Comments on: Gordon’s speech – my verdict http://stuartbruce.biz/2008/09/gordons-speech.html Public relations, corporate communications and social media Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:33:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rob Skinner http://stuartbruce.biz/2008/09/gordons-speech.html/comment-page-1#comment-703 Rob Skinner Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:55:02 +0000 http://www.stuartbruce.eu/?p=270#comment-703 <p>Hi Stuart</p> <p>Interesting to see your thoughts on the big speech. My view, as someone who doesn't support any party, is that these set pieces rarely have the impact on ordinary voters that politicos would have us believe. (In part because broadcasters show so little of the action in news bulletins, preferring to give a running, opinionated commentary.) </p> <p>I'm surprised that Brown hasn't faced more criticism for the stunt of being introduced by his PR consultant wife. It wasn't just that it contradicted his jibe about not using family as stunts. It went against all those promises to abandon spin. </p> <p>Tony Blair sustained a lot of damage through Alastair Campbell's over zealous news management. But the Ruth Kelly resignation today is yet another example of how Gordon Brown is suffering from the opposite sin: incompetent and unprofessional media relations. Ultimately, that will have more impact than a conference speech, however brilliant.</p> <p>I happened to listen to the prime minister's back to back interviews this morning with 5 Live's Nicky Campbell and Today's James Naughtie. You could almost hear Brown wincing at Campbell's clumsy questions attacking almost every aspect of his personality. By contrast, he handled Naughtie's far more reasonable interview with considerable dignity. But I couldn't help feeling sorry for the man. And when a politician reaches that stage, you know the game is almost up. <br /> </p> Hi Stuart

Interesting to see your thoughts on the big speech. My view, as someone who doesn't support any party, is that these set pieces rarely have the impact on ordinary voters that politicos would have us believe. (In part because broadcasters show so little of the action in news bulletins, preferring to give a running, opinionated commentary.)

I'm surprised that Brown hasn't faced more criticism for the stunt of being introduced by his PR consultant wife. It wasn't just that it contradicted his jibe about not using family as stunts. It went against all those promises to abandon spin.

Tony Blair sustained a lot of damage through Alastair Campbell's over zealous news management. But the Ruth Kelly resignation today is yet another example of how Gordon Brown is suffering from the opposite sin: incompetent and unprofessional media relations. Ultimately, that will have more impact than a conference speech, however brilliant.

I happened to listen to the prime minister's back to back interviews this morning with 5 Live's Nicky Campbell and Today's James Naughtie. You could almost hear Brown wincing at Campbell's clumsy questions attacking almost every aspect of his personality. By contrast, he handled Naughtie's far more reasonable interview with considerable dignity. But I couldn't help feeling sorry for the man. And when a politician reaches that stage, you know the game is almost up.

]]> By: Stuart Bruce http://stuartbruce.biz/2008/09/gordons-speech.html/comment-page-1#comment-702 Stuart Bruce Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:19:09 +0000 http://www.stuartbruce.eu/?p=270#comment-702 <p>Hi Gerry, thanks for commenting. I didn't like the children as props line, because it sounded like 20th century politics rather than how politics is in 2008. What I didn't realise then is that GB had already used his own "children as props", which makes the accusation seem even more crass.</p> Hi Gerry, thanks for commenting. I didn't like the children as props line, because it sounded like 20th century politics rather than how politics is in 2008. What I didn't realise then is that GB had already used his own "children as props", which makes the accusation seem even more crass.

]]> By: gerry Harper http://stuartbruce.biz/2008/09/gordons-speech.html/comment-page-1#comment-701 gerry Harper Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:26:24 +0000 http://www.stuartbruce.eu/?p=270#comment-701 <p>Hi Stuart,</p> <p>I thought his speech was excellent and just what we needed . I thought the props joke was spot on . Sarah is known and has been seen before on tv, as is Cameron's wife. </p> <p>His kids aren't but Cameron's were used and their picture shown on the press and TV.</p> <p>Apart from that I agree with a lot of what you say !</p> <p>Best Wishes</p> <p>Gerry...</p> Hi Stuart,

I thought his speech was excellent and just what we needed . I thought the props joke was spot on . Sarah is known and has been seen before on tv, as is Cameron's wife.

His kids aren't but Cameron's were used and their picture shown on the press and TV.

Apart from that I agree with a lot of what you say !

Best Wishes

Gerry…

]]> By: Simon Dickson http://stuartbruce.biz/2008/09/gordons-speech.html/comment-page-1#comment-700 Simon Dickson Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:08:03 +0000 http://www.stuartbruce.eu/?p=270#comment-700 <p>How he delivered it was always going to be interesting, although maybe only to politics watchers like myself.</p> <p>He started on blistering form, straight to the hard stuff. And I quite liked the oblique nature of the Cameron reference. For a while, it looked like that was going to be the only dig at the Tories - which would certainly have been an interesting strategy. A bit much to expect, though, as it turned out.</p> <p>There's good sense in an approach based on 'a serious man for serious times'. He simply can't do 'soft' stuff, and even the personal lines felt awkward. But when it comes to his causes, the things which clearly stir his blood, he can be very persuasive. Maybe a bit more fist-clunking wouldn't be a bad thing.</p> How he delivered it was always going to be interesting, although maybe only to politics watchers like myself.

He started on blistering form, straight to the hard stuff. And I quite liked the oblique nature of the Cameron reference. For a while, it looked like that was going to be the only dig at the Tories – which would certainly have been an interesting strategy. A bit much to expect, though, as it turned out.

There's good sense in an approach based on 'a serious man for serious times'. He simply can't do 'soft' stuff, and even the personal lines felt awkward. But when it comes to his causes, the things which clearly stir his blood, he can be very persuasive. Maybe a bit more fist-clunking wouldn't be a bad thing.

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