In December 2021 the British public (and a few nerdy onlookers) witnessed a rare thing: the near-perfect political apology. Allegra Stratton, then the government spokeswoman on Cop26, was filmed outside her house in tears. Stratton explained why what she did had been wrong, acknowledged the offence caused, expressed regret (to last “for the rest of her days”) and, crucially, handed in her resignation. What is more, she did all this just one day after the release of the offending video. Her apology encompassed all the essential components that are so often lacking when politicians use the ‘s’ word: remorse, regret, personal responsibility, action and timing.  Apologies seem to be coming at the public thick and fast, whether it’s Prince Charles regretting Britain’s role in the slave trade or Priti Patel apologising “if” her behaviour upset people. There is value in an apology when it is delivered correctly (the video of Stratton was well received in a dire situation), but too many politi...