Yah Boo Heune
by Graham Davies
There is something of the Schoolyard in the way that Chris Heune presents himself. Nick Clegg was certainly stunned by the bullying nature of his personal attacks during the last LibDem leadership contest.
Heune hasn' t grown up much since. Okay, he had a sudden attack of sanity and decided not to call William Hague a skinhead in his conference speech. But calling the Tories "the Party of Crime" was just puerile.
This was someone who is happier with the immediate rush of a juvenile soundbite than he is with the hard work of suggesting solutions that actually work.
Maybe he was just getting his retaliation in first. He is almost certainly going to lose his seat in the Genearal Election....to a Tory. How sad it is for us all that this was his last conference speech as a Member of Parliament.
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Sunday, 20 September 2009
Clegg's Clothes
by Graham Davies
It's very easy for a Party Leader to present bold new ideas when he knows that there is no chance of his party forming the next government. Or any government within his lifetime. That is the simultaneously freeing and frustrating position that Nick Clegg finds himself in as his party conference starts.
The speeches at LibDem conferences are often more interesting than than those you hear from the Big Two conferences. This mainly because the speakers (sometimes including Shadow Cabinet members) feel free to say stuff that does not slavishly agree with everything that the Leadership says. The debates actually involve people debating things.
In the last 24 hours, Clegg has ignited this presentational cauldron by being far more stark in his expression of the necessitiy for huge cuts, even in the NHS, allbeit in it's beauracracy rather than front-line service provision.
But this is not a new way of presenting the issue. With the Tories getting more careful by the minute about the C Word, Clegg is merely saying what Cameron used to say on a regular basis about 18 months ago.
Essentially, he has stolen Cameron's presentational clothes. And they fit him rather well.
by Graham Davies
It's very easy for a Party Leader to present bold new ideas when he knows that there is no chance of his party forming the next government. Or any government within his lifetime. That is the simultaneously freeing and frustrating position that Nick Clegg finds himself in as his party conference starts.
The speeches at LibDem conferences are often more interesting than than those you hear from the Big Two conferences. This mainly because the speakers (sometimes including Shadow Cabinet members) feel free to say stuff that does not slavishly agree with everything that the Leadership says. The debates actually involve people debating things.
In the last 24 hours, Clegg has ignited this presentational cauldron by being far more stark in his expression of the necessitiy for huge cuts, even in the NHS, allbeit in it's beauracracy rather than front-line service provision.
But this is not a new way of presenting the issue. With the Tories getting more careful by the minute about the C Word, Clegg is merely saying what Cameron used to say on a regular basis about 18 months ago.
Essentially, he has stolen Cameron's presentational clothes. And they fit him rather well.
Saturday, 5 September 2009
Flimsy Farage
by Graham Davies
When being interviewed on television, it is vital that you have a clear grasp of what you need to defend, as well as what you want to attack. Nigel Farage broke that rule in an embarassing appearance on BBC Breakfast yesterday. His credibility was severely damaged, despite the polite gentleness of the interviewer.
Apparently, he feels that he ought to challenge the Speaker because John Bercow epitomises the twisted Expenses Culture that once prevailed in the House of Commons. He was bullish and confident about this point. His precision and impact dipped dramatically when challenged about the £2 million of expenses and allowances claims he himself has made over the last 10 years as an MEP.
Bizarrely, he even refused to publish the details of these claims "unless the European Parliament supplies the figures".
The whole interview was a classic performance of political pomposity, by an individual who combines limited intellect with limitless lust for publicity.
If you are ever interviewed by any media, practise with a trusted colleague, and get them to ask the most awkward question imaginable....one that could possibly expose the weakness of your position if answered badly.
Do that, and you will perform better than at least one Party Leader.
by Graham Davies
When being interviewed on television, it is vital that you have a clear grasp of what you need to defend, as well as what you want to attack. Nigel Farage broke that rule in an embarassing appearance on BBC Breakfast yesterday. His credibility was severely damaged, despite the polite gentleness of the interviewer.
