Would This Be A Good Thing Here In The States?

[tednlou2]

This seems like a really good idea, but I'm not sure.  No, I like it.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/8114108/Labour-MP-Phil-Woolas-loses-seat-over-election-lies.html

[Hellraiser]

Hmmmm, this isn't something I think should be done.  I mean he shouldn't have lied, but when he made the accusations did no one ask for proof?  Basically the judges are denying the will of the people...even if the people were misguided by a distortion of the truth.

[carousel]

In spite of what is being said in the right wing newspapers, there is considerable disquiet about this.  Woolas is hardly the first politician that has put lies in their publicity material. 

In my constituency, the mp, Simon Hughes is also Deputy Leader of the Liberals, won his seat by running a campaign of lies, swears and homophobic comments against the Labour opponent, Gay Activist Peter Tatchell.  That's despite the fact that Simon Hughes's sexuality is, I think he says, "unclear".  Though this was a long time ago.

The Liberals are legendary for running smear campaigns during elections and seem to have stayed quiet about the whole issue.

There is also deep concern that the judiciary has made a decision about a member of Parliament that transgresses the separation of Parliament and the Judicary.  Phil Woolas was elected democratically, in spite of his actions during the campaign.

[Ann]

Phil Woolas was elected democratically, in spite of his actions during the campaign.

This is the first I've heard of this as I don't follow UK politics quite as closely as I probably should. (We have enough to keep me busy here on the Rock) But my first, gut reaction is that if he was elected via a campaign based on lies, his constituents could hardly be making an informed decision, so how is that democratic?

Maybe if this were to become common practice, politicians would be less inclined to lie.

[GSOgymrat]

I think we really need this because Americans are just not litigious enough.

[Theyer]

I hope the UK keeps all its laws regarding  elections and continues to monitor political lies  and expenditure during elections. When there are no consequences on politicions for lying out and out propaganda can flourish. If is mixed in with a biased press pushing one agenda then the ground is being prepared for totalitarian systems to flourish.

[fearless]

Sounds like a recipe for disaster and lots of future litigation.

All candidates stretch the truth to some extent in an election campaign. I always thought it was the voter at the ballot box who decided whether or not they believed the bs being spun by each candidate.