Snooper’s charter: Most Britons unaware of Tory plans, survey finds

Poll by Liberty finds widespread ignorance of move to strengthen surveillance powers that is heading for Commons battle

Britons could be sleepwalking into a new era of state surveillance powers, judging by a new poll conducted by the civil rights organisation Liberty.

Before a Commons battle over the investigatory powers bill this week, the poll found that 92% of respondents who were aware of the proposals - described as a "snooper's charter" by critics - disapproved of them. But 72% of respondents said that they knew nothing about it.