Major risk as aide rebukes boss over clichés
John Major was rebuked by his personal private secretary for using too many clichés and redundant phrases in his speeches, today's newly-released archives reveal.
Andrew Turnbull, now Lord Turnbull, criticised his boss for duplicating adjectives such as “complete and full”, “crudely and brutally” and “doubt and hesitant”, and for over-using “self evident”.
“If something is self-evident it can simply be stated,” pointed our Mr Turnbull, who added that by pointing out such traits he was “at risk of having a cushion thrown at me”.
Mr Major, who had been in office for only two months, replied: “I don’t have a cushion to hand. You are right – I am too verbose sometimes, with unnecessary addition.”