11 The oratory of Gordon Brown
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Judi Atkins
Abstract
Gordon Brown entered Parliament as MP for Dunfermline East in 1983. Brown's impressive parliamentary performances while filling in as Shadow Chancellor in 1988 dramatically increased his profile, and he was subsequently appointed to that position in July 1992. Brown's parliamentary oratory is primarily deliberative and, as such, reflects the adversarial nature of that institution. In contrast, conference speeches are instances of epideictic, or ceremonial, rhetoric that are designed to affirm a party's identity and values, and to inspire the faithful. There are a number of themes that recur in Brown's oratory throughout his career. Taken together, these themes served to inspire the party membership, undermine the Conservatives, and demonstrate to the public that Labour was fit to govern. Despite the concerns of some Labour MPs about his fitness to lead, Brown became prime minister on 27 June 2007.
Abstract
Gordon Brown entered Parliament as MP for Dunfermline East in 1983. Brown's impressive parliamentary performances while filling in as Shadow Chancellor in 1988 dramatically increased his profile, and he was subsequently appointed to that position in July 1992. Brown's parliamentary oratory is primarily deliberative and, as such, reflects the adversarial nature of that institution. In contrast, conference speeches are instances of epideictic, or ceremonial, rhetoric that are designed to affirm a party's identity and values, and to inspire the faithful. There are a number of themes that recur in Brown's oratory throughout his career. Taken together, these themes served to inspire the party membership, undermine the Conservatives, and demonstrate to the public that Labour was fit to govern. Despite the concerns of some Labour MPs about his fitness to lead, Brown became prime minister on 27 June 2007.
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
