In 27 October 1857, MP John Bright addressed a crowded Birmingham Town Hall. Already a famous politician and orator, expectations were high that he would deliver a newsworthy speech. So much so, The Times chartered a special night train to deliver his text in time for the morning editions. And Bright didn't disappoint. The speech, a passionate call for universal suffrage, marked a fundamental turning point in 19th century electoral reform, and forms a powerful illustration of the impact a great speech- and speaker- can have on the history of a nation.
Speeches that Changed Britain: Oratory in Birmingham takes a range of speeches, all made in Birmingham in the last two hundred years, and explores their impact on local and national stages. From the charismatic speakers themselves, to the words they used, the causes they fought for, and the mercurial relationship between orator and audience, author Andrew Reekes examines the factors that make a significant speech.
Many of the speakers considered were the most famous orators of their time, and their speeches illustrate contemporary concerns: from Thomas Attwood advocating Parliamentary reform in 1832 to crowds of 200,000; Feargus O'Connor addressing Chartist rallies; the Chamberlain dynasty, Joseph and Neville, opposing Home Rule and confronting Hitler; to controversial characters Oswald Mosley and Enoch Powell outlining their personal visions. The book closes with an analysis of very recent speeches by Malala Yousafzai and David Cameron, both made in the context of these traditions. Reekes paints a clear picture of Birmingham itself as a stronghold of radical politics and social reform, one that generated and attracted famous orators. Their presence has meant that Birmingham has played a profound role in setting the national political mood and agenda.
Resonating with the text of these significant speeches, Reekes' fascinating and important book captures vividly a lost age of political oratory and passionate public advocacy, and provides an extraordinary insight into the progress of political and social reform in Britain across the last two hundred years.
- ISBN13 9781905036240
- Publish Date 30 October 2015
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint West Midlands History Limited
- Format eBook
- Pages 160
- Language English