This year’s “Lie of the Year,” as chosen by PolitiFact, is, as you would expect, pretty shocking. During the September presidential debate, Donald Trump falsely claimed that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were “eating the pets” of local residents. This cruel fabrication not only stoked fear and division but also had devastating real-world consequences: bomb threats, harassment, and a community gripped by fear.
Yet behind this shocking lie lies a much larger truth: Haitian families in Springfield sought refuge from hardship and persecution, only to be scapegoated in one of the most hateful political myths of our time.
It’s easy to feel disheartened by the toxic lies that have come to define modern politics. But this year, we have reason to hope. Thanks to a four-year campaign by Compassion in Politics, a historic victory has been achieved in July: the Welsh Government has committed to ban lying in politics.
This groundbreaking legislation, to be introduced before the next election, will make Wales the first country in the UK – and one of the first in the world – to outlaw political deception. By holding candidates and elected officials accountable, this law will begin to restore public trust and ensure that truth-telling is not just a moral duty but a legal one.
Our campaign was powered by members like you, who refused to accept that deceit is the price of politics. Together, we proved that change is possible – even in the face of a broken system.
As Jennifer Nadel, our Co-Director, put it:
“Public confidence in politicians is at an all-time low. This is the beginning of a political reset. Voters expect and deserve honesty, and now, in Wales, they will have it.”
But this is just the start. We’re working to take this victory nationwide, and with your help, we can make lying in politics a thing of the past.
Join us today to be part of this movement for a more truthful, compassionate future. Together, we can ensure that politics is a force for good, where hope, honesty, and humanity prevail.
Thank you for standing with us.
With optimism and gratitude,
Compassion in Politics