Vacancy - DfT - Speechwriter

[whole diary]

[grahame]

I think we have some wordsmiths here

From www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk (not sure if that link will work)

Speechwriter
Department for Transport
Closing date: 30 Dec 2017Location

City of Westminster, London, SW1P 4DR
About the job

Job description
We are looking for an excellent writer and communicator to join the speechwriting team at Department for Transport. Working closely with Ministers and the communications team, you will be responsible for drafting speeches and articles on a wide variety of transport issues for delivery at conferences, industry events and Parliamentary debates.

You will be able to draft compelling, accurate, creative speeches and articles that reflect departmental messages and policies, often under pressure. You will also be able to tailor your work for a range of audiences, and to meet each Minister’s style and requirements.

This is a senior role working at the heart of government communications, which will require you to build effective relationships with colleagues at all levels and across the Department.

Your responsibilities will include:

[continues]

[JayMac]

I think we have some wordsmiths here

Are there any fluent in Sir Humphrey-ese? Also known as doublespeak. Or in a more base vernacular - b******t. 

[Western Pathfinder]

I think we have some wordsmiths here

Are there any fluent in Sir Humphrey-ese? Also known as doublespeak. Or in a more base vernacular - b******t. 

You might say that !
I couldn't possibly comment 🤐

[TaplowGreen]

We have an eminently well qualified candidate in this esteemed Forum whose rhetoric makes him particularly suitable for the role in these days of austerity.........in response to any request or suggestion, the theme of the speech provided would be a clear, consistent & unambiguous........"Ooooooooos gunna pay for it?"......I would imagine that the application is already in the post.

[GBM]

We have an eminently well qualified candidate in this esteemed Forum whose rhetoric makes him particularly suitable for the role in these days of austerity.........in response to any request or suggestion, the theme of the speech provided would be a clear, consistent & unambiguous........"Ooooooooos gunna pay for it?"......I would imagine that the application is already in the post.

    brilliant!

[grahame]

We have an eminently well qualified candidate in this esteemed Forum whose rhetoric makes him particularly suitable for the role in these days of austerity.........in response to any request or suggestion, the theme of the speech provided would be a clear, consistent & unambiguous........"Ooooooooos gunna pay for it?"......I would imagine that the application is already in the post.

From another thread quoting the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers), there are many parties who appreciate the importance of a clear, consistent & unambiguous official message.

There is chaos and confusion  in the rail industry surrounding the Governments positon which makes it almost impossible to negotiate

No comment from me on the suitability of any particular member - we do have various members, and former members who still read from time to time, with both journalistic pedigree and a very strong public transport knowledge.   Whether they fancy a life-changing move into what could be a very hot seat, and commuting into Paddington followed by the treck across to Horseferry Road ...

Which reminds me - does anyone find it just a bit amusing that the department that looks after our modern transport system is base in Horse Ferry Road?

[TaplowGreen]

"There is chaos and confusion in the rail industry" - I think most regular customers would agree with that assessment.

[chuffed]

I would think that Four Tonys Now...or should that be Four Tomes Now....would be eminently suited to the task of writing speeches for the Dft. They would certainly be more  erudite,informed, humorous, and telling it as it is, rather than the edited short sentence soundbites that the Dft  currently use.

[didcotdean]

I actually did have a spell within a government department some years ago (not the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) or its equivalent back then) where I did on occasion write or contribute to speeches by Ministers although this was only a minor part of the job.

'Meet each Minister’s style and requirements' is more difficult than it sounds; I can recall one where the comments back was that it was a little dull and boring, but I thought it caught his usual style perfectly  Not sure what he expected with that one giving me only 24 hours' notice.

[Bmblbzzz]

Which reminds me - does anyone find it just a bit amusing that the department that looks after our modern transport system is base in Horse Ferry Road?

From Wikipedia:

In 1734, plans were drawn up for a bridge to replace the ferry. An Act of Parliament was passed in 1736, and the money was raised by lottery and grants. Parliament changed the plans for the position of the bridge, and Westminster Bridge was finished first, resulting in the gradual decline of the ferry. It was eventually replaced on 10 November 1862, when the first Lambeth Bridge was opened. It quickly deteriorated, and was replaced in 1932.

I couldn't possibly comment!

But I do find the concept of a horse ferry intriguing. Presumably it refers to a ferry large enough to carry a horse or horses, rather than a ferry drawn by horses swimming the Thames!

[ChrisB]

horse and cart I suspect

[didcotdean]

The Horse Ferry was owned by the Archbishop of Canterbury, although it was a leased concession ...

Rates in 1708 (Source - Survey of London: Volume 23, Lambeth: South Bank and Vauxhall.)
For a Man and Horse: 2d
For a Horse and Chase: 1/-
For a Coach and 2 Horses: 1/6
For a Coach and 4: 2/-
For a Coach and 6: 2/6
For a Cart loaden: 2/6
For a Cart or Waggon, each 2/-

The first Lambeth Bridge was of suspension type, but built a bit on the cheap and all the cables and girders went rusty. It was closed to vehicles in 1910 but the First World War intervened before the replacement was started whch was almost twice as wide.

[grahame]

The Horse Ferry was owned by the Archbishop of Canterbury, although it was a leased concession ...

Ah - a franchise in current terms? ....

What fascinating information; love the Lambeth Bridge follow up too.   We have some excellent researchers and writers on here 

[didcotdean]

I have found a picture of the first Lambeth Bridge


Looks a bit industrial, steep, and not very wide.

Maybe the horse and cart would have preferred a ferry.

[JayMac]

I have found a picture of the first Lambeth Bridge


Looks a bit industrial, steep, and not very wide.

Those solid sides on a suspension bridge aren't a good idea either. Think Tacoma Narrows...