Ed Miliband’s first speech as leader

I couldn’t listen live to the first speech by Ed Miliband as Labour’s new leader because I was chairing a meeting at Consumer Focus addressed by Lib Dem Minister Ed Davey (he was very good). But I have now heard every minute of the near hour-long speech and, if you haven’t, you can check it put here:

It was a very competent and assured performance that covered all the right issues and pressed all the right buttons. I particularly liked his attack on inequality in our society. He was right to make clear what he opposed about New Labour as well as what he valued about it – something his brother would have found harder to do.

But the speech lacked a certain passion – except perhaps when he challenged the silly “Red Ed” tag.  This performance was not up there with the best of Neil Kinnock or Tony Blair. And, understandably at this stage, it was missing policy as opposed to positioning. But he has time and I’m sure that he will grow in confidence and authority.

As a public speaker myself, I’m always interested in the style of  a performance as well as the content and I have a section on my web site entitled “How To Make A Good Speech”. Like any good public speaker, Ed Miliband used a variety of techniques including one known technically as chiasmus when he asserted: “You’ve elected me leader and lead I will”.


 




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