Beware the Background

by Graham Davies

Brown had the gravitas and Cameron had the energy. Those were the two most obvious differences between the speeches that launched the election campaign proper.

Cameron now even manages to make indignation sound attractive, without ever allowing it to deteriorate into a schoolboy whine. His choice of location, with the south of the Thames, with the camera pointing aspirationally towards Westminster, even had a touch of the John Major Soapbox about it.

Gordon Brown did not have to agonise where to make his own speech from. Standing out side 10 Downing Street says I'M HERE, YOU'RE NOT better than anywhere else.


But they both need to think about their backgrounds. I don't mean Old Etonian versus Son of the Manse. I mean the people they choose to be seen with when presenting.

Cameron chose a group of young PPCs who clearly have not been playing the game for long...hence them frequently looking looking away into the middle distance as their Leader trotted out something else that they have heard many times before.

On the other hand, Brown chose to speak in front of his battle-scarred Imperial Guard. Jack Straw's supportive smile was welded on with a metallic intesity....and Harriet Harman's approving nods make her bounce up and down like an over-keen pupil who still thinks she can be Head Girl one day.

Their professional efficiency had the air of a group who have been on duty for just a bit too long.

So advice for both main presenters: Dave, find a few older people to look keen on what you are saying. Gordon, find a few younger people to do the same job. If you can.