Moment copycat Rachel Reeves tried to channel Margaret Thatcher | Politics | News
Rachel Reeves tried to manipulate Margaret Thatcher as she announced her Budget, a body language expert has said. The way he spoke from the Message Box in the House of Commons appeared to be imitating the former Conservative prime minister, Judi James told The Express. “His display of ‘deliberate’ or ‘announcement’ gesture as he stood up to demonstrate was at risk of being drowned out by the commotion caused by the leaks and the resulting blushing of the assistant speaker,” he said.
“Even though he was seen from the stairs of number 11, he still managed to get up from his seat like Boadicea.” [Downing Street] Where before, his cheeks were rounded with personal pride and his pursed-lipped, smug smile suggested a condescending resilience, he was extremely diluted, and his tendency to overcorrect his notes on the podium again suggested inner anxiety and a desire to regain control.”
However, “once he started to step up, he appeared to be channeling Margaret Thatcher into his own thoughts.
Shouting, mocking and a triumphant way of speaking,” Ms. James observed.
She added: “You almost expected her collared blouse to be re-tied into the Conservative PM’s signature pussy bow.
“Starmer was sitting behind him, his whole face covered in wrinkles of what looked like confusion and concern, and at one point, he was staring at him with an expression of alarm as Reeves came to the top, shouting and scorching the opposing rows.”
The expert suggested the Chancellor appeared to have copied another former prime minister.
Ms James said: “Reeves appeared determined to stamp his personal authority in this speech and his approach to the opposition, so much so that he appeared to be throwing his own hat into the ring as the next occupant of No 10.
“He was waving his hand as he mocked the Tories and even had a power gesture that looked floppy, à la Tony Blair.
“Towards the end he shouted and jeered mercilessly, drinking only a sip of water.
“Yvette Cooper spoke for most of the back row with her unmoving, poker-faced blank stare, and Dianne Abbot looked like she was made of stone. Miliband tried a variety of expressions, from a reluctant nod to a chin-rubbing assessment, and Reeves was ‘congratulated’ with one of Starmer’s hand-on-his-shoulder clasps that suggested a touch of arrogant aquatic pride.”
Ms. Reeves’s challenge today was to “deliver the kind of harmonious body language performance that would go out into the world.”
have confidence in your message, but also complete confidence in yourself,” Ms. James suggested.
He added that his “nonverbal signals suggest PMQs don’t look promising.”
“The choice of bottle green suit and beige blouse was not bland in terms of enhancing her image,” the expert said.
“Both colors fade like the Commons lighting, leaving her looking less confident and less inspiring than she did with the fiery red shirt and lipstick she wore for the video speech.
“He was sitting sluggishly, nervously taking notes or fiddling with his pen, while licking his lips indicated high levels of anxiety.”
