Richard Curran: Politicians should beware of cashing in on what people want to hear – it comes with a high price

Voters often don't realise what they're letting themselves in for

Richard Curran

In his Essay on Political Lying, Jonathan Swift wrote: “Falsehood flies, and truth comes limping after it, so that when men come to be undeceived, it is too late; the jest is over and the tale hath had its effect.”

Three hundred and 14 years have passed since he wrote those words, but they have never been more apt than in this year of big elections around the world.