wishing politicians would answer the question

[Lycraphobe]

What is it with politicians that they never ever give a direct answer to a question?

The worst examples are at prime minister question time. Every question seems to get met with "well you would do worse" instead of "yes/ no .. this is what is happening and why".
Then the next time they are asked the question, the answer is "I already answer that question, but here is another vague insult aimed at the opposition".

Its like they have forgotten that what happens in the country actually matters and the people to whom it matters (and pay them to deal with it) are watching.

My solution would be for the speaker to order them to give an answer that doesn't encompass their views on how much worse it would be with any other group who are not in power. But he seems unbelievably weak...!

Nothing to add, I wholeheartedly agree with you!

As I said in the hung parliament thread, PMQs is not for answering the questions.

What exactly do you expect Gordon Brown going to say? Yes, I sold off all our gold at the bottom of the market? Yes, I cut the helicopter and armoured vehicles budgets because I didn't want to pay for Tony Blair's wars, and so soldiers are dead? Of course not.

No, it is for forcing all of government to get its act together once a week lest it is embarrassed in the biggest political forum.

Also, of course, for leaders to motivate their own side, demoralise the opposition, and win over the opinion of journalists - but this isn't nearly as important as forcing Whitehall to sort out its problems.

From what I have heard from people who work in the civil service, it is remarkably effective at getting potentially awkward decisions made before 12pm every Wednesday.