Politicians Should Always Be Honest

IELTS Writing Task 2 with sample answer.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write at least 250 words.

Some think that politicians should always be honest while others feel that there are times when they must lie

Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.


Sample Answer:

Honesty is a virtue that is highly valued in the political realm. Politicians are expected to be truthful to their constituents and uphold a certain level of integrity in their practice. However, there is some debate on whether there are times when it is acceptable for a politician to lie. This essay will discuss both sides of this argument before outlining my own opinion.

On the one hand, it is generally accepted that a politician should always be honest. This is because a politician’s primary role is to represent the interests of the people and their trust in the political system. In order to do this, it is important for the politician to earn the trust of the people, and this can only be done through honest and open communication. If a politician is found to have lied, then their integrity and credibility are likely to be compromised, and the people’s trust in them is likely to be diminished.

On the other hand, there are times when it may be necessary for a politician to lie. This may be when the truth could cause political unrest or instability. For example, a politician may tell a lie to prevent a foreign power from taking advantage of sensitive information. In such cases, it may be necessary for a politician to lie in order to protect their country’s interests. Additionally, a politician may need to lie in order to protect their own political career. In such cases, the lie may be necessary in order to preserve the politician’s position of power and influence.

In my opinion, a politician should always strive to be honest in their dealings. This is because, ultimately, the trust of the people is essential for the health of the political system. Furthermore, a politician should not use lies as a means of protecting their own interests or preserving their position of power. Rather, a politician should always strive to act in the best interests of their constituents, and this means being honest and open in their dealings.