IF every lie, fib and fabrication uttered by MPs was a hanging offence you wouldn’t be able to move in Westminster for the gibbets.

Some voters have become so sick of the spin-doctored codswallop spoken by politicians they have stopped listening.

The rise of mavericks, such as Trump, Farage, and Corbyn can be partly attributed to their ability to at least sound as though they are speaking the language of ‘real’ people rather than the drivel that too often passes for political debate. 

It was pleasing to note this week that Jenny Chapman, the Labour candidate for the Darlington seat, can also speak candidly. Ms Chapman admits that with hindsight she could have been more vocal in support of campaigners opposing the closure of Crown Street Library and resources shifted to the Dolphin Centre, during her tenure as MP.

The main thrust of her argument seems to be that she didn’t offer more support because she knew the library was going to have to move no matter how passionate the opposition. One might draw the conclusion that she was wary of going head-to-head with the town’s Labour-led council or that she only supports causes which she feels are going to succeed. 

The Echo knows only too well that you sometimes have to support campaigns even if you suspect they’re doomed to fail. For example, we’ve been running a Save Crown Street Library campaign for months.

In fairness to Ms Chapman she has fiercely opposed NHS cuts across the region despite growing evidence that Government policy will play a big part in vital local services being downgraded or lost so she knows how it feels to be fighting against the odds. 

We applaud her willingness to admit that she could have acted differently over the library saga because we need honest, straight-talking MPs, but this may be a case when candour proves to be unpopular with voters.