regional assembly
1979-1989 : Member of the Benelux Parliamentary Assembly

Offices held in a national parliament
1979-1989 : Member of the Luxembourg Parliament

Offices held in the EU institutions
2010-2014 : Vice-President of the European Commission with responsibility for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship
2004-2010 : Member of the European Commission with responsibility for the information society and media
1999-2004 : Member of the European Commission with responsibility for education, culture, youth, media and sport
1989-1999 : Member of the European Parliament

Offices held in other international organisations
1979-1989 : Member of the North Atlantic Assembly (leader of Christian Democrat/Conservative group)

She is ideally qualified to control our lives and tell us what to do.