April 2010
Yes Prime Minister
Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg had the opportunity to impress us but non was able to pull the strong, reliable leader image.
Last night's historical televised Prime ministerial debate on ITV, proved that not all that is seen & done across the pond should be emulated in britain, but if it does, a lot more should be done to prepare for it.
In America, public speaking & media training is taught from a young age to enable individuals to appear at their best. Detailed attention is given to one's body language, general grooming, and above all the style, quality and colour of their clothes, and in particular with men: their chosen ties.
On this occasion not even one tie was the right one;
Gordon's pink - which stands for soft, feminine and unthreatening when what he needed to have on is a defined red and white shirt as he is the current leader.
Cameron's blue - which stands for “I am the friendly guy next door” but what he needed was a strong charcoal, red & grey combo to show creativity, attention to detail and potential leadership.
Clegg's gold - which stands for riches should have been replaced by a warm & regal purple to attract the undecided to him; the third player.
The psychology of colour is a key player in public speaking and when played correctly it will increase audience attention, confidence and emotional involvement both in the speaker and their message.
What we saw last night was a dull representation of the above; from the loud and overpoweringly energetic tie and manner of the excited moderator Alastair Stewart, to the a safe, unengaging, even boring choice of the candidates colour pallet. This, combined with their rigid and feeble body language - at one point Nick Clegg had his hand in his pocket - compromised their presentation and sent a weak message to an already dispassionate nation, who desperately needs direction but can not see any of the three as the answer.
