Comments on: My thoughts on Ming http://www.alexfoster.me.uk/2007/03/04/my-thoughts-on-ming/ life and times of Alex Foster Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:31:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: sbalb http://www.alexfoster.me.uk/2007/03/04/my-thoughts-on-ming/comment-page-1/#comment-27794 sbalb Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:27:54 +0000 http://www.alexfoster.me.uk/2007/03/04/my-thoughts-on-ming/#comment-27794 Historically I think the Lib Dems have suffered somewhat from having a structure and an ethos that's not only different from American politics (which any party would be justified in avoiding) but also different from the other two British parties. This has led to total confusion from the British press, as evinced whenever the Lib Dems have a proper debate: surely, they say, that's undermining the leader? If the press are timing the speeches with stopwatches, then that's certainly something to point out rather than pander to. But the party <em>ignores</em> such behaviour at its peril, as confused UK journalists will use and abuse these mad, mainstreamed measures whether the Lib Dems like it or not, and report on success or failure accordingly. Historically I think the Lib Dems have suffered somewhat from having a structure and an ethos that’s not only different from American politics (which any party would be justified in avoiding) but also different from the other two British parties. This has led to total confusion from the British press, as evinced whenever the Lib Dems have a proper debate: surely, they say, that’s undermining the leader?

If the press are timing the speeches with stopwatches, then that’s certainly something to point out rather than pander to. But the party ignores such behaviour at its peril, as confused UK journalists will use and abuse these mad, mainstreamed measures whether the Lib Dems like it or not, and report on success or failure accordingly.

]]> By: Letterman http://www.alexfoster.me.uk/2007/03/04/my-thoughts-on-ming/comment-page-1/#comment-26234 Letterman Wed, 07 Mar 2007 16:00:39 +0000 http://www.alexfoster.me.uk/2007/03/04/my-thoughts-on-ming/#comment-26234 I was more impressed by Nick Clegg's various appearances at fringe meetings - the only Lib Dem I've ever thought could handle the job of Prime Minister. I was more impressed by Nick Clegg’s various appearances at fringe meetings – the only Lib Dem I’ve ever thought could handle the job of Prime Minister.

]]> By: Jonny Wright http://www.alexfoster.me.uk/2007/03/04/my-thoughts-on-ming/comment-page-1/#comment-25702 Jonny Wright Mon, 05 Mar 2007 12:59:25 +0000 http://www.alexfoster.me.uk/2007/03/04/my-thoughts-on-ming/#comment-25702 A very perceptive post. I agree with your worries about the stage-managing of the applause - and having watched Ming's speech, I think that, while not completely dreadful, it was far from deserving a standing ovation. I think this has to be blamed less on the party, and more on the media's tendency to read into things. If they're going to time the applause on stopwatches, then managing the length of the applause is perhaps the only way to avoid pathetic headlines - "Lukewarm reception from Lib Dem faithful" or whatever. To be honest, if his speeches genuinely made everyone tingle with passion and pride, he'd get a 4-minute applause anyway, without the stage-managing. A very perceptive post. I agree with your worries about the stage-managing of the applause – and having watched Ming’s speech, I think that, while not completely dreadful, it was far from deserving a standing ovation.

I think this has to be blamed less on the party, and more on the media’s tendency to read into things. If they’re going to time the applause on stopwatches, then managing the length of the applause is perhaps the only way to avoid pathetic headlines – “Lukewarm reception from Lib Dem faithful” or whatever.

To be honest, if his speeches genuinely made everyone tingle with passion and pride, he’d get a 4-minute applause anyway, without the stage-managing.

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