Praful Nargund has today, 24 September 2025, launched a new campaign, Truth Matters, to address the growing threat that online disinformation poses to the UK’s democracy. The campaign, backed by MPs and peers across the political spectrum including Dame Angela Eagle MP and Bill Esterson MP, is a direct response to the rising torrent of false online information designed to undermine a candidate’s credibility, twist perceptions and sway public opinion during election periods.
Truth Matters aims to clean up social media and protect the integrity of future UK elections. The campaign proposes a targeted amendment to the Elections Bill to add electoral disinformation to the list of harms in the Online Safety Act, ultimately bringing Section 106 of the Representation of the People Act into the 21st century. The existing laws that make it illegal to publish false statements about the character or conduct of election candidates need to be updated to reflect the current digital landscape of the world. The amendment to the Elections Bill would:
- Apply Section 106 explicitly to online platforms and content
- Clarify enforcement responsibilities in a digital context, including Ofcom’s role
- Maintain all current protections for freedom of speech
- Not criminalise any speech not already illegal under existing law and case precedent
Nargund, who was Labour’s candidate in Islington North, and many other candidates across the UK, including Saqib Bhatto MP and Jess Phillips MP, were subject to targeted smears and coordinated attacks on social media throughout the 2024 General Election campaign. Fabricated stories about candidate’s careers, reputations and families circulated online as a means of influencing how people would vote, ultimately playing a potential impact on the outcome of the election results.
Truth Matters will play a role in preparing the UK for a new era of politics whilst protecting democracy and upholding fairness in society. The spreading of misinformation as it currently stands is polluting British politics and eroding public trust in democratic processes. Modernising an existing law is the key to closing the gap that exists for electoral disinformation whilst living in a digital age.
Praful Nargund, Campaigner and Director of Good Growth Foundation which develops practical policy ideas to strengthen democracy, tackle inequality, and build a fairer, economy, commented on the launch of the campaign:
“The attacks made on social media against candidates from across all political parties and UK regions during the 2024 UK election period were calculated attempts to distort the democratic process, weaponising mistruths to manipulate voters and erode trust in institutions.”
“In recent years, we have seen how misinformation has had the power to destabilise democracies right across the world – from election interference in the United States and Brazil to disinformation campaigns in Eastern Europe. The UK must not be complacent in the face of this growing global threat and lead the way in protecting the integrity of our elections.”
“I’m calling on all parties to get behind Truth Matters to ensure that we are all playing our part in protecting our elections from online manipulation and deceit. If we want to continue to defend democracy, we need to take action now.”
Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Newlove of Warrington, Lord John Hannett, Oliver Ryan MP, Jade Botterill MP and Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dan Price are amongst others supporting the campaign.