The recent circus that surrounds the premiership of the British government has brought near constant attention to the words coming from 10 Downing Street. Challenging as it is these days to take any political rhetoric seriously, how our leaders employ language should be scrutinised, to shed light on their efforts to appear credible to the public through their deliberate use of devices.

In Rishi Sunak’s first speech as Prime Minister yesterday, the newly appointed Tory leader had one urgent imperative in addressing the British public: to project the image of a solid leader, who can be trusted to shepherd the UK through the intense and compounding economic crisis it faces this winter.

In the speech, Sunak makes observable use of a device known as the ‘rule of three’, which employs three elements—words, syllables, points, examples—to have a reinforcing effect on the receiver. The device operates on the principle that three of any entity is satisfying, as it presents an easily perceptible and pleasing pattern to the person who receives it.

A useful analogy to explain the strength of the device is that the third leg of a tripod is crucial to the stability of its structure. One of any thing is merely one; two presents a possible pattern; and three secures the pattern. As a structural device of language, the rule of three is employed in the device known as the tricolon, in any instance where three words or clauses form a triadic structure in crafted phrasing.

Sunak’s speech is littered with tricolons, which actively reinforce his messaging:

‘Right now our country is facing a profound economic crisis.’
‘I will unite our country, not with words, but with action.’
’This government will have integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level.’
‘Trust is earned. And I will earn yours.’
‘Levelling up and building an economy that embraces the opportunities of Brexit, where businesses invest, innovate, and create jobs.’
’So I stand here before you ready to lead our country into the future.
To put your needs above politics.
To reach out and build a government that represents the very best traditions of my party.’

By design, the speech is intended to give an impression of stability to a justifiably rattled British public. Whether Sunak can actually deliver on the promise of the device, remains to be seen.