Is Nick Clegg turning into David Cameron?

(H/T Tip to Sionnyn for the picture)

Peter Collett, a body language expert writing in the Guardian noticed that during Nick Clegg’s speech yesterday that the Deputy PM is taking on board some of the characteristics of the Prime Minister when he gives a speech.

He writes ‘Today we saw Nick Clegg at his vintage best. Flushed with the heady taste of power, he looked and sounded like a national leader – not very different, in fact, from what we've come to expect from David Cameron.

It's widely known that Cameron sets great store by talking slowly when he makes a speech – so much so that he'll even jot a reminder on his notes to slow down. What struck me during Clegg's address was the extremely slow pace of his delivery – rather similar to Cameron's.

By slowing down in this way Clegg is doing the right thing, because it makes him sound more prime ministerial. A slow, measured delivery conveys an important subliminal message about power – it reminds the audience that the speaker has the confidence to keep them waiting and that his time is more valuable than theirs.

The tone of Clegg's speech was much more defensive than usual. When he rebutted some of the criticisms that have been levelled at the party, he frequently tensed his lower lip, pushing it up, so that his mouth took on the shape of an inverted letter U. This is one of Clegg's signature facial gestures, usually when he feels under threat. The fact that this movement tenses the chin shows that he's unconsciously worried about being punched and that he's trying to protect himself symbolically from attack.

This notwithstanding, I thought that Clegg managed to produce a remarkably relaxed performance – and one that was therefore much more likely to rouse and rally the troops in these difficult times.

As the Liberal Democrats cosy up to the Conservatives, it looks like their leaders have started to borrow each other's mannerisms. For example, when he's feeling anxious, it's now not unusual to see Clegg tensing his forehead or licking his lips – nervous tics that, until recently, were Cameron's distinctive giveaway signs. As the policies of the two parties merge, are we witnessing the same process of osmosis in the habits of the party leaders?
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