Last night I attended the Summer Reception of Conservative Way Forward, (the pressure group/think tank that was founded in 1991 to defend and build upon the achievements of the Conservative Party under the leadership of Lady Thatcher, and to adapt the principles of her era in government to modern concerns and challenges).  It was a great event held at the Institute of Civil Engineers.  Last night William Hague was the host and guest speaker.

As ever Hague was in fine form.  It is fascinating to watch Hague work a room.  He quietly moves from group to group, engaging in conversation, giving his full attention, never breaking eye contact or looking around him or checking his watch.  He gives the group he is with 100% Hague.  Hague is a highly intelligent man and combined with his superb wit, makes him engaging in conversation.  Hague and I had an enjoyable conversation on oratory, Harriet Harman, economic mess, Norwich By-Election and his beautiful Constituency Richmond in Yorkshire.  Suffice to say Hague was a huge hit with the audience last night. 

Hague’s talk was, as you would expect, mixed with side splitting humour and a deadly perception into current affairs, covering usual subjects including, the devastating economic inheritance that Brown will bequeath the next Parliament, foreign affairs, by elections over the years and anyone who knows Hague knows that he always quotes his heroe William Pitt.  Hague oratory at its best.

John Whittingdale harnessed the feeling of the audience when he summed up after Hague’s bravado speech when he called William ‘the finest orator in the Conservative Party’.  That is so true.  I would go one stage further and say that he is the finest orator in British politics today.  (Some may questions whether Tony Blair is the stronger orator but he is no longer a front line UK politician…and Blair was on so many occasions outclassed and outspoken by Hague in their regular interchanges over the Dispatch Box). 

Interesting when working the crowd last night, there was a strong amount of agreement that there are few characters in the Conservative Party that people would happily pay to go and hear speak and of course look forward to it.  Reflecting on that, the Party is indeed crying out for those orators who can capture and engage people through the power of the spoken word.  Hague is without doubt our finest speaker, followed by Cameron.  After that, interestingly people were divided last night.  Hannan’s name came up a number of times.  Osborne was seen as an effective Shadow Chancellor by all but lacking as an engaging orator.  Hopefully, more engaging orators will be entering the House amongst our PPC’s.

Back to Hague.  Early on in this blog, I posted a blog on the finest orators: http://tiny.cc/akx5d  On reflection, Hague is fast entering into this list.  Hague has been a strong projection orator ever since his speech to the Conservative Party Conference when he gained a standing audience at the age of 16.  Thatcher was impressed…..

So what evidence of outstanding oratory?  I thought I would remind of some great recent speeches and exchanges over the dispatch box:

This is Hague reducing the House to stiches, (even David Miliband), over President Blair of the EU….sheer class….:

Hague v Harman…just savage humour cutting the hapless Harman down to shreds:

Michael Portillo interviews William Hague: Fascinating insight into Hague winning the Tory Leadership:

William Hague questioned on BBC Newsnight: Insight into using humour to attack Blair

Hague Launches the Conservative European Manifesto: (Parts 1 & 2)

William on the next election and his political future:

Dissolution of Parliament Debate on 10th June 2009 (3 Part) :

Keep up the great work William.  You are an inspiration to the grassroots and finest orator in UK Politics today.