In the first of a new monthly series, In My View, Graham Fitzgerald, an experienced TV and online journalist, gives his take on Ed Miliband’s performances during the week of the Labour Party Conference.
Ed Miliband basks in the glory
By all accounts the Labour Party conference has been a huge triumph for Ed Mililband.
In his speech to delegates on Tuesday he freed Labour from the Brown and Blair eras and finally established himself as party leader, according to the Guardian.
“That was it: the day Ed Miliband wiped the smile off Conservative faces,” enthused columnist Polly Toynbee.
“With breathtaking bravura he held the hall rapt,” she went on. “No autocue, at ease, personal and passionate.”
Wow. It doesn’t get much better than that.
But it can get worse – and it did. In fact it got a lot worse the following morning on the Today programme on Radio 4.
The Today presenters traditionally give politicians a hard time, so Mr Miliband knew he would not be given an easy ride.
So why did he appear so badly prepared, why did he allow Evan Davis to constantly interrupt him and why did he fail so singularly to impose himself?
It may well be he was still on a high from his triumph the day before and with the applause still ringing in his ears underestimated the task in front of him.
If that was the case, and it’s certainly one explanation, it was unforgiveable and a lesson for anyone giving an interview: don’t get complacent and don’t take anything for granted.
It doesn’t matter who you are and how many times you’ve done it before, the chances are you’ll get caught out and will come to regret it.
Forgive the pun, but the last thing you want is to look like you’ve lost your ‘Ed.
Click here to listen: Ed Miliband’s Today programme interview.
If you want any advice about how to prepare for an big interview, give Rough House a call on 020 8332 6200.
