Yvonne Ridley, journalist and former Taliban captive, is standing in the European elections for the “anti-war” RESPECT Coalition, the organisation currently caring for George Galloway, former Labour MP.

The strange history of this woman is in itself worth pointing up, but today I just wanted to draw your attention to her use of language:

“I was overwhelmed when Respect asked me to stand for them, especially because I’m on my home ground. I’m in uncharted territory by standing in the elections and for a new political party, but we have a huge groundswell of support.”

This is a professional writer: three clichés, a contradiction-in-terms, and a gross exaggeration, crammed into two sentences. Now that‘s talent.