Fast and loose with the figures! That's our Gordy

For the second time in a few weeks Gordon Brown (or at least his number 10 office) has had to apologise for the misuse of statistics. First there was his defence spending at the Chilcott inquiry, and now it is the migration figures (best not to get it wrong when talking about such an emotive issue).

 

I’m not surprised, over the years, especially as Chancellor, Mr. Brown frequently double counted, changed the baseline and forgot about ‘real-terms’. Many of us got used to it, which is why the opposition always has to look at the small print.  He even altered the definition of the economic cycle to get around his own golden rule. The annoying thing about it is that the PM so frequently uses statistics to make his argument, bandying around figures at the drop of a hat. The trick is not to be taken in.

 

Squiffy.