Why do politicians

[brenda]

have to tell fibs ? Ed Milliband pulling a sickie -- cancelling a meeting and then off to watch football. We plebs have been sacked for less.

[douglas9401]

Because they're workshy knobs with an eye for the main chance, snouts in the trough and, if they toe the party line, a job for life?

[Gromit]

Can't see the leader of the opposition having a job for life.

[DTCwordfan]

Sack him, let's see the other Millipede in.

[douglas9401]

Not as leader maybe but he'll draw a decent wage for as long as he wants.

[bazwillrun]

I'd call them out and out lies.
Its the nature of the beast & the main qualification needed for the job.

As the saying goes "how can you tell that a politician is lying ?"......."His lips are moving !"

[Quizmonster]

About half the staff at the Murdoch papers seem to be under arrest for dishonesty of one sort or another, so why accept THEIR account of what happened? The Sun, for example, printed details of what a Tory MP had to say on the Miliband matter using the words, "pulled a sickie". He being an MP, too, we should not believe HIM either, eh?
It seems Milliband felt ill on the evening before and contacted the organisers to tell them he suspected he would be unable to attend the NHS rally. The rally was cancelled, though there is no reason to believe that was because of the Labour leader's sickness. Accordingly, when he actually felt better next day, he fulfilled another previously arranged obligation, namely, to go to the football match. And why not?
Now, that may well be lies...we don't know...but why believe one member of what you believe to be a lying group rather than another?

[youngmafbog]

It is in their blood. All of 'em.

[bookbinder]

That might give us a clue as to how he might behave if he ever becomes prime minister.

[anotheoldgit]

They shouldn't go to football matches they have a 'kick around' in the House, every Wednesday.

[Dodger666]

"Why do politicians have to tell lies"

They have to tell lies to get elected. Once they're elected it's to hell with the voters we'll do what we like.