OPINION: How to win politicians and influence them

Ms Ward arrived in a sharp suit and delivered a speech that essentially spelt out New Labour's agenda for young people: the New Deal, the fast-tracking of persistent young offenders, a drugs strategy, social inclusion and so on. She did not appear to deviate from a presentation that had clearly been prepared by someone else. Inevitably she struggled to field some of the critical questions that were immediately fired towards her.

We should have valued her presence and accepted the limitations of her contribution. Where is Ms Ward now? She is well established within the House of Commons, serving her time and increasingly likely to become a minister. It would not surprise me if, one day, she picks up the youth work portfolio. And what will she remember about the youth service? That they were the outfit that gave her such a hard time when she ventured out on that first occasion. I do not know Ward but I suspect she does not have fond memories of youth workers. She is precisely the kind of middle-level politician whose support we need.