Reading Lines


Up till now I've resisted saying much about the performance of the new Scottish Labour leader - Johann Lamont.

Because everyone deserves a bit of time to get their feet under the table - so to speak - and establish themlves in a new and demanding job.

But I've noticed a worrying tendency at First Minister's Questions (FMQs) - which are held in the Scottish Parliament most Thursdays - at 12 noon.

Now these can be spiky affairs - sometimes.

Not quite as gladitorial as Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) at Westminster - but what I've noticed is that Johann reads out long passages - from her carefully pre-prepared questions.

Now careful planning for FMQs or PMQs is one thing.

In Tony Blair's book The Journey - the former Labour Prime Minister is very candid - about how nerve-wracking the weekly confrontation can be - for the protaganists.

Because there is nowhere to run - or hide.

So while it's easy to be an armchair critic I can't help thinking that it looks bad to be constantly looking down - and reading out large chunks of your questions.

Have notes or even the full script to hand by all means - but reading the damn thing out in full looks a bit naff - to be honest.

So my tip of the week for Johann is to loosen up a bit.

Stop reading out your lines and start speaking in your own words - it's much more convincing and persuasive in the long run.

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