those politicians, they lie, you know!

[voodoo]

I found out recently that the UK has no law forbidding politicians lying. This is unlike any other part of society (if a corporation lies they are accountable, as are you and I), and leads to the complete unaccountability seen in the wake of the Iraq war. Intelligence was exaggerated and selected with an agenda (cf. the "Downing Street Memo"), but there is no way in which Blair and co can actually be tried for lying...
Anyone else think this is a bit messed up? Kind of a heavy topic for a Wednesday morning, but it really got to me!

[Jason]

Hi VD
Welcome to this board!

Even though there is no law (I personally don’t know if there is any)
But it will be very hard to track / catch the Lies, he/she will have many 100 ways to hide behind, specially when highly qualified ppl working with them.
They will always find some way to get a way with their lies.

I thought there is some comities to solve this or you can say an opposition group can file a court case against the politician who is lying.

Interesting query! Are you coming from a political background?

[voodoo]

I'm actually coming from a philosophy background, but I'm very interested in politics. It seems that our government has become increasingly authoritarian and that British politics is at the stage where politicians are above the law. What use is the vote if a politician can do whatever he likes as soon as he is in power i.e. deceive the public for his own means without facing any consequences. I think it is true that there isn't a law to prosecute politicians for deceiving the public because I read it on this website:

mo-truth.blogspot.com

It's really interesting (well, it got me feeling passionate!) - they are interviewing various MPs asking them about this gap in the law & they have created a bill called the 'Misrepresentation of the People act'

[concern_citizen]

Welcome to crimeforum Voodoo. Very interesting topic. Well which politician do you think never lies??? Usually during their campaign period they will promise you evrything but once they get the post they can't even remember what their agenda is about..... But I do agree with Jason there is a committee who deals with politicians who corrupt (lies) the system. So next time when you vote, vote wisely. By the way I like your name.....

[voodoo]

Thanks, concern! The problem is that the current methods of holding our elected representatives to account aren't good enough. General elections are few and far between, we have to wait four years to make a change. The other methods aren't independent enough and amount to self regulation and this isn't appropriate. Take a look at the documentary at the top of this page: mo-truth.blogspot.com/2007/01/beginners-guide-to-ministry-of-truth.html - seems to me that our parliamentary system is fundamentaly flawed :mad:

[voodoo]

I have posted a few things on the website (mo-truth.blogspot.com/2007/01/beginners-guide-to-ministry-of-truth) under the name 'catullus' trying to get a discussion going there. Not had any luck yet... If anyone's interested and in the mood for political debate look it up. :)

[golfguru]

While there may not be a law on the books, I would think that if they caused any harm because of their lies, they would be responsible. That is the way it is in America.

[yachan]

they lie all the time anyway. dont even trust anything the piliticians said. they can chnage it in a blink of an eye.

[ddc]

Politicians always have rediculus stories.

[concern_citizen]

Well not all politicians, lets give some credit to the good ones.

[bluegem]

There are some good and some bad.
Its part of politics.Some will do anything for their personal interest.
But i think we should prefer national interest.

[manjeet]

Politicians do everthing for their pocket only. Maximum Politicians have very less intrest for public welfare. Politicians can only speak but they can not do anything for the society. They lies everywhere truth they cant speak.

[manjeet]

Politicians do everthing for their pocket only. Maximum Politicians have very less intrest for public welfare. Politicians can only speak but they can not do anything for the society. They lies everywhere truth they cant speak.