Some thoughts on the "fake fact check" scandal the Tories precipitated last night
1. It's got them a lot of attention, probably 99% from the scandal rather than the original tweets
2. It has pushed Boris Johnson's lacklustre performance out of the headlines
1. It's got them a lot of attention, probably 99% from the scandal rather than the original tweets
2. It has pushed Boris Johnson's lacklustre performance out of the headlines
3. So on the face of it, it's a classic "dead cat"
4. However, I believe that the election is so close, it may be won by the undecideds who make up their minds at the last minute
5. Plenty of ordinary people will have been put off by that sort of unedifying stunt
4. However, I believe that the election is so close, it may be won by the undecideds who make up their minds at the last minute
5. Plenty of ordinary people will have been put off by that sort of unedifying stunt
6. It's a cumulative effect, not a one-off. But if the Tories' reputation for dirty tricks continues to grow throughout the campaign, they may cement their base but at the cost of more thoughtful and moderate voters
7. It's therefore vital that other parties, especially Remain ones, don't fight fire with fire. If everyone starts faking stats and news, then the Tories' own efforts will be whitewashed and any benefit from them having disgusted people with their behaviour goes away /END
