'HARDWORKING' has become the buzz word (not that it is a word) of British politics in 2013.

The Conservatives have made it the centre piece of their party conference this week but politicians from all the major parties are constantly telling us they are on the side of 'hardworking people'.

But what does it actually mean?

It strikes us that - in some hands - the phrase is nothing more than a way of creating division among the electorate.

Therefore, everyone in a job is 'hardworking' and everyone on benefits is getting something for nothing.

It is, of course, a nonsense but it fits perfectly with the prevailing 21st century view of life where there are no grey areas, where everyone and everything is either one thing or another.

Is someone who has worked and paid taxes for 30-odd years but is then made redundant getting something for nothing?

Is someone employed in an office who does the bare minimum required of them day in day out 'hardworking'?

Politicians have always enjoyed finding convenient labels for people, hence their desperation to appeal to 'Mondeo Man' or 'Worcester Woman' in recent years.

But at least those stereotypes had a bit of research behind them. 'Hardworking people' is just a vague phrase that means nothing.

Perhaps our politicians need to work a little harder to explain to whom they are really trying to appeal.