This is what I mean, Heath. It may not always be the intention, but every time someone plays the what about x tactic it just comes across as deflection. I couldn’t care less if x is Tory, Labour, Lib Dem, atheists, Christians, Muslims, elves, orcs or sugar plum fairies, the charge of what the other side does offers no defence for the miscreant.
I would have a better time believing it wasn’t to deflect from criticism if it wasn’t made in response to valid complaints. It’s why so many who do have the intention to obfuscate and distract use this argument in a debate. It doesn’t matter what Labour do or have done, it’s still wrong for Zahawi to do this (the same would be true for any Labour MP caught in a genuine sleaze scandal and what about Tories?) and we don’t create a better society by forever wagging fingers about what the other side do.
