A little passion goes a long way in PR
February 6th, 2009 by Jon Clements
It’s rare I last as late as the BBC’s weekly, televised political shouting match, Question Time. But the great DVD I was watching last night “borked” (teen speak for broken technology, kids), leaving me no option but to tune in.
And I’m glad I did, as the polar differences between being an effective spokesperson for your cause and looking like a weasel were placed in stark relief.
In the red corner, Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights organisation Liberty; and in the blue corner, Geoff Hoon, secretary of state for Transport.
The audience question focused on the Government’s insistence to the High Court that files about a terrorist suspect - who alleges torture by British and American agents - should remain secret because of national security.
Sure, it’s Chakrabarti’s brief to be indignant about these matters, but she was incandescent with rage. When in full flow, stabbing the air with her finger and trying (but failing) not to give Hoon a sideways glance of pure contempt, you wanted to go with her, right back to that High Court, and demand summary justice. Leaving aside the complexities of the case, it was clear who the audience was backing on this one.
Hoon - not the most charismatic of contemporary politicians - had the expression of a man looking into the abyss as he realised what he had to follow. And he made the mistake of describing his adversary’s monologue as “emotional”, which inadvertently emphasised his utter lack of emotion. To the audience, that says: “I can’t get emotional about torture”. Not great, as Obama is calling time on Guantanamo and all its associations with human rights abuses. OK, it’s not Hoon’s ministerial brief, but on Question Time he is the Government, and the image conveyed was icier than a country lane in Cornwall this week.
An unusual addition to the programme’s panel this week was the singer, Will Young. Not sure what the programme makers expected him to add (a degree in politics doesn’t automatically make you a spokesman for a generation), but Guardian blogger, Heidi Stephens, was thoroughly pleased with Will’s contribution. Call me a killjoy, but I’d rather he concentrated on singing. And even then…
Tags: , Chami Chakrabarti, Geoff Hoon, Heidi Stephens, Question Time, The Guardian, Will Young
February 6th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Good move by Will Young’s PR people, though. There’s a joke in there about thinking and crumpet …
February 6th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Loved Shami’s passion! but I was ’slightly’ embarrassed for Hoon as he tried to argue with her..
Was a little surprised to see Will Young on the panel last night but it’s an increasing trend on QT to have certain ‘celebs’ on - I guess to engage a younger audience. I just wish he knew what he was talking about…he basically said that it was ok to use racist language as long as it was in private….hmmmm
February 6th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Agree with you, thought it was tough for Geoff Hoon though - touchy subject, I think he was more uncomfortable with the finger pointing Chami! I’ve also commented on my blog about this too.
February 6th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Andy
Thanks for your comment. You’ve got a point - it is a very touchy subject; but then that’s the challenge Hoon signs up for when he becomes an MP, never mind a minister.
February 6th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Rekha
I think Will Young’s performance proved that QT is not a place for muddled thinking.
February 6th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Very true, perhaps one of the reasons why we love Question Time - see them squirm! Have a good weekend!
February 6th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
DEFINITELY the reason to watch! And I have to say, Geoff Hoon was a top class squirmer!
February 9th, 2009 at 5:26 am
I thought Will should have stayed away - i know the Beeb are trying to get a different point of view from people who may appeal to a younger audience, but the poor guy seemed totally out of his depth…
February 9th, 2009 at 9:19 am
It’s good for politicians to show emotion sometimes - whether that be anger, laughter or upset.
I remember after the Rhys Jones murder, Simon Byrne, the Merseyside police commander in charge of the case gave a superb interview straight after the killing. Saying he’d come into work straight away to catch these people and demonstrated a huge amount of raw anger.
Exactly how I felt and made me feel good that this guy was looking out for us.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:24 am
I think Hoon’s lack of emotion may just be him, or it could be a legacy of New Labour’s media management obsession that typified the Blair era. Not surprising, considering how Labour under Kinnock and Foot were easy media targets for ridicule. Nevertheless, the torturous effect of being permanently “on message” means politicians have been neutered and seem more and more out of touch with ordinary people.