Main content

Read My Lips: Why Politicians Speak the Way They Do

Why do politicians find 'sorry' the hardest word? Why does everything have to be repeated three times? Jonathan Powell uncovers the secret language of politicians.

Tony Blair's former Chief of Staff Jonathan Powell explores the principles which underlie some of the most famous political speeches of the last century. Why do politicians reiterate things three times? Why do they never say "sorry"? How much work goes into the most innocuous phrase? Interviews include American pollster Frank Luntz, and impressionist Rory Bremner.

Available now

58 minutes

Last on

Sat 14 Feb 2015 20:00

Broadcast

  • Sat 14 Feb 2015 20:00

Featured in...