Public: Marr wrong to ask about “pills”


by Newswire    
6:34 pm - September 30th 2009

Tweet       Share on Tumblr

A YouGov poll today said that a large majority of people – 73% – thought Andrew Marr was wrong to ask Gordon Brown whether he was taking prescription pills and/or anti-depressants.

They thought the Prime Minister had a right to privacy.

Only 22% said the public had a right to know Brown’s medical details.

Anthony Wells at UK Polling Report said:

I was actually rather surprised by that result – my expectation was that the general public attitude towards politicians is that they should jump through whatever humiliating hoops we demand. Looking at the queston wording, YouGov did specificy that the Prime Minister had a right to privacy on medical matters “that do not materially affect their work” and I suppose Andrew Marr would have said that the rumours, if true, could affect Brown’s work.

That said, 73% to 22% is pretty clear opposition to this sort of questioning.

  Tweet   Share on Tumblr   submit to reddit  


About the author

· Other posts by


Story Filed Under: News


Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.


Reader comments


1. Joel

I have been really quite stunned by the vitriol (especially over at Guido’s place). It’s been sickening that figures like Fawkes are taking the piss out of depression and mental health.

This poll result… in a small way… restores my faith.

2. Left Outside

Agreed. Some people are bastards, but people in general are quite nice too

3. Jimmy Sands

“(especially over at Guido’s place)”

Kids can be cruel.

4. Jim

Joel @ 1

“stunned by the vitriol”

Why? Have you been living in a cave for the last thirty years?

Everyone knows the Tories have more than their fair share of vicious sub-human vermin and Staines et al are the epitome of the type of thuggery that they employ. If you are ‘stunned’ now wait to the bastards smell blood, they are worse than jackals.

Now that Cameron is now apaid lackey of the Murdoch press, it is going to get much worse.

5. Robbo

Fawkes is a disgrace for the campaign he has been running on this.

6. Michael Read

Brown is an oddball with inappropriate behaviours which strongly suggest he is under medication.

Marr’s questions on this issue are quite proper, indeed it would be improper not to raise the questions.

7. Ian

The question should not be “is it right to ask about his mental health”, but “is it right to ask about his mental health based on the rumours of a couple of anti-Brown troublemakers”

8. Joel

@7, Michael Read. Evidence, please. There’s nothing strong to suggest he’s on medication, other than the scribblings of rumour-mongerers. He might be depressed, I’m not sure, but there’s nothing to suggest that’s affecting his work.

It’s just simply none of our business. But more than that, Guido’s using it to stigmatise mental health issues, which is just sick.

9. Mr Skinner

Brown made himself look ridiculous in response though and played into the hands of those critisicing him. He should have just laughed it off as nonsense (if it is, personally his record of lying is such I don’t trust a single thing he says).


Reactions: Twitter, blogs
  1. Liberal Conspiracy

    Article:: Public: Marr wrong to ask about “pills” http://bit.ly/vzE90

    [Original tweet]

  2. sunny hundal

    Britons not as prejudiced as Marr or Guido Fawkes RT @libcon: Public – Marr wrong to ask about "pills" http://bit.ly/vzE90

    [Original tweet]

  3. Liberal Conspiracy

    Article:: Public: Marr wrong to ask about “pills” http://bit.ly/vzE90

    [Original tweet]

  4. Liberal Conspiracy

    Article:: Public: Marr wrong to ask about "pills" http://bit.ly/vzE90

    [Original tweet]

  5. Brown’s speech, the Elephant in the room « Freethinking Economist

    [...] Marr wrong to ask about pills [...]





Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.