Politicians who deliberately lie could be forced from office in Wales

[This change] would also make candidates in elections liable to criminal prosecution for making any false statement to win votes.

While I think this is amazing and should be the standard everywhere, it's also quite hard to prove intent beyond a reasonable doubt in this sort of scenario. It just means politicians need to maintain some amount of plausible deniability.

As much as I'd like to see corrupt politicians in jail, I have to wonder if somehow making it a civil offence rather than criminal wouldn't be better, since it would only require proof on the balance of probabilities, rather than the higher standards of beyond reasonable doubt.

At least the criminal liability seems to also be on top of code of conduct violations which could lead to retractions or a suspension.

3 comments

This sounds really great. Can have it for EU please? The EPP would love it.
This should be the standard everywhere... rather than nowhere
[This change] would also make candidates in elections liable to criminal prosecution for making any false statement to win votes.
While I think this is amazing and should be the standard everywhere, it's also quite hard to prove intent beyond a reasonable doubt in this sort of scenario. It just means politicians need to maintain some amount of plausible deniability.
As much as I'd like to see corrupt politicians in jail, I have to wonder if somehow making it a civil offence rather than criminal wouldn't be better, since it would only require proof on the balance of probabilities, rather than the higher standards of beyond reasonable doubt.
At least the criminal liability seems to also be on top of code of conduct violations which could lead to retractions or a suspension.