Cameron: no sarcastic remarks to avoid answering a difficult question (as Muscat does)
David Cameron’s speech yesterday about EU membership was meant to appease the moaners at home. This morning, as the world was watching, the BBC’s business editor made the following remark:
“You said that you’re the best salesman for the UK, yet in the last 24 hours you’ve told every business that’s thinking of investing in the UK that they might not be in the European Union in the next five years and that if they invest in the UK there will be enormous pressure to pay more tax.”
Cameron didn’t duck, dive or make facetious dismissive remarks about perhaps having had visions of the Madonna.
Reporters should fire a few sharp questions in the direction of Joseph Muscat and the rest of the shoddy lot who are planning to take over.
Instead of admiring him (typical Maltese village bar argument mentality) for firing back a sarcastic retort, the press should pick him apart for using those retorts to avoid answering their questions, or the questions of opposing politicians.
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A recording of Cameron’s speech is archived here:
http://www.weforum.org/sessions/summary/special-address-18
BBC business editor Stephanie Flanders’ question is at 32’35”
Where is the Amanda Ciappara style of reporter to grill and bring out the ineptitude of Joseph Muscat?
A defensive mind and an empty brain do not make for thoughtful responses.
While I agree that the Cameron speech was intended at least in part to appease people like UKIP (who object to the EU for all the wrong reasons), I think the basic point he makes that the EU is suffering from mission creep and needs a thorough rethink is a valid one. No?
Well said, Daphne. Many journalists here are more akin to simple note-takers.