Unpredictable Labour means Google searches

May I suggest a solution to the conundrum you touch on in your ‘Question of the Fortnight’, Issue 501 (‘Can Google predict the General Election?’). In it, you wonder why Labour can be so far behind in the polls, butt so far ahead in Google searches. I think it’s because what could happen to Labour at this election is so unpredictable, and therefore lends itself to more questions that people want Google to answer. By the way, I’m not making a political point here. I’m very much a floating voter. Gordon Martin

Visiting Google’s Election site ( www.snipca.com/24240) was an eye opener, and not always in a good way. One of the most searched-for questions was ‘What is a general election?’. I know we’re meant to live in an age of political apathy, but this was still depressing. Perhaps the question was asked mostly by young children, in which case – fair enough. But nobody over the age of 13 should ask it without also hanging their head in shame. Paul Butcher