Friday 2 January 2009

A Watchdog With Teeth?

It is reported in the Times today that Sir Michael Scholar, the chairman of the UK Statistics Authority, is calling for an end to 'spin'.

Presently government ministers are allowed to see official statistical data 24 hours prior to release, thus allowing them to 'cherry-pick' the favourable parts, thereby putting a political gloss on the findings.

Well, who would have believed it? Someone standing up to government!  Sir Michael told The Times that he would not hesitate to name politicians who leaked official data early or without figures having been checked fully by statisticians. Wonder how long he will hold onto his post?

What happened to politicians just telling the unvarnished truth? Come to that, what happened to politicians holding portfolios for which they were qualified?

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