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As part of Parliament Week 2012, the UK Speechwriters’ Guild is hosting an event in Portcullis House at the Houses of Parliament, which will give people a rare insight into the dynamic relationship between speechwriter and party leader.

Lord Ashdown, former leader of the Liberal Democrats, and his former speechwriter, Dr Max Atkinson will share their experiences of how party leader and speechwriter worked in synchrony at the highest level, and the specific techniques they used to inspire their audiences through the power of the spoken word.

The meeting will be chaired by Olly Grender, former Head of Communications for the Liberal Democrats, who has worked at No 10 for the Coalition Government.

Ticketing Information

There is limited capacity so please book your ticket early to avoid disappointment. If you are unable to attend please ensure that your ticket is cancelled.

Refreshments: Teas and coffees will be served

Entrance: Portcullis House. You will pass through airport-style security so please allow enough time to enter, we suggest 30 minutes.

Please bring with you a copy of your ticket (which will be emailed to you) and photo ID to present on arrival.

For more information on getting here please visit our website: http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/directions/

Dr Max Atkinson worked with Paddy Ashdown on his speeches from 1988 to 1999.

He is a communications researcher and consultant who was formerly a Fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford and has held visiting professorships at the Henley Management College.  

His original research into public speaking and presentation skills training first came to public notice when a televised experiment showed how he coached a novice with no previous experience of public speaking to win a standing ovation at a political party conference.

Sir Robin Day, commenting for BBC television, described the experience as ‘the most refreshing speech we’ve heard so far.’  

He has acted as a consultant on presentation skills, public speaking, speech writing and speaker training for numerous companies and organisations in the UK and abroad.  

In 1985, he ran a training seminar on speech writing in the Reagan White House.

Lord Ashdown was a Member of Parliament for Yeovil from 1983 to 2001, and leader of the Liberal Democrats from 1988 until August 1999. Later he became the international High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 

Olly Grender is a former Head of Communications at the Liberal Democrats. She is also a regular commentator on Newsnight.

Terms and Conditions:

1. Tickets are not transferable

2. There is no reserved seating

3. Latecomers will not be admitted to the event until a suitable break or interval

4. The use of recording or photographic equipment is strictly forbidden.

5. You must be 16 or over to attend the event

6. Everyone entering the Houses of Parliament must bring photographic ID with them and go through airport style security checks. Please see here for details http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/access/security/

7. Ticket holders entering the Houses of Parliament are expected to abide by code of behaviour for public events which can be seen here http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/access/events/

8. Dogs will not be admitted (except guide dogs).

9. You may be filmed and photographed during the event. By attending, you are consenting to being in these forms of media. The primary use of this content will be to promote future Parliament Week activity.

10. If wheelchair access is required, please inform us prior to the event so we can accommodate your needs