kite flying

See also: kiteflying

English

Noun

kite flying (uncountable)

1. (politics) The tactic whereby a politician, usually through the media and often by way of an intentional leak, raises an idea to gauge the public reaction to it.
   • 2014 June 5, Adam Wagner, “Human rights reform ... Labour reveals its hand”, in UK Human Rights Blog‎^[1]:

     If implemented, Labour's embryonic proposal is unlikely to do anything to resolve that debate, as judges will do what they are entitled to do – ignore the guidance and apply the Human Rights Act. But if Labour's proposal is, as I suspect it is, an exercise in political kite flying, then it may signal something more significant.