Avoid the Oscar speeches and fist pumps, would-be MPs told
SUCCESSFUL Conservative candidates were told to avoid long acceptance speeches and “football-style goalscoring celebrations” in enjoying their first moments on live national television.
A forthright memo to would-be MPs warned that their local counts were “not the Oscars”. It went on to reassure candidates, however, that they would have “plenty of time in the coming days and weeks as an MP to talk plenty.”
The advice provided by Conservative Party headquarters last week extended as far as the bodily functions of candidates, urging them to relieve themselves before arriving at their count. “Candidates have been known to be accosted by journalists in bathrooms and sometimes there is little escape,” the memo claimed.
It advised candidates to prepare a speech in case of a win, but added: “We do not need a long speech as everyone will be tired and ready for sleep.
“You will have plenty of time in the coming days and weeks as an MP to talk plenty. Keep your speech short and uncontroversial. Do not comment on what might be happening across the country – the situation will be fluid so you may not know exactly what is going on and people just want to hear about your constituency.”
Urging candidates to avoid TV interviews, the memo added: “If you are filmed as you arrive or the media try to interview you, please just smile, say ‘hello’, but just keep walking into the count and into an area the media are not allowed to be.
“Now is not a good time to do an interview, but there is no need to be rude. Please make sure you’ve been to the toilet before you arrive .”
Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader, was criticised for her celebrations when Jo Swinson, the Lib Dem leader, lost her seat on Thursday. But Tory advice was clear: ‘You don’t want your time as an MP to be remembered as the person who did a crazy celebration on stage. Show your delight – but no footballstyle goalscoring celebrations.”