For people whose tools of the trade are words, politicians can also be pretty sloppy at times with their use of language. Here are my five least favourite words or phrases that I would beg ministers and others to stop using in 2007:

Face-up - we are constantly being asked to "face-up to challenges/difficult decisions" This seems to be used when a government policy is under pressure, and allows a minister to portray any opposition as being reactionary or spineless

Debate - often used by politicians when pressed to give a straight answer on an issue where they either disagree with the official line, or don't know what it is: "we need a real debate about this issue"

About - popular in Number Ten, this is a clever way of taking a question or issue, completely changing tack and avoiding having to make an answer: "the ID card debate isn't about civil liberties, it's about modernism"

Britain's hard-working families - this is really included for nostalgic reasons, as it has lost some popularity this year. It was a real favourite of Gordon's at the last election, had genuine appeal among floating Daily Mail voters, and irritated pretty much everyone else not `fortunate' enough to be in a stable marital relationship with kids

Going forward - my least favourite, and one which began life with the management consultants. It is totally meaningless.

I'm sure there are more out there. The real challenge is to use them all in one (fictional) sentence, so here goes:

Robinson: "Minister, do you think that Britain should join the euro?"

Minister: "Well, Nick, this isn't about what I think; it's about what's right for Britain's hard working families. I do think we need a real debate about this issue, and to face-up to the real challenges going forward."

http://bread-and-circuses.net