A simple solution to soundbites

Tory MPMichael Gove in this morning's Times believes that there are only three political answers when it comes to polititians answering .

1. My statistics are bigger than your statistics. Whenever challenged on the facts, simply come up with your own list of numbers and try to browbeat the listener into submission

2. I may smell, but the other guy's a skunk. Whenever challenged on your record, point out that your predecessors were worse and they would, if they ever returned, wreak havoc on our green and pleasant land

3.I refuse to recognise your premise and will say what I want anyway. Whenever presented with facts (or an argument) that are inconvenient and there are no bogus stats to hand and you can't recall just why the other guys are worse, then just bulldoze