Why insiders trade in tittle-tattle

Unfounded rumours about well-known politicians are likely to continue to flourish despite efforts to legislate against invasion of privacy. Ill-founded rumours about Prime Minister Major having an affair echo similar stories about Prime Minister Wilson in 1964. Such gossip seems to arise when the public perceive the government as incompetent. Reaction to the gossip about Major has brought all Members of Parliament together in condemnation of the press so that the Press Bill was passed by a large majority. However, gagging the press will not stop rumours.