Alastair Campbell

Goes to that point I'm saying earlier about deeply concerned and why I hate it so viscerally as a phrase.

Because it's all about the vibe.

It's all about the feels.

It's all about, are you angry about something?

I'm angry about something.

Let's be angry together.

Sort it out.

Not interested in that, mate.

I just want to stir the pot and shake things up.

That is not what public service is about.

That's not what politics is about.

You go to a doctor because you want to be made better.

You don't go to a doctor so the doctor can just empathize with your particular pain.

And the same is true of politics.

Empathy is really important.

It's one of the preconditions for successful elections.

But if that's all you've got,

If that's all you got, if all you are is an echo chamber of the angst of your nation, then you are not a big part, a big part of the nation.

Maybe not the majority, but a big part.

And listening to minority voices is really important, particularly minority voices you disagree with.