What are the main issues around political advertising?

Introduction to political Advertising

Political advertising is dealt with differently to other forms of advertising. It is particularly topical because of the General Election in 2017, concerns over the veracity of some of the claims made during the 2016 EU referendum campaign and concerns over Conservative Party spending during the 2015 General Election campaign. Although no criminal charges will be brought, the party was fined by the Electoral Commission, see LNB News 10/05/2017 30. For background, see News Analysis: Hey big spender—illegal election expenditure.

What is political advertising?

Political advertising is defined in section 7 of the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code) as:

'claims in marketing communications, whenever published or distributed, whose principal function is to influence voters in a local, regional, national or international election or referendum'.

Non-broadcast political advertising as defined is exempt from regulation under the CAP Code. Somewhat confusingly, marketing communications by central or local government are treated as being distinct from those concerning party policy.

Broadcast political advertising is banned under the