Over a month into the new Parliament many MPs are writing and delivering their Maiden Speeches. I’ve had a few requests for help, so here’s a short list of things to consider and objectives to achieve when creating your first masterpiece. GET IT DONE Everyone gets to do one Maiden Speech before they make regular […]
On 31st January, Boris Johnson delivered a short speech to mark the UK leaving the EU. It wasn’t carried by many broadcast channels but the speech has been viewed millions of times on line, demonstrating the continuing rise of new media and the decline of traditional institutions. Downing Street have issued a transcript so I […]
NO SEAT TO FIGHT – NOW WHAT? Nominations have now closed. Many of my clients got selected and I’m looking forward to seeing them elected to Westminster at the end of the campaign. But what if you didn’t get a seat? I’m hearing from candidates who missed out in selection finals by as little as […]
As the election approaches a lot of relatively safe Conservative seats are coming free as the incumbents decide to call it a day. There hasn’t been such a bonanza since the timely clear out in 2010 which followed the expenses scandal. Despite the challenges of the role, a lot of able people still want to […]
As well as Mock Interviews, I also review application forms and Candidate CVs for my Clients. A strong candidate CV is vital because it gets you through the door of the interview room. With hundreds of applicants for safe seats your 3 page document really needs to stand out from the pack. It must convey […]
Barndoor Strategy’s Roger Evans turns his expert eye to each of this year’s party conference speeches. Jo Swinson – Speech to the 2019 Lib Dem Conference I rather like Jo Swinson. She seems to be the sort of person you could trust to look after the cat whilst you head off to Portugal for a […]
The Election Is Coming! Every week sees a new list of available seats rolled out seeking prospective candidates. Some are a more tempting prospect than others but all require the completion of a three page ‘Candidate CV’. This is the vital first stage in the selection process so it needs to be done well. […]
Since 2006 I have been advising clients facing the ordeal of a political selection interview. I like to keep my advice positive and upbeat but I’ve seen a lot of howlers committed, some more often than others. One error might not lose it for you but several together will guarantee you another rejection letter. The […]
(Barndoor Strategy CEO Havard Hughes with Boris Johnson) The polls have now closed in the Conservative leadership contest and it is all but inevitable that next Tuesday, Boris Johnson will be named as the new party leader and therefore the new Prime Minister. There has been much mainstream media criticism of the fact that […]
Nobody quite knows how the Brexit impasse will end. But whether we leave on the 12th April, stay for a short while or have a further long extension, one thing is clear. The UK will be heading for a General Election a lot sooner than 2022. Parliamentary parties and structures have broken down in an […]