Give a Topical Speech and Deliver

Be topical and be relevant when you give a speech. That's always a good plan. So, for many years, we have advised our students to be conscious of the world about them and give a topical  speech. Now topicality might be an issue because your typical speech takes many days to prepare, assemble, draft and edit. So much of your content risks being non-topical by the time you actually give your speech. Is that a problem?

Well yes it is if you intend to give a speech that concerns current affairs, geopolitics, or politics in general. And it matters even more so when you intend to give a Spring Statement about the state of the economy and Britain’s place in the greater world economy.

So the Spring Statement that the current chancellor of the exchequer, Rachel Reeves, gave this week was magnificent for its non-topicality. An opening passage referenced war in Iran and the subsequent attacks by Iran on the Gulf States and elsewhere. But that was about it.

However, the implications are clear. There’s going to be economic turmoil. Oil and gas prices are likely to rise as the flow of oil and gas is paused or curtailed. None of which will be beneficial to the UK economy. And none of which will be beneficial to the current Chancellor of the Exchequer.

A Non-Topical Spring Statement

Beyond the non-topicality of this speech, was there anything else we can say about the Spring Statement? Well, yes her speech contained its fair share of jargon and Civil Service speak. It’s what we come to expect, of course.

The plan that I have been driving forward since the election is the right one:

We heard metaphor as we always do when we hear a speech about the economy. Apparently maritime, stormy weather and navigation must be highlighted in the speech writers guide at the Treasury.

I am in no doubt about Britain's ability to navigate the challenges we face.

And of course we also heard about breakfast clubs. Again. it's superb. Political speech bingo that everyone can play.

Every breakfast club in every school is because of the choices that we have taken — and because I have the right plan for our country.

The Chancellor also tempted her audience with a note of repetition that she subtly combined with the pound in the pocket. That was definitely one for the political anoraks among us.

Every pound that we have invested,

Every pound in the pockets of working people,

Every pound that we have secured in this forecast today, can be wiped out by a change of course.

When you need hints and suggestions for your next speech, at conference or at work, then you will find plenty of tips for speakers and public speaking tips on this site. And when you want to take your skill levels that bit further, then you can enroll on an online public speaking course at your convenience. Alternatively when you need everyone in your team trained to the same level with their own public speaking, then please don’t hesitate to contact us about corporate training for your entire team. Because we aim to get you public speaking.