Poll: Would you back a law that makes it a crime for politicians to lie?

A bill from a Welsh political party would make it an offence for elected politicians to lie.

By Orla Dwyer Thursday 12 Dec 2019, 8:37 AM

Dec 12th 2019, 8:37 AM 29,843 Views 86 Comments

https://jrnl.ie/4929465

Politicians in the Dáil chamber last year.

Image: Pool Picture Oireachtas/Rollingnews.ie

Politicians in the Dáil chamber last year.

Image: Pool Picture Oireachtas/Rollingnews.ie

THE LEADER OF a Welsh political party has published a new draft law that would make deliberate lying by politicians a criminal offence.

Adam Price, leader of Welsh party Plaid Cymru, has published the Elected Representatives (Prohibition of Deception) Bill.

This proposed legislation would see elected politicians face criminal charges if they misled the public on purpose.

The bill says: “It shall be an offence for an elected representative acting in their capacity, or an agent acting on their behalf, to make or publish a statement they know to be misleading, false or deceptive in a material particular.”

So, today we’re asking: Would you back a law that makes it a crime for politicians to lie?

Poll Results:

Yes (9715)

No (769)

I don't know/I've no opinion (189)

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Orla Dwyer

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orladwyer@thejournal.ie

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Poll: Would you back a law that makes it a crime for politicians to lie?