Uplifting Speeches from the Conservative Conference!

Reuters photo

By

Hazel Speed

I never dreamed I would think such a thing, never mind write a headline like this; nor would I ever choose to watch TV broadcasts of any political conference, so the reader can correctly take it that my comments truly are from an objective and impartial stance.

Whilst viewing and listening to speaker after speaker, it was metaphorically reminiscent of an old re-run of the heydays of the TV programme Sunday Night at the London Palladium, the billing in order of the ultimate spectacular speech.  On this occasion, it happened to be one given by Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary.

I was struck initially by considering the mismatch of the event being held in the City of Manchester.  The day that City votes via a collective as Conservative, then that surely is the time to worry.

I have lived in the Manchester area and know only too well the ethos of love towards others which that population typifies, and is the heartbeat of the North.

I concur with their beliefs as a community, and will never forget their kindness and acceptance towards myself and my late Parents.  Accordingly, my respect for the people of that great City will never wane.  A portion of my heart and memories remain there.

So why choose that venue to host the Conservative Conference, other than to feign an allegiance that really did not exist with any Conservative Government.

Indeed, a member of the public encapsulated similar thoughts, but were more strident in their example, i.e. look how they dealt with Grenfell, so why should they treat us any differently.

Then looking at the audience it was the old ‘twinset and pearls’ in that everyone was dressed impeccably – not just smart or in casual attire, but as if they had popped in en route to attending an interview.

Labour conferences have a different approach, smart enough, but not the same emphasis on attire. The Conservative Conference audience looked like a gathering of intellectuals, including young teens and more elderly.

I kept an open mind and listened to the speeches.

Liam Fox MP – International Trading Secretary, spoke well.  His words were well crafted and I particularly liked one of his final remarks: We are not passengers in our own destiny.

He was followed by David Davis, Secretary for Exiting Europe. There had been rumours earlier in the day that he might be superseded by Boris Johnson as negotiator with the EU; but after listening to both their speeches I do not think that will happen any time soon.

David Davis remarked that nearly every day someone went up to him and said about Brexit negotiations: It can’t be that difficult, or Good luck; Then another person may say get us a good deal. He then gave his punch line: And that was just the Cabinet!

I think, that an old English saying best describes the safety of negotiations in his hands:

He isn’t as green as he’s cabbage looking. Mr Davis MP is shrewd and would make a great poker player.

He gave a full outline regarding the negotiations in specific detail as to requirements of the EU before the next phase of discussions can progress, and confirmed again the content of the Prime Minister’s Florence speech.

He made a surprising, but most welcome reference that in 1975 one person remarked about the EU ‘what kind of internationalism says that a German person should have priority over an Indian or an Italian over someone else’ (the inference being that any EU Country had to supersede other world countries). Then he revealed it was said by the late Baroness Barbara Castle – Labour.

I was pleased to hear this, as she was indeed a great lady with a wonderful ethic.  She stated that she thought Britain was wrong to have joined the then Common Market (now the EU), but they had chosen to do so, therefore she felt it was her duty to represent their interests there and fight their corner therein.   That she did.  How many of us could do something like that?

Many thought that she should have been Britain’s first female Prime Minister, a view with which I have always concurred.

His reference made me think that I doubted the Labour Party would ever praise the Conservative Party or Leadership for anything.  I thought the reference by Mr Davis was most honourable.

He rebuked Labour for supporting exiting both the Single Market and Customs Union one minute, then changing their mind the next.  At the conclusion of his speech he received enthusiastic applause and standing ovation.

Priti Patel MP – International Development Secretary, spoke well, especially to be included within such a prestigious billing of others more weather-beaten in such things.

She spoke most eloquently and efficiently on her stewardship as it related to foreign aid through facility of British taxes, and efficacy of Aid to other countries who needed urgent help; and that the British Union flag on urgent supply packages reflected the standards and caring most associated with Britain.

Her remarks encompassed references to diseases that would be treated, such as river blindness, (and others outlined) and this was made possible due to her diligence in dismissing the fat cats from accessing fraudulent monies, therefore funding saved could now go to new areas.

There was no holding back with references to Labour refusing to condemn terrorist attacks on Israelis or former photographs Mr Corbyn had standing with IRA, etc.

In short, Labour turned a blind eye on what was happening in other countries, especially in reference to those who had socialist stances.

She added, shame on them (Labour) and their vile brand of socialism.

Ms Patel had praise for Rotarians throughout the world for the great work they did.

Listening to her speech and observing her self-assured presentation, surely we were watching a rising political star of the future.  In fact, she had obviously achieved a lot so far, given her youth, to have such a responsible role.

Michael Fallon MP – Secretary of State for Defence, was next to speak. He too is an accomplished orator. He announced the initiation of a new Service Medal for those fighting in areas to combat modern terrorism.  Also, he remarked on plans to assist Servicemen and Servicewomen who had invisible scars and needed mental health support. The details he outlined of military hardware, personnel and roles Britain was playing in the world was most impressive.

