The language of politics

'Politics needs insults – they keep democracy afloat' writes Jackie Ashley in today's Guardian. She totally misses the point. Politics is about verbal argument, both oral and written. It thrives on  'reasonable conclusions based on supported facts' as the anti-tea campaigner suggested. That means measured and carefully weighed conclusions supported by verifiable and accurate facts - not 'final solutions' or 'social cleansing' when talking of housing benefits.