9 The oratory of John Smith
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Robin T. Pettitt
Abstract
This chapter focuses on what was at the core of John Smith's oratory and deals with how it evolved, since that process of evolution was cut short. After having considered Smith's background and some general trends in his oratory, the chapter considers three case studies associated with Parliament, the party conference and the public arenas. First, it considers two of his contributions to parliamentary debate, namely those which twice won him the title of Parliamentarian of the Year. Second it considers his speeches surrounding his most significant contribution to the Labour Party's organisational development: the introduction of One Member, One Vote (OMOV). The chapter also considers his very last speech in which he asked, on behalf of the Labour Party, for the opportunity to serve. It concludes with an evaluation of Smith's oratory, his use of ethos, pathos and logos, and the impact his oratory had on the party.
Abstract
This chapter focuses on what was at the core of John Smith's oratory and deals with how it evolved, since that process of evolution was cut short. After having considered Smith's background and some general trends in his oratory, the chapter considers three case studies associated with Parliament, the party conference and the public arenas. First, it considers two of his contributions to parliamentary debate, namely those which twice won him the title of Parliamentarian of the Year. Second it considers his speeches surrounding his most significant contribution to the Labour Party's organisational development: the introduction of One Member, One Vote (OMOV). The chapter also considers his very last speech in which he asked, on behalf of the Labour Party, for the opportunity to serve. It concludes with an evaluation of Smith's oratory, his use of ethos, pathos and logos, and the impact his oratory had on the party.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Notes on contributors vii
- Foreword by the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP ix
- Acknowledgements xi
- List of abbreviations xii
- Introduction 1
- 1 The oratory of Aneurin Bevan 14
- 2 The oratory of Hugh Gaitskell 31
- 3 The oratory of Harold Wilson 46
- 4 The oratory of Barbara Castle 62
- 5 The oratory of James Callaghan 76
- 6 The oratory of Michael Foot 93
- 7 The oratory of Tony Benn 110
- 8 The oratory of Neil Kinnock 125
- 9 The oratory of John Smith 141
- 10 The oratory of Tony Blair 156
- 11 The oratory of Gordon Brown 172
- 12 The oratory of Ed Miliband 187
- Conclusion 200
- Bibliography 205
- Index 224
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Notes on contributors vii
- Foreword by the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP ix
- Acknowledgements xi
- List of abbreviations xii
- Introduction 1
- 1 The oratory of Aneurin Bevan 14
- 2 The oratory of Hugh Gaitskell 31
- 3 The oratory of Harold Wilson 46
- 4 The oratory of Barbara Castle 62
- 5 The oratory of James Callaghan 76
- 6 The oratory of Michael Foot 93
- 7 The oratory of Tony Benn 110
- 8 The oratory of Neil Kinnock 125
- 9 The oratory of John Smith 141
- 10 The oratory of Tony Blair 156
- 11 The oratory of Gordon Brown 172
- 12 The oratory of Ed Miliband 187
- Conclusion 200
- Bibliography 205
- Index 224
