12 The oratory of David Cameron
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Tim Bale
Abstract
This chapter analyses the oratory and rhetoric of David Cameron in relation to seven exemplars. Firstly, Cameron’s his to the Conservative Party Conference in 2005; secondly, his first appearance at PMQs as Leader of the Opposition later the same year; thirdly, his introduction to webcameron in 2006; fourthly, his party election broadcast on expenses in June 2009; fifthly, his performance in the first televised debate in the 2010 general election; sixthly, his parliamentary apology for Bloody Sunday, made a few month later; and seventh, his appearance on David Letterman’s Late Show in 2012. This chapter analyses all seven interventions and asks several key questions. Does Cameron have a characteristic style? Does he project, or even seek to project, a consistent persona? Or does his oratory differ markedly – and usefully – according to the forum in which he is speaking or, indeed, according to who is writing his speeches? Finally, if every man has the defect of its own virtues, is this especially true of David Cameron?
Abstract
This chapter analyses the oratory and rhetoric of David Cameron in relation to seven exemplars. Firstly, Cameron’s his to the Conservative Party Conference in 2005; secondly, his first appearance at PMQs as Leader of the Opposition later the same year; thirdly, his introduction to webcameron in 2006; fourthly, his party election broadcast on expenses in June 2009; fifthly, his performance in the first televised debate in the 2010 general election; sixthly, his parliamentary apology for Bloody Sunday, made a few month later; and seventh, his appearance on David Letterman’s Late Show in 2012. This chapter analyses all seven interventions and asks several key questions. Does Cameron have a characteristic style? Does he project, or even seek to project, a consistent persona? Or does his oratory differ markedly – and usefully – according to the forum in which he is speaking or, indeed, according to who is writing his speeches? Finally, if every man has the defect of its own virtues, is this especially true of David Cameron?
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
