|
Ming saves his best for last
Andrew Alexander
The mood among Lib Dem party members as they flocked from the conference hall to Brighton station seemed to be high, with most people agreeing Ming had proved himself to the faithful.
His much-anticipated speech was polished, and delivered with some aplomb.
The traditional criticism of Sir Ming on a stage is that he is only comfortable as the elder statesman, condemning the government's foreign policy.
But the script on Thursday focused on domestic issues, and it was here that he got the biggest cheers.
And while his delivery was statesman-like, it was not aloof or haughty, it was gaffe-free, and the effort and practice Sir Menzies and his staff must have put in was clear.
The format - a high-tech slideshow to music, with Sir Menzies joined on stage by MPs at the end - was reminiscent of his leadership 'relaunch' in Westminster back in June, but Thursday's show was altogether slicker.
His team have also gone some way to connecting his unusual history - from Glasgow tenement to Olympic sprinter to barrister to long-serving Liberal democrat - with the 65-year-old on the stage.
Taking the week as a whole - the great tax showdown, the slacker-than-expected speech from Kennedy, and the final speech - it will be harder to picture Sir Ming as a caretaker candidate.
His speech kept returning to the phrase "the politics of substance", but if he can continue with the direction he has set both in substance and in style he will make his own mark on the party.
|
Published: Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:17:41 GMT+01
Submit Comment
|
| Name |
|
| Email |
|
| Location |
|
| Comment |
|
|
Remember Me |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
