4 The oratory of Iain Macleod
-
Mark Garnett
Abstract
Iain Macleod has been a hero to many representatives of the Conservative Party’s ‘One Nation’ tradition. In part, this is because of his death at the age of 56, soon after reaching the pinnacle of his career as Chancellor of the Exchequer. The sense of promise unfulfilled is reinforced by the fact that, unlike so many senior figures on the Tory ‘left’, he was unsullied either by the failures of the Heath Government or the ‘wet’ resistance to Margaret Thatcher. Although Macleod was a notable minister under Churchill, Eden and Macmillan, his glamorous posthumous image derives mainly from his reputation as an orator. Indeed, his ministerial career began as a direct result of a single speech – a witty and well-informed attack on Nye Bevan in March 1952, which Churchill heard with admiration. He continued to be a feared parliamentary debater, known for his acidic wit. As party chairman (1961-3) he could be relied upon to cheer the grassroots with incisive attacks on Labour. He was also an able communicator with the voters, in campaign speeches or on television.
Abstract
Iain Macleod has been a hero to many representatives of the Conservative Party’s ‘One Nation’ tradition. In part, this is because of his death at the age of 56, soon after reaching the pinnacle of his career as Chancellor of the Exchequer. The sense of promise unfulfilled is reinforced by the fact that, unlike so many senior figures on the Tory ‘left’, he was unsullied either by the failures of the Heath Government or the ‘wet’ resistance to Margaret Thatcher. Although Macleod was a notable minister under Churchill, Eden and Macmillan, his glamorous posthumous image derives mainly from his reputation as an orator. Indeed, his ministerial career began as a direct result of a single speech – a witty and well-informed attack on Nye Bevan in March 1952, which Churchill heard with admiration. He continued to be a feared parliamentary debater, known for his acidic wit. As party chairman (1961-3) he could be relied upon to cheer the grassroots with incisive attacks on Labour. He was also an able communicator with the voters, in campaign speeches or on television.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Notes on contributors vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- List of abbreviations x
- Introduction 1
- 1 The oratory of Stanley Baldwin 14
- 2 The oratory of Winston Churchill 30
- 3 The oratory of Harold Macmillan 47
- 4 The oratory of Iain Macleod 62
- 5 The oratory of Enoch Powell 74
- 6 The oratory of Keith Joseph 87
- 7 The oratory of Margaret Thatcher 103
- 8 The oratory of Michael Heseltine 121
- 9 The oratory of John Major 137
- 10 The oratory of William Hague 150
- 11 The oratory of Boris Johnson 166
- 12 The oratory of David Cameron 182
- Conclusion 198
- Appendix 205
- Bibliography 208
- Index 226
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- Notes on contributors vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- List of abbreviations x
- Introduction 1
- 1 The oratory of Stanley Baldwin 14
- 2 The oratory of Winston Churchill 30
- 3 The oratory of Harold Macmillan 47
- 4 The oratory of Iain Macleod 62
- 5 The oratory of Enoch Powell 74
- 6 The oratory of Keith Joseph 87
- 7 The oratory of Margaret Thatcher 103
- 8 The oratory of Michael Heseltine 121
- 9 The oratory of John Major 137
- 10 The oratory of William Hague 150
- 11 The oratory of Boris Johnson 166
- 12 The oratory of David Cameron 182
- Conclusion 198
- Appendix 205
- Bibliography 208
- Index 226
