Varadkar and ‘pessimism bias’

Language and politics

Sir, – It seems that Leo Varadkar has been taking lessons from the Tory songbook. If plans are not being met with unalloyed joy then re-word and re-present them in as near to gobbledygook, the international language of economists, as possible.

Apparently he has learned that “there can be a cost to excessive caution and that pessimism bias is as much of a risk as optimism bias”. In an effort to persuade us that black is white, “we never have, nor will we, use temporary revenues to fund permanent or occurring day to day spending” (“Budget battle lines drawn between Martin and Varadkar”, News, June 12th).

Whatever about his grasp of economics, our Taoiseach’s use of the English language is dismal. – Yours, etc,

GERALDINE BIRD,

READ MORE

Doolin,

Co Clare.