The former immigration minister Phil Woolas was ejected from parliament today after two high court judges ruled that he lied about his Liberal Democrat opponent during the general election, in a judgment that is likely to have profound implications for all future campaigns.
Woolas claimed the ruling – which also triggered a byelection and barred him from standing again for three years – would "chill political speech", but the Lib Dem who challenged his 103 majority welcomed the decision, saying lying should play no part in democratic elections.
... for the first time in 100 years
Phil Woolas ejected from parliament over election slurs | UK news | The Guardian
Talk about bitch slapped by the Judges :lamo
The Judges have also demanded a by election. This will be highly interesting to watch considering the unpopularity of Lib Dems who came second in the last election
Oh god the ruling was based of him lying. If we had that here in the States we would never have any elected officials.
... for the first time in 100 years
Phil Woolas ejected from parliament over election slurs | UK news | The Guardian
Talk about bitch slapped by the Judges :lamo
The Judges have also demanded a by election. This will be highly interesting to watch considering the unpopularity of Lib Dems who came second in the last election
Oh god the ruling was based of him lying. If we had that here in the States we would never have any elected officials.
Are LibDems particularly unpopular after the last election? Or do you mean their unpopularity in general? And why are the LibDems unpopular?
Oh god the ruling was based of him lying. If we had that here in the States we would never have any elected officials.
Not only that but yes. He made false accusations against his opponent and those lies led to him winning a seat. Not to mention he broke the law.
I'm really having a hard time expressing how disgusted I am at this entire concept. Ugh.
You would have civilized and cheaper elections. All the money used on false attack adds would poof
You would have civilized and cheaper elections. All the money used on false attack adds would poof
Lib Dem support has fallen into single digit when before it wasn't. That is a very steep drop. Voters have left, councillors and MP's have defected to other parties.
Lib Dems unpopularity is because they have to voters been seen to have left their roots, they have sided with the Conservatives and to Lib Dem Voters have abandoned some of their key pledges.
But the LibDems would have had to side with somebody in order for Parliament to have a majority to make a government, wouldn't they? What's wrong with the LibDems siding with the Conservatives instead of with Labour?
The concept of lying about your opponent to gain advantage, or of being made lawfully accountable for your lies?
The idea that you or anyone else should be able to subvert the democratic process by claiming that someone's political speech crossed an arbitrary line.
I think the arbitrary line is not to arbitrary, I would hope it would have to pass a test similar to a libel lawsuit, or breach of contract
The idea that you or anyone else should be able to subvert the democratic process by claiming that someone's political speech crossed an arbitrary line.
I think the arbitrary line is not to arbitrary, I would hope it would have to pass a test similar to a libel lawsuit, or breach of contract
That "line" is the law. The Courts had sufficent evidence because of his paper trail and damning emails where he wanted to anger/scare Whites to vote for him.
He deserved it, he ought to be on his knees kissing the shoes of those Judges for the fact he wasn't thrown in jail.
The fact that you think lying about your political opponents (or even libel) should be a criminal offense is equally disturbing.
What I find disturbing is that you and others seem to accept that it is okay for anyone, let alone a person trying to gain a position of power, to lie...
What I find disturbing is that you and others seem to accept that it is okay for anyone, let alone a person trying to gain a position of power, to lie... .. Is that really what US politics has come down too... the better liar?
That anyone can accept that it is okay for a candidate in any type of election to use fear and lies (not to mention racism) in a power grab... is frankly shocking. It should be the duty of anyone (especially the media) to expose such persons for who they are, and make sure they never ever win.
Sadly I admit that it does happen more than I would like, that candidates are successful in using such dishonourable tactics get elected, but that does not mean I (or anyone should), just sit back accept it and/or try to do the same for ones own candidate. We have to protect democracy and the integrity of the process as much as possible.
So you support making lying a criminal offense. Got it.
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