Apparently, he feels that he ought to challenge the Speaker because John Bercow epitomises the twisted Expenses Culture that once prevailed in the House of Commons. He was bullish and confident about this point. His precision and impact dipped dramatically when challenged about the £2 million of expenses and allowances claims he himself has made over the last 10 years as an MEP.
Bizarrely, he even refused to publish the details of these claims "unless the European Parliament supplies the figures".
The whole interview was a classic performance of political pomposity, by an individual who combines limited intellect with limitless lust for publicity.
If you are ever interviewed by any media, practise with a trusted colleague, and get them to ask the most awkward question imaginable....one that could possibly expose the weakness of your position if answered badly.
Do that, and you will perform better than at least one Party Leader.
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Election Debate?
by Graham Davies
I stand by my prediction in an earlier blog that Gordon Brown will never allow himself to take part in a televised Election Debate. I say this despite the brilliantly blackmailing announcement by Sky News that they will hold one whether he takes part or not.
He will come up with the usual excuses:
But the second reason remains the most compelling one: his ponderous, 20th Century style of presentation will be swept away by the Fast Gloss of Nick and Dave.....and perceived defeat in a head-to-head TV contest will merely accelerate his inevitable demise.
by Graham Davies
I stand by my prediction in an earlier blog that Gordon Brown will never allow himself to take part in a televised Election Debate. I say this despite the brilliantly blackmailing announcement by Sky News that they will hold one whether he takes part or not.
He will come up with the usual excuses:
- The House of Commons is the proper place to debate policy
- He wants to engage with real people, not other politicians
- A debate misleadingly implies that the Election is some sort of Presidential contest between individuals
But the second reason remains the most compelling one: his ponderous, 20th Century style of presentation will be swept away by the Fast Gloss of Nick and Dave.....and perceived defeat in a head-to-head TV contest will merely accelerate his inevitable demise.
Monday, 31 August 2009
Bye Bye Big Bore
by Graham Davies
Here is something that you won't have heard people saying over the last 3 days:
"Oh no! Surely they can't be stopping Big Brother? 10 series wasn't nearly enough. And all the hype and fuss that they managed to generate was always a fair reflection of high quality."
Presenting yourself on television is a deeply unnatural activity. Professional TV presenters learn how to focus their words and their personae to make sure that the viewing audience's watching experience is as good as possible.
But "reality" TV participants are told to be "natural". This instruction nicely ignores the fact that living your life for with several hundred thousand people watching you is perhaps the most un-natural activity that civilised society has yet invented.
Some advice: if you ever have to appear on TV, make sure that you prepare and focus on precisely why you are doing it. Make yourself a brief flash of light that momentarily brightens the viewer's day. Being "natural" is not the best way of leveraging 4 minutes of national exposure.
The problem with Big Brother was not that it was cheap TV that celebrated the worst behaviour of unpleasantly dysfunctional people. The real problem was that 24 hour exposure of "natural" human interaction is just plain boring.
by Graham Davies
Here is something that you won't have heard people saying over the last 3 days:
"Oh no! Surely they can't be stopping Big Brother? 10 series wasn't nearly enough. And all the hype and fuss that they managed to generate was always a fair reflection of high quality."
Presenting yourself on television is a deeply unnatural activity. Professional TV presenters learn how to focus their words and their personae to make sure that the viewing audience's watching experience is as good as possible.
But "reality" TV participants are told to be "natural". This instruction nicely ignores the fact that living your life for with several hundred thousand people watching you is perhaps the most un-natural activity that civilised society has yet invented.
Some advice: if you ever have to appear on TV, make sure that you prepare and focus on precisely why you are doing it. Make yourself a brief flash of light that momentarily brightens the viewer's day. Being "natural" is not the best way of leveraging 4 minutes of national exposure.
The problem with Big Brother was not that it was cheap TV that celebrated the worst behaviour of unpleasantly dysfunctional people. The real problem was that 24 hour exposure of "natural" human interaction is just plain boring.
