I’m beginning to miss former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Resolute in her politics (hateful though the consequences may have been for our society) I don’t recall much if any occasions where she swerved around the point.

She was confident in her opinions and direct in her communication of them.

Contrast that with today’s prime minister who is so enslaved by advisers he thinks he can avoid questions by not answering them and that nobody will notice.

When in 1983 Margaret Thatcher had an operation on her eye, she was clear about having it done privately.

She gave an interview that sounded like she was promoting a restaurant – describing a lovely little local clinic in Windsor that gave simply marvellous service.

5 star review to the staff! (I may of course be embroidering my memory of that but I think I captured the tone).

On my loathsome-ometer, she scores pretty highly, but Prime Minister Rishi Sunak just zipped to the top on Sunday.

Asked by a BBC journalist whether he has a private GP, Sunak waffled on about how his father was a GP and how great our NHS is etc etc. By refusing to answer a simple question, he looks weak and untrustworthy.

Of course he has a private GP. He’s rich. Our NHS is falling apart.

There’s no way if he, his wife or either of his daughters needed an appointment that he’d wait a year for it.

I’d consider banning all private health but you could argue that our Prime Ministers absolutely should have instant access to healthcare.

After all, they do have that big red button to press in an emergency and surely they ought to be mentally and physically in tip-top condition for situations like those!

Politicians who refuse to answer direct questions hold us all in contempt.

And yet in this increasingly media-dominated world, some seem to admire a conversational dance move I’m going to call ‘the politician’s pivot’.

Here’s an example:

Reporter: What did you have for breakfast minister?

Minister: I think that breakfast is simply wonderful – my family is a big fan of breakfast

Reporter: of course, I’m aware of your views on breakfast, but can you just tell me what you yourself had for breakfast?

Minister: It’s absolutely critical, and I’ve been very clear about this, that this government supports sausages. My personal record speaks for itself.

Reporter: ah – so you had sausages for breakfast?

Minister: I am going to be absolutely clear that breakfast is one of this government’s core values.

Reporter: Your cereal refusal to answer my question is noted

Editor in BBC Reporter’s earpiece: you’re sacked.

This year brings elections. In May 2023 there are local elections and hanging over us all is the potential for a General Election.

I can only hope that all candidates in all parties will show the public some respect and answer questions honestly!