The sleep test

I wish there had been a proper academic study, but in the absence of one I'll make an untested assertion. There is an inverse relationship between how late the leader's team finish his speech and its quality.

Last year David Cameron's speech wasn't finished until just before he gave it. And you could tell.

Good speech writing is partly about creativity but editing and polishing make a huge difference. If you run out of time (personal example William Hague, 1998) you can't do that vital work.

The earliest sign that this year may be better? Steve Hilton was to be found at a party at 10pm, calmly sipping a soft drink.

Comments

[alex r]

any fraser nelson spied danny kurger coming down to breakfast at 10am, looking like he hadn't slept.

[john problem]

Our leaders are turning their backs on oratory in favour of stage management. Brown goes to Iraq in the middle of Cameron's party while Cameron ostentatiously abandons his script for his big appearence. Riveting stuff! All we need now is for one of them to exit with a bear...