Aneurin Bevan overcame his childhood stammer through a mix of determination, self-training, and public practice. Famously, he would roar out political speeches with a pebble in his mouth while walking the hillsides of South Wales, a technique inspired by the ancient Greek orator Demosthenes. This helped him strengthen his voice and gain control over his speech.

But Bevan didn’t stop there. He actively spoke at miners’ union meetings, local rallies, and Labour gatherings, using these platforms to refine his delivery and build confidence. Each speech was a trial by fire, often met with hecklers and resistance, but he persisted. Over time, his stammer faded into the background, replaced by one of the most powerful voices in British politics, so compelling that even Winston Churchill admitted Bevan was “one of the few people I would sit still and listen to”.