When you aim for a sizzling conference speech, "Release the sausages" doesn't sound much like a rallying cry. Nor indeed does it sound very diplomatic. Of course, "Release the hostages" would be a more appropriate form of words in the Keir Starmer speech at the 2024 Labour party conference in Liverpool.
How You Can Give a Sizzling Conference Speech
Release the sausages
However, "Release the sausages" was indeed said and it was heard in the Liverpool convention centre and worldwide eventually.
So, was it a misspeak by the current hapless incumbent of 10 Downing street? Probably. What can be guaranteed is that his new spectacles, provided gratis by the Party's donor-in-chief Lord Alli, don't seem to be up to the job. Perhaps the Prime Minister should have gone to Specsavers after all?
An alternative explanation is that there was an autocue failure or even sabotage.
A few years ago we reported on the last conference speech prompter plot. On that occasion the shadow Defence Secretary and Norwich MP, Clive Lewis, was visibly irate after his conference speech. Why? Because someone had changed the autocue script. Yes, in the time between him submitting his speech for feeding into the autocue and him reading it...someone had amended the script. Joys!
The Clive Lewis speech experience was certainly unusual. But he still delivered a good speech, albeit with certain passages removed.
A Sizzling Conference Speech for Next Time
So, we reckon the hapless Prime Minister simply had a moment as he read his autocue. It does happen. Although the confusion between hostages and sausages is certainly novel. Because it was only a while ago that we heard Andrew RT Davies at the 2016 Conservatives conference utter the immortal words about Brexit:
We will make breakfast a success.
Yes, it was the beginning of the day and Mr Davies was probably thinking of food. Still, he recovered well.
Well, that's one word that wasn't meant to come out like that, was it. I'll have a word with the autocue at the back.
Typically autocue problems at a conference have more mundane causes: the wrong speech. a power failure, a software issue or rambling off-script. But it certainly points to a need for practice and preparedness. Or, alternatively a motivating text on the eve of conference to really spur you on!
Tips to Help You Give a Sizzling Conference Speech with Autocue/ Teleprompter
When you plan to use autocue/ teleprompter at your next conference don't worry. It's a very simple thing to read. But you do need to practise beforehand, so these tips should help.
- 1Practise your speech fully before the conference.
- 2Know your script, its flow, logic, beginning, points and ending.
- 3Practise at reading your speech before the event, in conference conditions with conference lighting.
- 4When you read your autocue/ teleprompter, don't wander off-script. Stay on message.
- 5Have a back-up script on your lectern or in a pocket.
When you need some public speaking tips, then you'll discover more than 100 top tips for speakers and presenters here at Time to Market. And with additional videos and podcasts, there's something here for every speaking or presenting event. Then, when you're ready to give your own sizzling conference speech, you're welcome to enroll on an online public speaking skills course.
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