Labour orators from Bevan to Miliband

How do leading Labour figures strive to communicate with and influence the electorate? Why have some proven more successful than others in advancing their ideological arguments? How do orators seek to connect with different audiences in different settings such as parliament, party conference and through the media? This thoroughly researched and highly readable collection comprehensively evaluates these questions as well as providing an extensive interrogation of the political and intellectual significance of oratory and rhetoric in the post-war Labour Party. This collection evaluates the oratory and rhetoric of twelve leading figures from Labour politics: Aneurin Bevan, Hugh Gaitskell, Harold Wilson, Barbara Castle, James Callaghan, Michael Foot, Tony Benn, Neil Kinnock, John Smith, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband. Each chapter explores how its subject attempted to use oratory to advance their agenda within the party and beyond. Students of British politics, Labour history and communication studies will find this volume essential reading.

Presents a thorough investigation of how oratory was utilised in the ideological disputes of the post-war period

How do leading Labour figures strive to communicate with and influence the electorate? Why have some proven more successful than others in advancing their ideological arguments? How do orators seek to connect with different audiences in different settings such as parliament, party conference and through the media? This thoroughly researched and highly readable collection comprehensively evaluates these questions as well as providing an extensive interrogation of the political and intellectual significance of oratory and rhetoric in the post-war Labour Party.This collection evaluates the oratory and rhetoric of twelve leading figures from Labour politics: Aneurin Bevan, Hugh Gaitskell, Harold Wilson, Barbara Castle, James Callaghan, Michael Foot, Tony Benn, Neil Kinnock, John Smith, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband. Each chapter explores how its subject attempted to use oratory to advance their agenda within the party and beyond.Students of British politics, Labour history and communication studies will find this volume essential reading.

1. The oratory of Aneurin Bevan – Andrew S. Crines and Keith Laybourn2. The oratory of Hugh Gaitskell – Timothy Heppell and Thomas McMeeking3. The oratory of Harold Wilson – Michael Hill4. The oratory of Barbara Castle – David S. Moon5. The oratory of James Callaghan – Stephen Meredith6. The oratory of Michael Foot – David Stewart7. The oratory of Tony Benn – Mark Garnett8. The oratory of Neil Kinnock – David S. Moon9. The oratory of John Smith – Robin T. Pettitt10. The oratory of Tony Blair – Mark Bennister11. The oratory of Gordon Brown – Judi Atkins12. The oratory of Ed Miliband– Andrew S. CrinesConclusion – Andrew S. CrinesIndex