Grant Shapps Defence Speech Takes Aim

It's been nearly 14 years since we last looked at a Grant Shapps speech. On that occasion he was the new Housing Minister. It's an incredible span of time because this particular Conservatives government minister has held just about every ministerial position in recent years. Yet somehow he's eluded us with his speeches. He even escaped our scrutiny in 2020 when for a brief time, as Transport Secretary, he was the public face of the authoritarian government in Downing street press conferences. So we couldn't resist this recent Grant Shapps defence speech.

When we looked at the Grant Shapps RICS (Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors) speech  in 2010 we observed how his speech was recycled and lacked originality. So, how did the Grant Shapps defence speech fare?

A Well-Written Defence Speech

First, we can recognise the speech writing of His Majesty's Government. And secondly we doubt that the elusive Mr Shapps had much personal input to the speech he gave on Monday in London.

This defence speech was very much a set-piece production at the prestigious venue, Lancaster House, where Theresa May gave her Brexit speech in 2017. With a selected audience of generals, admirals, permanent secretaries, think-tank specialists, journalists and arms salesmen this was home ground for the UK Defence Secretary.

He spoke from a small lectern and used a prepared script probably laid out in a large font and readable typeface. Because, whilst he looked down frequently, the word fluffs were negligible and few in number. Good stuff.

Grant Shapps Defence Speech Backdrop Secures the Narrative

Speech backdrops are very fashionable, particularly for those speeches that aim to feature in the news media. And this was such an occasion with a very suitable grey blue map background with the words:

Together with his title, Defending Britain from a more dangerous world, this helped to shape the narrative for the speech.

And what a narrative it was. Since there was no mistaking who we're meant to be afraid of.

And as Russia continues its illegal campaign in Ukraine, China is assessing whether the West loses its patience.

Today, Russia and China have been joined by new nuclear, and soon to be nuclear, powers.

North Korea promising to expand its own nuclear arsenal.

And then there is Iran, whose enriched uranium is up to 83.7%, a level at which there is no civilian application.

Back in the days of the Cold War there remained a sense that we were dealing with rational actors.

But these new powers are far more unstable, and irrational.

And that was the narrative. Russia,  China, North Korea and Iran are the bad guys. A simple narrative for the news media. And a simple narrative with which the news media can scare people.

No Shortage of Eloquence With the Minister

Shapps is a consummate media performer, so his use of such a simple narrative wasn't surprising. But we were surprised by his eloquence with his script. Thus, we heard some excellent tone, a steady pace, speed changes and good pauses in this speech. Yes, his speech was well-written, yet he was clearly well-practised. Good.

We can always expect a rhetorical question in a Minister's speech and he duly delivered.

Ask yourselves – looking at today’s conflicts across the world - is it more likely that the number grows, or reduces?

There was more than the odd position taker in this Grant Shapps defence speech. But this stood out for being well-worked.

Some people, especially on the left, have a tendency to talk Britain down.

They believe Britain can no longer have the power to influence world events.

That we should somehow shrink into ourselves and ignore what’s happening beyond our shores.

I passionately believe these unpatriotic, Britain belittling doom-mongers are simply wrong.

Their way would lead us sailing blindly into an age of autocracy. So we must make a different choice.

And the history of our great island nation shows us the way.

Again, we always expect some cracking use of metaphor in a speech written by civil servants or special advisers. Because it's what they do best.

So, we find ourselves at the dawn of a new era. The Berlin Wall a distant memory.

And we have come full circle.

And, for anyone who has attended our PresentPerfect training courses, we're not at all guilty of this one.

We stand at this crossroads – whether to surrender to a sea of troubles, or do everything we can to deter the danger

A Secure and Solid Shapps Defence Speech

Many speakers with little experience might struggle behind a lectern, let alone with a heavyweight audience. However Mr Shapps appeared calm and confident as he delivered his defence speech. Yes, sometimes he gripped the lectern. But at other times he also waved his arms with some animation. All in, he looked in control. We did say that he was a consummate media performer.

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