Gervase Phinn: Speaking of oratory

Some of the lectures were mind-numbingly boring but others made a great impression.

Sir Mortimer Wheeler, one of the best known British archaeologists of his day, was a great believer that archaeology needed public support and was assiduous in appearing on television and radio to promote his passion as well as touring the county lecturing. Like all great public speakers, his enthusiasm and commitment were powerfully conveyed through his words.

The lecturer who made the most impact was the larger-than-life commentator, journalist and television pundit Malcolm Muggeridge. I recall his strange way of speaking – like a member of the Royal Family being strangled – his remarkable facial contortions, his incredible self-assurance and the way he spoke extemporaneously.

He was a great orator and his speech depended for its impact on telling little comments and anecdotes. He was strong-minded, unwavering and unequivocal and used all the techniques of oratory to great effect – timing, repetition, figurative language, the telling phrase – to capture the interest of his audience.

There are phrases which still stay in my mind and which I wrote down like, "All of us admire people we don't like and like people we don't admire," and "People do not believe lies because they have to, but because they want to."

These were the first occasions when I heard great communicators unafraid of expressing their views and not fearful of criticism or ridicule. Since then I have become fascinated by oratory.

As we approach the next General Election, I look forward to hearing what the politicians have to say but predict there will be little great oratory. Gordon Brown, he of "the great clunking fist", seems a solid, serious enough speaker and is, no doubt, sincere in what he says, but his words lack passion and flair.

David Cameron and Nick Clegg come across as better communicators – smoother, always with the ready answer, relaxed and expressive – but one wonders if their values are strongly held.

Most of us want leaders who are confident and resolute, with a sense of lucidity and determination and who embody the virtues of honesty, fairness and courage. Great leaders like Winston Churchill rallied a nation through their words; they inspired and demonstrated a real empathy with their audiences.

"Never give in," he growled, "never give in, never, never, never, never – in nothing great or small, large or petty – never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense."

Churchill, like all great speakers, was wonderfully entertaining, too. "Mr Attlee," he remarked, "is a very modest man. Indeed, he has much to be modest about."

How I long to hear another Winston Churchill in the coming months.