The context defence can all too easily be thrown about to cover a mistake

CONTEXT is important.

When politicians get it wrong, we often reach for the classic “context” defence to explain why our stupid / insensitive / offensive comments weren’t actually as stupid / insensitive / offensive as you thought they were. And often the “context” defence is perfectly legitimate.

Take for example the recent remarks of Michael Noonan who said that for many, emigration was a lifestyle choice. He claimed that the remarks were taken out of context and was largely ignored in the media storm that followed.