Spin and propaganda in Parliament have become such a nightmare in recent times that the public do not know who to believe, a Tory MP has said.
Sir Teddy Taylor, MP for Rochford and Southend East, launched the attack when he spoke to the Southend Headteachers' Association when its members visited the House of Commons.
He said: "One of the great strengths of the British democratic system is that high standards of integrity were maintained.
"Of course all governments made mistakes, but at least the general public were reasonably confident they were being told the truth.
"Sadly, in Parliament in recent times the new practice of spin and propaganda has become such a nightmare I find the general public just don't know who to believe."
Sir Teddy said there had recently been the issue of school funding. "The Government insists a substantial amount of extra cash has been provided but the local councils insist the extra funding has not compensated for the additional burdens placed on schools through national insurance, pension payments and salary increase.
He added the same problem applied to the health service and Iraq. "Truth is the strongest weapon in politics and I just wish it was used more," he said.
Published Monday, June 9, 2003
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