Great political speeches in recent times (1980+)

[Vaud]

This is a thread about great speeches. Triggered by musing on Gove's pretty strong speech last night.

Great in terms of oration, content, timing, impact to the audience. I don't want to make it about a political discussion about if they were right or wrong... but rather if it was a well delivered speech with strong content and an ability to "rouse" the audience.

I encourage balance... as I respect a great speech.

I'll kick off with:

Brown on Scottish union (possibly his most passionate)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J39bBV7CBJk

Hilary Benn on Syria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2GTNK4VsXs

Geoffrey Howe resignation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw1pcAzjRnc

Robin Cook on Iraq
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9CqiiI2Irg

Gove on Brexit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o7a8LXxQWg

[Iamnotkloot]

Not a huge G Brown fan but that was a good speech. Pity he wasn’t more inspiring as PM; he clearly can do it when needed (or when he’s interested/passionate about something).
Seen the Gove one already and that’s good too.
Thanks OP for putting these up here

[jesusbuiltmycar]

DanIel Hannan rips Gordon Brown a new one
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mc9TVlzdEsc

[cherryowen]

I'd not seen that Gordon Brown one before, and - fair play - that was a blinder.

I note that in the background, Ruth Davidson (Scottish Conservative leader) was applauding much of the speech. Proof - if any - needed that when it comes to larger cross-party issues, political ideals must be set aside for the greater good. Something that Corbyn Monoxide (H/T Wiccan of Darkness) should be currently taking on board.

[Otispunkmeyer]

cherryowen said:

I'd not seen that Gordon Brown one before, and - fair play - that was a blinder.

I note that in the background, Ruth Davidson (Scottish Conservative leader) was applauding much of the speech. Proof - if any - needed that when it comes to larger cross-party issues, political ideals must be set aside for the greater good. Something that Corbyn Monoxide (H/T Wiccan of Darkness) should be currently taking on board.

Corbyn Monoxide hahaha! I like that. Very good.

[anonymous-user]

Hague: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-27668303...

[BlackLabel]

Some of Obama’s early stuff was really good.

For example his 2004 Democratic National Convention speech:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ueMNqdB1QIE&t=36...

Edited by BlackLabel on Thursday 17th January 23:26

[cherryowen]

Otispunkmeyer said:

cherryowen said:

I'd not seen that Gordon Brown one before, and - fair play - that was a blinder.

I note that in the background, Ruth Davidson (Scottish Conservative leader) was applauding much of the speech. Proof - if any - needed that when it comes to larger cross-party issues, political ideals must be set aside for the greater good. Something that Corbyn Monoxide (H/T Wiccan of Darkness) should be currently taking on board.

Corbyn Monoxide hahaha! I like that. Very good.

Oh, I take no credit for that one!

That was earlier today from fellow PH'er Wiccan of Darkness, who posts infrequently but is always "good value" so to speak.

[glazbagun]

Not a big fan of the guy, but I promised myself I'd offer him a pint if I ever met him after George Galloway was called to the US Senate to answer charges about corruption in the Oil For Food program and flayed the room with his opening statement:

https://youtu.be/TRbMQ4t2Nfo

Still makes me angry today.

[MikeT66]

Tony Benn...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWnpbEMMsNw

[RedWhiteMonkey]

With Donald in the White House it is difficult to pick just one.

[Vaud]

Iamnotkloot said:

Not a huge G Brown fan but that was a good speech. Pity he wasn’t more inspiring as PM; he clearly can do it when needed (or when he’s interested/passionate about something).

That was my frustration - if he had delivered more like that as PM then the story might have been different.

[Vaud]

glazbagun said:

Not a big fan of the guy, but I promised myself I'd offer him a pint if I ever met him after George Galloway was called to the US Senate to answer charges about corruption in the Oil For Food program and flayed the room with his opening statement:

https://youtu.be/TRbMQ4t2Nfo

Still makes me angry today.

I'd forgotten about that one. Good find.

[Ridgemont]

La Liga said:

Hague: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-27668303...

One of my favourite wind up speeches. Hague just having a ball: highlight here. David Milliband pissing himself.

https://youtu.be/fZ26SmDzxHE

[Vaud]

Ridgemont said:

One of my favourite wind up speeches. Hague just having a ball: highlight here. David Milliband pissing himself.

https://youtu.be/fZ26SmDzxHE

Brilliant. Puts our current crop (on both sides) into perspective...

[anonymous-user]

Surprised Maggie’s ‘not for turning’ has been put forward given the leanings on this forum.

Ridgemont said:

La Liga said:

Hague: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-27668303...

One of my favourite wind up speeches. Hague just having a ball: highlight here. David Milliband pissing himself.

https://youtu.be/fZ26SmDzxHE

It’s a good one.

A little off-topic but this one between Hague and Prescott is good: https://youtu.be/RBeOafTBoVs

Hague’s reply just after 02:50 is brilliant.

[Ridgemont]

No time generally for the welsh windbag but this was a brilliant demolition of militant:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bWLN7rIby9s

Sad given recent developments.

[Melchett1905]

Farage in Brussels.

[Biker 1]

Hitler did quite a few good'uns apparently

[Vaud]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIKg3Qexn7U

OK, not a politician per se, but I thought this was a masterpiece by Andrew Neil.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIKg3Qexn7U