A politician's public stance and true feelings are often different.
会議では建前ばかりで、本音が聞けなかった。
At the meeting it was all official positions; I couldn't hear anyone's real thoughts.
framework-raising ceremony
Only when written 建前 / 建て前
Traditional ceremony held when the framework of a building is erected. Restricted to kanji forms 建前 and 建て前.
新築の家の建前には、近所の人も招かれた。
Neighbors were also invited to the framework-raising ceremony for the new house.
He's just saying it for form's sake; his real feelings seem different.
The framework-raising ceremony for the new house is scheduled for next month.
Officially he isn't opposed, but in reality he doesn't agree either.
The carpenters held a framework-raising ceremony on that plot of land.
内心 is what one really feels inside, while 建前 is the official stance or facade shown to others.
建前 is the official stance or surface principle presented to the public, while 実情 is the true situation that may differ from it.
Rare variant using 立; may be encountered in older texts.
Rare variant with okurigana; may be encountered in older texts.