I heard Tony Benn talking this morning (with Matthew Paris and presenter Jim Naughtie) on Radio 4 about parliamentary oratory. In the course of the conversation Benn said something of interest to any preacher.
He said
"There's no such thing as oratory. When I hear somebody speak I ask myself questions
'Does he know what he's talking about?'
'Does he believe what he's saying?'
'Why's he saying it?'
'Why's he saying it to me?'
'Why's he saying it to me now?'
And if you're speaking, it's a relationship with an audience, communication. It's not something that a spin doctor can do for you. It has to come from your heart."
Matthew Paris disagreed (probably rightly) by saying that Benn was speaking eloquently and that he was really describing true oratory. He then went on to say how he divides politicians into two categories - signposts and weathercocks. He has no time for weathercocks who follow opinion polls rather than principles. His final point on the subject was this:
"I think it has to come out of your mind and experience through your mouth into somebody's ears and mind and if it's that, it's real."
"There's no such thing as oratory. When I hear somebody speak I ask myself questions
'Does he know what he's talking about?'
'Does he believe what he's saying?'
'Why's he saying it?'
'Why's he saying it to me?'
'Why's he saying it to me now?'
And if you're speaking, it's a relationship with an audience, communication. It's not something that a spin doctor can do for you. It has to come from your heart."
Matthew Paris disagreed (probably rightly) by saying that Benn was speaking eloquently and that he was really describing true oratory. He then went on to say how he divides politicians into two categories - signposts and weathercocks. He has no time for weathercocks who follow opinion polls rather than principles. His final point on the subject was this:
"I think it has to come out of your mind and experience through your mouth into somebody's ears and mind and if it's that, it's real."
1 comment:
I had the privilege of hearing Tony Benn while I was at LSE. He was superb to listen to. He modelled the principles he outlines here. He was passionate and persuasive. I remember Graham Harrison telling us younger preachers we should learn from the great political orators of the past. Too true. We need some engaging passion i our younger men.
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