Impudence zone

We have become accustomed in recent years to the idea that spin is all. None the less, the suggestion that the Dome has been a success is breathtaking, even by modern standards of public impudence.

We have become accustomed in recent years to the idea that spin is all. None the less, the suggestion that the Dome has been a success is breathtaking, even by modern standards of public impudence.

Yes, some visitors told market researchers outside the Dome that they had enjoyed themselves. But let's not forget that this unprecedented white elephant cost a fortune, its contents were breathtaking only in their banality and the number of visitors was about half the original prediction. Indeed, for the same outlay, it would have been better to have handed each visitor £15 and sent them home again.

It is all very well for the Dome's defenders to bleat about the "record" six million visitors lured to an attraction and to complain about "unrealistic" expectations. But if the break-even point was unrealistic, the Dome should not have been built. Just for once, it would be nice if those in public office could admit the truth: the Dome was a disaster. To present it as a success is to insult us all.