OPINION - Small boats week suggests Tories have settled on a core vote strategy

Government is difficult but there is at least one basic principle to political communication: talk about popular things. If the economy is growing, that’s all that matters. If exam results are up, what could be more important than our children’s education? If NHS waiting lists are falling, this is evidence of the plan working. The converse is also true: don’t draw attention to your failings – that’s what the opposition is for.