Emotional authority in presenting the later Covid-19 strategy: the speeches and statements of Scotland's Nicola Sturgeon

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Recent research on the performance of political leaders during the early stages of COVID-19 measures suggests that women leaders place more emphasis on emotional engagement and address their publics at the individual level. This chapter analyses the discursive management of emotion and authority in the post-lockdown stages of the pandemic, focusing on then-Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. A critical discourse analysis approach reveals elements of conversationalisation and political discourse. These varied across parliamentary speeches and public statements, but were consistently managed in a manner that balanced emotionality with a conventional language of authority. It finds that while Sturgeon displayed the emotional engagement associated with other women leaders, this was alongside a sustained commitment to a lexicon of governmental power and control.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Nation in the Time of the Pandemic
Subtitle of host publicationMedia and Political Discourse across Countries during the COVID-19 Crisis
EditorsFernando León-Solís
Place of PublicationBasingstoke
Chapter9
Pages177-196
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)9783031566622
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Jul 2024

Keywords

  • political performance
  • press conferences
  • gender
  • pandemic

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