Two political candidates are vying in an election, its a close election and small things could tip it either way to allow one or the other candidate to win. As part of their campaign, one of the candidates deliberately spreads rumours and lies about their opponent. These mistruths appear to be enough to gain victory once the count is done.
So, after the event their opponent goes to the courts to have the ballot overturned as their case says that without the lying they would have won the election.
So the questions are...
1. Should the ballot be held sacred regardless of what was said?
2. Should politicians be kicked out if they deliberately lie about their opponent to gain an advantage. Note, I don't mean the general party line (because we all know manifestos aren't worth the paper they are written on), but actually directly and unjustly attacking their opponents character?
Inspired by the news about Phil Woolas, who was found guilty of deliberately lying about his candidate and stripped of his seat in the Houses of Parliament, followed by being kicked out of the Labour party.
More on the story here.