Theresa May - General election announcement body language shows ‘confidence’
The Prime Minister Theresa May announced a general election on June 8 in a shocking announcement on the steps of 10 Downing Street today. She claimed the election, due to take place in about two months, will help to foster unity before Britain makes its Brexit negotiations. The wind blustered around the PM as she announced her intentions to the press today, but despite the weather whipping at her hair, the PM delivered a confident speech, according to body language expert Darren Stanton. “May’s posture is confident. She’s standing tall and her tone is low and consistent, this is a person feeling confident in what they are saying,” Darren said.
REUTERS/Toby Melville Theresa May - General election announcement body language shows ‘confidence’
Theresa May's general election announcement body language shows ‘confidence’
May was channeling Margaret Thatcher during her speech today, according to the expert, and had defiantly taken some public speaking tips from the former PM. “From her tone of voice and breath control, I think its clear she has received coaching in her delivery overall,” he added. “I detect the actual pitch of her voice seems deeper than before to command more power. “This is something image consultants did with Margaret Thatcher to give her more gravitas when speaking.”
Politicians react as Theresa May calls snap general election on June 8 Tue, April 18, 2017 UK Prime Minister Theresa May has announced her intention to hold an early general election on June 8 Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 5 Theresa May has called for a snap general election
REUTERS/Toby Melville Theresa May general election speech showed ‘confidence’ but ‘obvious coaching’ according to experts
Darren’s powers of deduction were somewhat hindered by the way in which the speech was framed by cameras. However, he said May did exhibit some odd behaviours before beginning her speech. “Prior to speaking she shuffled around a little, making some odd movements with her head. She gives a little dance, she places her notes down, steps back a little then steps forward to begin her announcement.” However, despite this Darren felt there was no sign that the Prime Minister was anything other than confident. “I saw no gestures that denote any kind of inconsistent or unconfident behaviour with the content of what she was saying,’ he added.
REUTERS/Toby Melville The PM delivered a confident speech, according to body language expert Darren Stanton