May's inability to answer yes or no.......

[Kizmiaz]

On the Andrew Marr Show when questioned about Trident. How stupid do they think we are? I know they all do it but for some reason this was unbearable.

[227bhp]

A better question to ask would be why she wasn't giving a straight answer, there was a good reason.

[warp9]

Isn't it on the first page of 'Being a Politician' - How not to say Yes or No.

[Murph7355]

My view was dropped in here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

In summary, Marr's "style" in the lead up to that question was awful and not conducive to getting answers out of anyone. And that question isn't one we should be expecting our leaders to answer on TV in the way Marr was evidently angling for. See - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... (and try to ignore JawKnee started it).

[ATG]

I do wonder if she couldn't remember the order of events, so the answer she was actually trying to avoid was "Erm ... dunno. Didn't seem that important at the time."

[Funk]

The all-time classic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqU77I40mS0

The answer is clearly 'yes' and Howard thinks we're all idiots.

[loafer123]

Its a matter of national security...you don't go confirming a rumour that your main defence weapon might have an issue - we have nothing to gain and everything to lose.

The main 1pm BBC Radio 4 news has been banging on about "how come they celebrate the successful firings but don't tell us about the failures".

Are they really that thick?

[del mar]

warp9 said:

Isn't it on the first page of 'Being a Politician' - How not to say Yes or No.

Agreed.

I think it actually takes some skill to avoid saying yes or no.

Is it raining outside ?

Well under the previous government there were prolonged periods of rain.

But is it raining now ?

It is not about whether it is raining now, but what level of rain we are planning to see in the future and how we will cope with it.

Yes but is it raining now ?

Look we can all agree that rain is expected in the future, but I wont be drawn on whether it is significant at the present moment.


I would have folded at the first question and agreed that it was p***ing down.

[Funk]

del mar said:

warp9 said:

Isn't it on the first page of 'Being a Politician' - How not to say Yes or No.

Agreed.

I think it actually takes some skill to avoid saying yes or no.

Is it raining outside ?

Well under the previous government there were prolonged periods of rain.

But is it raining now ?

It is not about whether it is raining now, but what level of rain we are planning to see in the future and how we will cope with it.

Yes but is it raining now ?

Look we can all agree that rain is expected in the future, but I wont be drawn on whether it is significant at the present moment.


I would have folded at the first question and agreed that it was p***ing down.

Read this on another forum once:

said:

"Jonus, what are you doing this weekend?"

"That's a great question -- and an important one. And I WILL do something this weekend. But let me take a step back, and answer a broader question. What are we ALL doing this weekend? As a nation? As a world? This weekend, I will do something comprehensive and robust, yet fun. We all should."

"But what are you doing?"

"What I'm going to do involves three things. First, it's going to be relaxing; second, it's going to be enjoyable; lastly, I'm going to make sure that it's cost-effective and I don't get into a deficit. Four weeks ago, I said I'd do something -- and I did. This weekend will be no different."

And how NOT to do it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCem9EZb-YA

As if he didn't seem weird enough, he turned in that stinker of an interview. http://www.twitlonger.com/show/bfensm

Edited by Funk on Monday 23 January 13:32

[Murph7355]

ATG said:

I do wonder if she couldn't remember the order of events, so the answer she was actually trying to avoid was "Erm ... dunno. Didn't seem that important at the time."

I got the distinct impression that she had been told about the test ahead of whatever speech she was giving that Marr alluded to, but knew that answer could have led to a thousand gotchas and getting taken down a rat hole. Which is exactly what Marr was angling after.

She could, IMO, have quite rightly noted that this is simply not something to be discussed on TV, certainly not now, and that her views on Trident remain that it is a good thing. And then slammed the door in his face forcefully on any follow up questions. As it was, I totally agree that she came across as evasive unfortunately.

[Alex]

She should have simply replied, "Of course I knew about it; I'm the Prime Minister."

[Atomic12C]

I know the media prepare very planned out loaded questions when they know politicians come on the their shows, and even also when they attempt to catch ministers 'off guard' in general locations.

I am also guessing they have very planned out follow up questions to lure ministers in to 'traps' depending on their answers either way.

All so that a particular media outlet can claim "you heard it here first folks". (Little to do with 'public interest' which is their usual 'get out clause').


So I fully understand why politicians will avoid giving direct answers to the media if they can help it.


What I would like to see is PM May avoid going on to TV shows altogether (or at least keep such appearances very limited), so that she can concentrate on the important issues rather than serving TV channel rating figures.

[Rude-boy]

loafer123 said:

Its a matter of national security...you don't go confirming a rumour that your main defence weapon might have an issue - we have nothing to gain and everything to lose.

The main 1pm BBC Radio 4 news has been banging on about "how come they celebrate the successful firings but don't tell us about the failures".

Are they really that thick?

From the same people who think that we should set out the entire UK negotiating position relating to Brexit and debate it in the commons first?

I'm concerned that there was further proof required to answer that question.

[Eric Mc]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUwuYhPO5Hs

[bitchstewie]

I do think she managed to make herself look shifty and evasive when a clear "We don't discuss our nuclear deterrent on national security ground" or something similar might not be the popular answer, but it's a clear answer and actually answers the question asked.

[K12beano]

warp9 said:

Isn't it on the first page of 'Being a Politician' - How not to say Yes or No.

It must be ingrained so deeply in any budding politician that the whole concept is completely meaningless.

As is the thought that a politician who doesn't say "Yes" or "No" could, in any way, be newsworthy.

Politician 101 - see also Yes, Minister / Yes, Prime Minster for practical application. Test later.

[K12beano]

Eric Mc said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUwuYhPO5Hs

You were looking quite young there, Eric....

[loafer123]

Rude-boy said:

loafer123 said:

Its a matter of national security...you don't go confirming a rumour that your main defence weapon might have an issue - we have nothing to gain and everything to lose.

The main 1pm BBC Radio 4 news has been banging on about "how come they celebrate the successful firings but don't tell us about the failures".

Are they really that thick?

From the same people who think that we should set out the entire UK negotiating position relating to Brexit and debate it in the commons first?

I'm concerned that there was further proof required to answer that question.

I'm sorry - I don't know what I was thinking.

[Kizmiaz]

Agreed, if national security was being compromised by her answering the question she should have just said so. Agreed Marrs questioning was not particularly good but the clumsy cack handed way she tried to avoid giving a direct answer just made me instantly hate her.

[pim]

She dodged the question.Why I don't know it looked embarrassing.

This is what we so dislike about politicians they lie when their mouth is open.Must be somthing in their genes.It is not meant as a glib comment.These missiles cost a fortune and our A&E has no bed for a ill two year old to rest on.

Oh sorry the Russians our enemy is on his way.