Evolved≥ 5 years between receipts
At least 5 years between the before and after receipts. Positions often genuinely change over that long a stretch.
The rules
How badges are earned.
Every badge on this site is backed by a public, objective criterion. The label is a statement of fact tied to specific receipts, not opinion. If a receipt is retracted or falsified, the badge is removed within 48 hours.
Flip-flop duration tiers
Every documented flip-flop carries a duration badge that quantifies the time between the before and after receipts. The tier is computed from the two dates, not declared, so the label is as falsifiable as the receipts themselves.
Walked back1 year to 5 years
Between 1 and 5 years. Substantive reconsideration, but still on the record as a reversal.
U-turn1 month to 1 year
Between 1 month and 1 year. A political reversal within the same policy cycle.
Same-week flip1 day to 30 days
Between 1 and 30 days. The position changed faster than most news cycles.
Hours-later flipLess than 24 hours
Less than 24 hours between the two receipts. A same-day contradiction on the record.
MLA-level badges
FLIP FLOPTone: Negative
Flip Flop
The MLA has publicly held two (or more) materially different positions on the same policy question, documented on the record.
Earning criteria
Two verbatim receipts on the same topic that directly contradict each other. Both receipts must be from the MLA's own mouth (Hansard, social media, published interview). Both receipts must be dated. The contradiction must be on a point of policy or factual claim, not tone.
CONSISTENTTone: Positive
Consistent
The MLA has maintained the same stated position on a tracked topic across multiple dated receipts, including under changed political circumstances.
Earning criteria
At least three dated receipts on the same topic, the earliest and latest separated by six months or more, all stating the same policy position. Receipts must include at least one from after a significant political change (election, leadership change, caucus shift).
UNDER REVIEWTone: Neutral
Under Review
A claim or receipt is currently being verified. Nothing is published until verification completes.
Earning criteria
A researcher has logged a potential receipt but either the source has not been archived, the transcript has not been confirmed against Hansard video, or the contradicting receipt has not been located. No flip-flop or consistency claim is made while under review.
RETRACTIONTone: Neutral
Retraction Issued
The MLA has publicly retracted a prior statement. The retraction is itself a receipt.
Earning criteria
A dated, public statement by the MLA in which they explicitly withdraw or correct an earlier statement, with the retracted statement identified. The badge is neutral: retractions are documented, not judged.
FORCEDTone: Negative
Forced Retraction
The MLA issued a retraction after a documented external pressure event — public backlash, media scrutiny, a caucus disciplinary action, or a Speaker's ruling.
Earning criteria
Three receipts in the documented chain: (1) the original statement; (2) a dated pressure event (news coverage, opposition response, caucus censure, Speaker's ruling, or formal complaint filed); (3) the retraction, issued within 14 days of the pressure event. All three must be linked to primary sources. The badge describes sequence, not motive.
APOLOGYTone: Neutral
Apology Issued
The MLA has issued a formal public apology for a statement or action, either voluntarily or under pressure.
Earning criteria
A dated, public statement by the MLA in which they explicitly apologize for a specific earlier statement or action. The apology must be linked to primary source (Hansard, press release, social-media post, or video). The apologized-for item is identified. Whether the apology is accompanied by action is noted in context but not required for the badge.
DELETEDTone: Neutral
Deleted Record
An original post has been deleted by the MLA after it was archived. The archive copy is preserved.
Earning criteria
Original URL returns 404, or the post has been edited or removed from the MLA's own account, while an archive.org or archive.today snapshot predates the deletion. Both URLs are cited on the receipt card.
PENDINGTone: Neutral
Pending Verification
The MLA's record is still being compiled. No receipts have been published yet.
Earning criteria
The MLA page is live with public-record header information (name, constituency, party history, first elected) but no receipts have passed verification. The page renders with a visible note that receipts are pending.