One thing that open data initiatives like the Guardian Datastore, data.gov.uk, OpenlyLocal, They Work for You and the GLA Datastore have done is to the world is they’ve made transparent the need for raw, verified referencable data. If ever there was a reason for this to be more the case in politics and electioneering, then this leaflet that landed on my doormat this morning is it. Something clearly designed to swing my vote. Just not as they’d hoped and more away from this cheap and appalling bit of election propaganda.

The statistic in the loosest terms presented there as fact is one of the most dangerous I’ve seen. Firstly, show me the numbers. If you want to be believable and credible that’s the least you can do. Making the text red is the oldest trick in the book to confer danger/importance.

Secondly, show me the source. Did you do the poll. If you don’t show me the source, that’s what I’ll assume. But that is because I’m lucky enough to have a stats and science background.

If I was being picky I’d also say show me your questionaire, sample size, methodology and a measure of relevance. Statistics and data are so important everywhere now. We just have to teach data literacy and most of all to teach people to question things presented as facts without evidence.

If a journalist made a statement like that based on a poll they’d have to qualify it. They’d have to show the numbers and quote the source. It’s time to hold these people more to account. I’ve just written to the candidate to ask for the source and the data. When I get a reply, I’ll publish it here.