The thought occurred to me that audiences from opposing political Parties should listen quietly to the content of each other’s presentations, leaving their subjective stance momentarily aside – but they never will of course.

Brilliant though this speech was, one had the feeling that he was preaching to the converted, and the rhetorical linguistics would be in a foreign language as far as opposition audiences are concerned.

As I have lived in many parts of the UK, I know only too well that although people everywhere are basically the same, they like to be addressed in different ways. If the Conservative Party want to welcome the youth currently captivated by the Labour Party, then they must adjust phraseology to suit the style, as otherwise all is lost due to lack of translation.

He made his point most admirably, however, that North Korea was closer to Manchester than Manchester was to Los Angeles and then pointed out that Britain should never hand over its security to someone such as Jeremy Corbyn; ‘Being prepared to use nuclear weapons is what separates a Prime Minister from a pacifist.’

He proposes to initiate a further 30 cadet units in state schools, and to make every single role in armed forces open to women so that talent, not gender, determines how far they can go’.  Similarly the same will apply to ethnic and diversity groups in society.

Mr Fallon managed to quote investment percentages in financial terms regarding Armed Services and military hardware, with adroit reference to one aspect which actually did equate to £350 million per week!

He also confirmed that America was our best ally and that he had established a good relationship with General Jim Mattis.

Mr Fallon received a great applause and standing ovation.

At this point I had the feeling that one was listening to rationalism as opposed to emotivism of Labour’s rhetoric and I recalled my recent article regarding Capitalism or Socialism and the relevant aspects outlined therein, which are ones I still stand by.

Now it was time for top billing and Boris Johnson arrived at the podium.  To be honest, though his speech was, as anticipated, intellectually brilliant, one had the feeling that his thunder had already been stolen and he was eclipsed by earlier speakers.

Then a strange sense emerged as he began speaking.

I had the thought that ironically enough, he would have made a great religious minister as he appeared to be hitting a type of synthetic spiritual element throughout his audience.

One young man, whose expression was captured by the cameras, was obviously enthralled as were all in the auditorium.  I have only ever seen this achieved within religious services, and even then, just a few talented or spiritually inspired preachers possessed such a tangible gift.

He joked that the present Mayor of London was not as good as the previous one (i.e. himself).

He referenced remarks when overseas and in a helicopter flying over dubious territory, when he was told shots can be aimed from behind; his retort being that it was nothing, as he had that happen all the time in his line of work!

Mr Johnson made some salient points, i.e. Mr Corbyn bans things, but why can’t he do things.

About Brexit, he said it was not a plague of boils (Note: Preacher type of rhetoric).

He was tired of people being negative, i.e. despite Brexit, this or that, etc, and urged positivity of the great opportunities now afforded Britain at this unique time.

Most importantly, he confirmed Cabinet unity in keeping with the Prime Minister’s Florence Speech.  Indirectly, that itself is the red line if one reads the subtlety of the reference.

Even if Mrs May could fire Boris for his recent remarks in the press, she would be mad to do so, as he truly is her ace in the pack.

Another thing I reflected upon, was that Boris Johnson is obviously a highly intelligent man with a sublime wicked sense of humour, but what appeal would that have to the average socialist as the two extremes will never accept each other’s rhetoric or belief structures, and there is the problem.

Mr Johnson reflected on the times of the 1970s and the problems caused by the Labour Government.  The snag is, I am old enough to remember that decade too, but the Corbyn Rock Star Fan Club were only born in recent times.

Mr Johnson spoke of future technologies and invoked the dichotomy of what had been achieved in the past fifty years – prior to mobile phones and cameras, such as one being used to film him by a member of the audience as he spoke.

He believed in the future a clean environment could be achieved, population issues would be solved, and more houses built, he even mooted on a space candidate of the future joking on one person he had in mind – Mr Corbyn.

He finalised his speech by saying Britain had many countries eager to do business with us, and he elaborated utilising his knowledge of geography, shipping lanes and his visits worldwide as Foreign Secretary.

Britain had this rare opportunity and a new renaissance.  (A ‘just diplomatically acceptable’ joke therein, he remarked at the expense of France).

He praised the Prime Minister and Mr Johnson’s loyalty to her was genuinely apparent. Predictably, he had the best applause of the afternoon, standing ovation, synchronised clapping at one point, and almost a tipping point of the musical replication of the enemy camp; ‘Oh Boris Johnson‘. Whatever next?

Hazel Speed

Photo (c) Hazel Speed – used by kind permision to Tuck Magazine

Hazel Speed is a Philosopher, Writer, and Artist with various creative projects at differing stages of development. Her flaship project is an animation which has produced a film short: www.thepinkprofessor.com. She has also written an E-novel, ‘Just Suppose…!‘ which is available via the attached link.

Art sites: www.candystoreart.com, www.terrificart.com, www.artbadges.co.uk