Many of the breeding grounds for aspirant parliamentarians have gone or simply don't fit their purpose as well any more: here I point to some of the more frequent examples
That's a fair comment, I didn't. It is true but not enough to say that, of course, there have been far fewer women MPs: at the first general election of my lifetime, 1979, only 19 were elected (though one became prime minister that week...). And I'm prepared to accept that some of the norms we expect in oratory and skewed towards men.
Thatcher was, certainly by the time she was prime minister, good at the despatch box: always well briefed, combative, sure of herself, incisive. Gywneth Dunwoody showed no fear, and Dame Margaret Hodge has often performed well, better, I would say, as a select committee chair than as a minister. Lucy Frazer, an earned rather than artificial silk, often speaks well and clearly, likewise and for the same reason Joanna Cherry. I would need to do more research on Ellen Wilkinson, Megan Lloyd-George and Jennie Lee, though all have strong reputations. Penny Mordaunt is currently comfortably one of the strongest and most adept performers on either side.
This may be worth an essay in the near future. Thank you for the observation: very helpful.
Eliot, I think you will find that Andrew Bonar Law first became Leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party in 1911.
Yes of course, thank you. Slip of the finger. I sometimes wonder what would have happened of Long had prevailed.
You don't discuss any women at all......
That's a fair comment, I didn't. It is true but not enough to say that, of course, there have been far fewer women MPs: at the first general election of my lifetime, 1979, only 19 were elected (though one became prime minister that week...). And I'm prepared to accept that some of the norms we expect in oratory and skewed towards men.
Thatcher was, certainly by the time she was prime minister, good at the despatch box: always well briefed, combative, sure of herself, incisive. Gywneth Dunwoody showed no fear, and Dame Margaret Hodge has often performed well, better, I would say, as a select committee chair than as a minister. Lucy Frazer, an earned rather than artificial silk, often speaks well and clearly, likewise and for the same reason Joanna Cherry. I would need to do more research on Ellen Wilkinson, Megan Lloyd-George and Jennie Lee, though all have strong reputations. Penny Mordaunt is currently comfortably one of the strongest and most adept performers on either side.
This may be worth an essay in the near future. Thank you for the observation: very helpful.
Would be interested to read the future essay on the topic!
Terrific piece--and looking forward with anticipation to the book!