I'm glad you've asked me that...

Just answer the question!

How often do you shout, or maybe mutter, that, at the radio or the TV?

Way too much in the world of political communications is based on obfuscation and avoiding risk, rather than on taking the chance to say something positive and to inspire people that change is possible.

I think it’s because a vast chunk of public relations is based on damage limitation, where saying nothing is better than making waves.

 A more progressive political culture would mean public statements and public media scrutiny would be seen as an opportunity, rather than an ordeal to be survived.

After all, if you’re not convinced by the power of your own arguments, then why go into politics in the first place?

Another part of the problem is the relentless pace of 24/7 rolling coverage, which makes it hard for those in the middle of the maelstrom to see the wood from the trees. It means that bad decisions are made on a regular basis.

Take Rishi Sunak’s U-turn on attending the COP27 climate summit.

It’s clearly good news for Britain and for climate policy that he’s going.

But who advised him in the first place, that his original decision to skip the meeting was a good plan?

Did no-one foresee the criticism it would produce, or the unwanted distraction it would generate?

It’s utterly baffling.

Communication is an important part of politics and it really needs to be better.

The sneering fascination with Matt Hancock’s decision to appear on I’m a Celebrity is predictable, and probably warranted. I’m sure he’s doing it for his own ends.

But it’s not a bad idea to try to reach millions of people who aren’t interested in politics.

If celebrity and popular culture can be used to encourage debate about important political ideas, then I’m all for it.

And climate change should be top of the list.