IT APPEARS TO BE CATCHING…

"It's easier to swallow with a cup of tea!"

I believe it was William James (1842-1910) the father of modern Psychology, who said, "There's nothing so absurd that if you repeat it often enough, people will believe it."

But no matter who first conceived of this repetitive method of utterance, it’s something that certain Tameside councillors have recently discovered to be ‘Tailor made’ to influence the simplistic minds of modern social media junkies. 

"There'll be one or two more here next year!"

These day’s a mere whisper in the ears of the right people in the right places and you’ll soon be hearing the propaganda from all corners. In effect, if not in reality, the story becomes true.

For instance, in a recent council Press Release - Date Released - 17/12/13 Tameside Council deputy Executive Leader Cllr John Taylor, who is responsible for markets, said: “We’ve received lots of wonderful feedback from people who have enjoyed the market and the lovely, festive atmosphere.

In a Council Press Release - Date Released - 23/12/13 Executive Deputy Leader Cllr John Taylor, who is responsible for markets, said: “We’ve received lots of wonderful feedback from visitors who have enjoyed the market and the lovely, festive atmosphere as well as from businesses who have seen an increase in trade.

The exact, word for word, statement was also published in The Reporter on 2^nd January 2014.

A letter by a Mr Roger Coates, published in last week’s Advertiser, said it all.

Councillor John Taylor’s praise of Ashton’s Christmas Market reminded him of Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy story ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes!’