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Ted's Tainted Dream
by Graham Davies
He was the only one of four brothers to survive beyond the age of 50. He had to carry a particularly heavy Torch of political idealism all on his own for more than half a century of public service.
He had a knack for getting people to sit round a table and consider compromise without making them feel that they were conceding their principles. And he was a fine set-piece political presenter, who could make lofty ideals seem to be practical possibilities rather than hot air.
He forced himself out of his sick-bed to perform one last big speech at the Democratic Convention last year. He thus ensured that he could be satisfied with the feeling that he had said all that really needed to be said. This emotion was never within reach for any of his prematurely departed brothers.
But the saddest fact is that all his glorious words were continually tainted by his drinking, womanising and general lack of judgement in his personal life. His Personal Presentation Brand had really been in a state of constant decay from the moment he gor into a car with Mary-Jo Kopechne.
When all is said and done, nearly all the fine words that Kennedy has said have been hugely devalued by just some of the things he has done.
by Graham Davies
He was the only one of four brothers to survive beyond the age of 50. He had to carry a particularly heavy Torch of political idealism all on his own for more than half a century of public service.
He had a knack for getting people to sit round a table and consider compromise without making them feel that they were conceding their principles. And he was a fine set-piece political presenter, who could make lofty ideals seem to be practical possibilities rather than hot air.
He forced himself out of his sick-bed to perform one last big speech at the Democratic Convention last year. He thus ensured that he could be satisfied with the feeling that he had said all that really needed to be said. This emotion was never within reach for any of his prematurely departed brothers.
But the saddest fact is that all his glorious words were continually tainted by his drinking, womanising and general lack of judgement in his personal life. His Personal Presentation Brand had really been in a state of constant decay from the moment he gor into a car with Mary-Jo Kopechne.
When all is said and done, nearly all the fine words that Kennedy has said have been hugely devalued by just some of the things he has done.
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Silence is not enough
by Graham Davies
There is an old and hackneyed piece of presentational advice that is often trotted out : It is better to stay quiet and make people think that you might be stupid, than to open your mouth and leave them in no doubt.
Yes, very funny. And if you have nothing to add to the silence, silence is still best. However, reliance on silence as your distinctive presentational stance is just not good enough if you are a Chief Executive or a Prime Minister.
Gordon Brown has only today said something, at last, about the despicable release of the Lockerbie bomber. This is the sort of issue that a PM must have an immediate opinion on....an opinion that he can convey to his nation-wide audience at the earliest opportunity.
It is a clear mark of his lack of presentational prioritisation that he did find something to say about England's Ashes victory, while at the same time staying unpleasantly silent for 5 days about allegations of behind-the-scenes deals with Gadaffi.
When you are a leader, reactive slience is not enough. When an issue of such importance burns its way into your public's eye, you have to decide on...and present...a pro-active Micro-Message as soon as possible.
Or you can be like Gordon...quietly sliding into professional oblivion.
by Graham Davies
There is an old and hackneyed piece of presentational advice that is often trotted out : It is better to stay quiet and make people think that you might be stupid, than to open your mouth and leave them in no doubt.
Yes, very funny. And if you have nothing to add to the silence, silence is still best. However, reliance on silence as your distinctive presentational stance is just not good enough if you are a Chief Executive or a Prime Minister.
Gordon Brown has only today said something, at last, about the despicable release of the Lockerbie bomber. This is the sort of issue that a PM must have an immediate opinion on....an opinion that he can convey to his nation-wide audience at the earliest opportunity.
It is a clear mark of his lack of presentational prioritisation that he did find something to say about England's Ashes victory, while at the same time staying unpleasantly silent for 5 days about allegations of behind-the-scenes deals with Gadaffi.
When you are a leader, reactive slience is not enough. When an issue of such importance burns its way into your public's eye, you have to decide on...and present...a pro-active Micro-Message as soon as possible.
Or you can be like Gordon...quietly sliding into professional oblivion.
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