There is a common belief that all politicians lie. I’m not convinced this is true but rather all try to get their message across in a way that doesn’t hold them hostage to fortune. Our current batch, however, have taken lying to a fine art.
Hannah Arendt, the German-born American historian and political philosopher reminds us of the ‘The Enduring Power Of The Political Lie.’ She says that ‘Leaders like Trump and Bolsonaro don’t just bend the truth. By using lies as a consistent political tool, they try to destroy it — as did the fascist regimes of the last century.’
To them lying comes easier than telling the truth. The truth is whatever they say it is and the bigger the lie, the more it seems to be believed.
I’ve brought up the subject of attack ads before but felt it necessary to come back to them as we are in the middle of the party conference season. As this week has been the Labour conference, the Conservatives have been out in force, spreading misinformation and lies. They are not the only ones that are guilty. This week we have seen nuggets such as:
‘Labour’s tax raid could force us to sell our house – just to keep my son at school’ All children are entitled to a free education in this country.
‘Sir Keir opposing Rishi Sunak’s balanced and pragmatic approach to Net Zero. That means costs of an extra £5000, £10000, £15000 for British families in the near term.’ How?
‘Oops…when the biggest single issue for the economy is inflation it doesn’t get ONE mention from the Shadow Chancellor?’ She mentioned a rise in costs, which is inflation by any other name.
Whether you believe these messages or not will depend upon the position you start from. If you are pro-Conservative they may well resonate with you and if you are pro-Labour, no doubt they will grate on your nerves. If, however, you are a floating voter I don’t believe they are going to help make up your mind. Instead of persuading you that this party’s promises are wrong they will simply turn people off all together.
These kinds of distortions of the truth (lies) do nothing to help our political climate. Sometimes they may be amusing yet at other times they are stomach churning. This country needs a future built upon consensus and not polarisation. Our politicians need to grow up.
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 