This number has been bandied around a lot post-referendum. It’s a statistical calculation used by the ‘failed’ side in most elections. It’s the fascinating thing about statistics. They really can say anything. By ‘fascinating’ read ‘frustrating’, ‘annoying’ or downright ‘misleading’.
You could use the same statistical method the other way round. That is , apportion all those who abstained (didn’t know, didn’t care, or didn’t make it to the polls) on the Brexit side.
Doing so we could conclude that 67% of the population didn’t vote Remain!!!!
In the hope at this point Remainers continue reading, I would say “stick with me, I’m writing here about statistics, not Brexit”. I’m using Brexit as an example of statistics in use.
Personally, I used a similar statistical argument after the May elections when I was aggrieved that the Tories were voted in. It’s not quite the same because we run a FPTP voting system so the Tories did actually only have 36% of the vote. I still used the argument and added the non-voters to the other side reducing the Tory leadership to representing only 16% of the electorate. Shocking huh?
Clever old stats. Marketeers, politicians; economists and businesses around the world rely on statistics to prove their point and to make life altering decisions. but statistics can say whatever you want. simple use and compare the numbers with different things to get your point across. I worked in Sales for a while I always managed to make the results sound positive , I just compared them with a different period or product or person….
We’re all human and we all have an opinion, so remember, assume everything you read is biased, even if it’s trying not to be. Even this!!!! 😉
