Who Cares About Facts and Figures?

Who cares about facts and figures – especially if they don’t back up political prejudices?

In the light of today’s Prefu forecasts as to where the economy is heading, which showed a pretty positive picture of the economic future, National’s Luxon and Willis were not to be deterred. “Labour has left the cupboard bare,” Willis proclaimed – a statement flatly disproved by the Prefu figures.

“Kiwis deserve better,” said Luxon – apparently, like Willis, relying on the Herald’s headlined reporting of their remarks to convey a misleading impression to the unwary reader.

With political opponents ever-ready to bend the truth, and a leading newspaper keen to give currency to their mis-statements, what chance do we poor voters have of reaching an informed view?