At my local constituency, I am lucky enough to have a very proactive MP: Grant Shapps, who represents the Conservative Party. He campaigned for four years after he had been selected to oppose the Labour MP for Welwyn Hatfield.

His strength has been his knowledge of the area and community, and being able to promote, publicise and support campaigns for local issues. Two current campaigns are to prevent the closure of the local hospital, and the prevention of 10,000 new houses being built in countryside surrounding Welwyn Hatfield.

Grant Shapps has also developed visibility within the Conservative party; he openly supported David Cameron’s leadership campaign and is a spokesperson on immigration, the DNA database and the efficiency of tagging criminals.

Grant very kindly agreed to answer some questions about public speaking. I hope they are of value.

1. How did you prepare for your Maiden Speech in the House of Commons?

Actually Maiden Speeches are very easy to prepare for since they are on the subject that every MP knows inside out – their own constituency.

2. Do you ever get nervous before a speech, and if so, what are your strategies for coping with this?

Not really, my strategies would be to breathe slowly, stay calm and be confident. Knowing the subject very well is also important

3. As part of your role, you obviously do a lot of Public Speaking. How have you developed these skills? Did you have any training, and if so what?

A certain amount of my public speaking skills came naturally but I also attended a course in the United States sponsored by a youth group I was President of

4. I understand you attend a number of constituency dinners and parties, where – as the ‘star attraction’ you are required to speak to everyone. How do you manage to ‘mix and mingle’ with all of the guests to ensure you speak with them and that they aren’t disappointed?

If possible have a sidekick to help you move from person to person. It is important to ensure that the people you do speak to feel that they get your attention and that you make them feel special, in some ways this is more important than rushing around to speak to absolutely everyone.

5. What would your tip for mingling or networking at a party be?

Be confident, be a good listener and enjoy it.

6. What has been your most enjoyable public speaking experience, and the least? Do let us have details!

My most enjoyable public speaking experience was my acceptance speech having won the election in Welwyn Hatfield. It was the culmination of 6 years hard work. My least enjoyable public speaking experience was a Party rally on a round stage meaning that people were on all sides and I had to keep turning around while I was speaking!

7. What is your top tip for public speaking?

Don’t read it

8. What is your top tip for networking at a party?

Be yourself, be natural

9. You obviously when through a rigorous interview and selection process before being selected to represent the Conservatives in the Welwyn Hatfield constituency. What are your tips for aspiring politicians that might want to be considered for a political role in local or national government?

Again, be yourself. Don’t try to pretend to be what you think people want you to be.

10.  What are your immediate feelings and impressions on how people speak (either with an accent or regional dialect.) Do you feel that the way people speak can hinder their career development? Do let me have your opinion!

Unfortunately, yes, I do think that accents and dialects can affect how they are perceived and therefore could hinder their career development

11.  You do a lot of speaking on TV and radio; what preparation do you do before such an appearance?

Ensure that I am properly briefed on the subject I am speaking on

12.  If you have an important appearance or speech and you develop a cold or – horror, lose your voice, what do you do? (Please don’t say “cancel”! I am looking for tips on how to ‘find’ some sort of voice and strategies for getting through the appearance!) I would be very happy to send you my tips!!

Touch wood, it has never happened!