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9 April 2015updated 26 Sep 2015 7:01am

Nick Boles learns a valuable lesson in not asking silly rhetorical questions on Twitter

Planning minister scores a solid own goal.

By Media Mole

Ask yourself this. Who does Vladimir Putin want to see running Britain after 7th May?

— Nick Boles (@NickBolesMP) April 9, 2015

Pity the poor planning minister. While Nick Boles isn’t known for being among the coalition’s sharpest, he is something of a tool; as evidenced by his hamfisted attempt to score points around the Trident debate this morning by asking the above question.

We know what he thinks the correct answer is: Ed Miliband, because David Cameron has notoriously been so great at foreign affairs during his time as PM. But, of course, asking such a rhetorical question on Twitter always invites answers…

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@NickBolesMP Vladimir Putin

— WelshRacer (@Welshracer) April 9, 2015

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THANK YOU

.@NickBolesMP H from Steps, maybe?

— David Whitley (@mrdavidwhitley) April 9, 2015

@NickBolesMP @ostercywriter Noel Edmonds ?

— James MacDonald (@jamesma51284102) April 9, 2015

@mrjamesob is it Jeremy Clarkson?

— Henry Scowcroft (@oh_henry) April 9, 2015

@NickBolesMP You? Is this a trick question?

— Julie Carlisle (@JuliecarJulie) April 9, 2015

Alan Shearer? @NickBolesMP

— Ern Malley (@loveandgarbage) April 9, 2015

Barry Scott from the Cillit Bang adverts? @NickBolesMP

— Eddie Robson (@EddieRobson) April 9, 2015

@NickBolesMP Is it astrologer to the stars, Jonathan Cainer?

— Huw (@ed_son) April 9, 2015

…though of course, the best answers were even more to the point:

.@NickBolesMP you are a moron, there is no other explanation for this

— Pete Clarke (@creativeblock_) April 9, 2015

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