Theresa May Rocks! She really does. In a week where an ex-bikini model’s speech was allegedly plagiarised and reached the headlines, we failed to celebrate the outstanding performance of our latest Prime Minister, Theresa May’s first Question Time in the House of Commons. Now it is time to focus on the magnificent Mrs May.
More than enough coverage has been spent on an inspirational speech Michelle Obama made in 2008 which was copied by ex-model and trophy wife Melania Trump. Watch here. It is astonishing that Michelle’s fabulous words were said verbatim by Mrs Trump. BUT even worse, when you compare the delivery, one is a wooden autocue; the other, a passionate, authentic, intelligent performance by Mrs Obama. Michelle has been a truly amazing role model for women throughout the world.
We now have an equally spectacular female role model in Theresa May, who became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom last week. On 20th July 2016 she had her first “Prime Minister’s Questions” at the House of Commons. With respect to any PM, this is an ordeal for anyone, but the first time you do this, it must be quite something…
Here is Theresa May’s performance in full on 20th July 2016. Watch here. Apologies: I couldn’t find a highlighted version!
Of course some of the press compared May with Margaret Thatcher. Why? Because she is another woman leader (!) But of course May is a different person. However, she has already mastered the art of relaxing her voice and avoiding the high pitched squawk that can happen when you are excited or nervous.
There is one particular moment when May is ‘sticking the boot’ into opposition leader Corbyn. Instead of getting excited to deliver the final verbal punch, she slows down; relaxes and her voice goes lower to maintain authority. The hairs on the back of my neck sizzled! This was great. It was a performance, and one she has been preparing for all her life. The varied the tone and pitch of her voice; adding pauses and different speeds of delivery. It was never arch but always authentic.
It is said that Theresa May’s ambition was to be prime minister – in fact the first female prime minister, when she was an undergraduate in the 1970s studying Geography (yay!) Of course Thatcher beat her to that accolade, but this hasn’t overshadowed May’s impact from the word GO since she became the Premier.
May is a brilliant role model for women of all ages in the United Kingdom. She has an authority; a bearing that she is in charge. Yes, there are a couple of small technical points to look at – if anyone knows her number, I’d be delighted to resolve these! And it is as though she was born for this role.
Theresa. Congratulations.
Surviving in the heat