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George Foulkes: Will the Prime Minister tell us what word he would legitimately use to describe those Cabinet Ministers who, while professing loyalty to him, are setting up telephone lines in campaign offices for the second round of the election? John Major: I have no knowledge of that. I can say that the speed at which these matters can be done is a tribute to privatisation.

John Major#16

PoliticsHumorLoyaltySarcasm

About this quote

What does it mean?
The author deflects a question about disloyal ministers by making a dry joke about privatization speed.
In plain terms
He jokes about speed of betrayal instead of answering directly.
What can you take from it?
Humor can deflect difficult questions in politics.

Where it applies

  • parliamentary questions
  • political scandals

Putting it to work

  • wit
  • strategic deflection

Questions to consider

  • When is humor appropriate in politics?
  • How do you answer difficult questions?

Another view

Avoiding hard questions can erode trust.

More from John Major

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  2. Whether you agree with me, disagree with me, like me or loathe me, don't bind my hands when I am negotiating on behalf of the British people.

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  3. We will do precisely what the British nation has done all through its history when it had its back to the wall - turn round and fight for the things it believe…

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