POLITICIAN ANSWERS A QUESTION: an exception that proves the rule

Given previous posts about politicians not answering interviewers' questions (on which, see below for list of posts) I was delighted last week to see former Home Secretary Charles Clarke giving as straight an answer to a question as anyone could ever hope for:

Q: "Will you tell us what you think about Gordon Brown?"

A: "No."

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· Why it's so easy for politicians not to answer interviewers' questions - and what should be done about it

· Gordon Brown’s interview technique: the tip of a tedious iceberg

· A prime minister who openly refused to answer an interviewer’s questions

· A Tory leader's three evasive answers to the same question

· A Labour leader with no interest in spin!

· Derek Draper breaks a basic rule of conversation

· Applause for Dimbleby’s questions on Question Time