British Culture - User contributions [en]

Aldermaston Marches

2012-07-09T05:07:55Z

Irina:

Series of demonstrations against nuclear weapons in the 1950s and 60s.

In 1958, protesters marched from Trafalgar Square, London, to the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment in Aldermaston (Berkshire); it took them about four days to cover the fifty-mile distance. In the following years, the direction was reversed. The peace symbol that was to become the logo of the [[CND]] was designed by Gerald Holtom for the first Aldermaston March.
'''Aldermaston'''
Aldermaston in Berkshire is the only place where nuclear weapons are manufactured. Aldermaston is the headquarters of the UK´s Atomic Weapons Establishment. The AWE is responsible for the design and manufacture of the of the Trident submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile system. The AWE employs 4,000 people and is also involved in dismantling decommissioned and redundant nuclear weapons. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/696046.stm)
'''CND'''
In the 50s one of the most influential members of the Labour party Nye Bevan argued, “Britain´s bomb could give the UK a decisive voice in international affairs”. “He believed the bomb could give Britain “the opportunity of interposing” between the US and Russia” (Childs, p.91)
It caused difficulties for the Labour Party on the political stage. Most delegates and political activists from the other parties, who used to support Bevan, voted other way. Some of these delegates were already involved in in a new mass movement, which later became the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. First of all it was a small group of MPs under the chairmanship of Fenner Brockway formed the Hydrogen Bomb National Campaign Committee with prominent members, such as Tony Benn and Anthony Greenwood. And CND was just a much larger, much non-politic movement, supported by the citizens. (Childs, p.90 - 91)
The CND organized annual marches. One of the most popular and important of them was the Aldermaston march of the 1958: it was a protest march from London to Aldermaston, which covered 50 miles between the 4th and the 7th of April.(Childs, p.91)
The spokesmen of the CND were called by the press “angry young men”. One of the most significant was John Osbourne who became famous over night with his play “Look back in Anger” (Childs, p. 92)

Childs, David. Britain Since 1945. London and New York: Routledge, 1997 (p.90-92)

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/696046.stm)

[[Category:Expansion]]

Aldermaston Marches

2012-07-09T04:58:01Z

Irina:

Series of demonstrations against nuclear weapons in the 1950s and 60s.

In 1958, protesters marched from Trafalgar Square, London, to the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment in Aldermaston (Berkshire); it took them about four days to cover the fifty-mile distance. In the following years, the direction was reversed. The peace symbol that was to become the logo of the [[CND]] was designed by Gerald Holtom for the first Aldermaston March.

Aldermaston in Berkshire is the only place where nuclear weapons are manufactured. Aldermaston is the headquarters of the UK´s Atomic Weapons Establishment. The AWE is responsible for the design and manufacture of the of the Trident submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile system. The AWE employs 4,000 people and is also involved in dismantling decommissioned and redundant nuclear weapons. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/696046.stm)
In the 50s one of the most influential members of the Labour party Nye Bevan argued, “Britain´s bomb could give the UK a decisive voice in international affairs”. “He believed the bomb could give Britain “the opportunity of interposing” between the US and Russia” (Childs, p.91)
It caused difficulties for the Labour Party on the political stage. Most delegates and political activists from the other parties, who used to support Bevan, voted other way. Some of these delegates were already involved in in a new mass movement, which later became the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. First of all it was a small group of MPs under the chairmanship of Fenner Brockway formed the Hydrogen Bomb National Campaign Committee with prominent members, such as Tony Benn and Anthony Greenwood. And CND was just a much larger, much non-politic movement, supported by the citizens. (Childs, p.90 - 91)
The CND organized annual marches. One of the most popular and important of them was the Aldermaston march of the 1958: it was a protest march from London to Aldermaston, which covered 50 miles between the 4th and the 7th of April.(Childs, p.91)
The spokesmen of the CND were called by the press “angry young men”. One of the most significant was John Osbourne who became famous over night with his play “Look back in Anger” (Childs, p. 92)

Childs, David. Britain Since 1945. London and New York: Routledge, 1997 (p.90-92)

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/696046.stm)

[[Category:Expansion]]

Spin doctors

2012-07-08T20:48:39Z

Irina:

1) Grunge Band.
2) Name for media advisors (because they are apt at doctoring a story and giving it a certain spin).

'''Masters of presentation'''

The most detailed explanation for the term "spin doctors" is given in the book "Soundbites and Spin Doctors", written by a BBC journalist and political correspondent Nicholas Jones: "Political spin doctors are usually fairly open about much of their work. Their natural habitat is around Westminster and at party conferences. They give advice on the content of speeches and the likely implication of votes and decisions. Their busiest times are immediately after major political developments, when journalists are often desperate to speak to authoritative sources capable of giving them instant interpretation of what has happened and also background guidance on the likely consequences. This can be a decisive moment, because the spin doctor is acting as a sounding board: if reporters have got the wrong impression, or their story- lines look like being damaging the party, then considerable powers of persuasion can be called for.
The most manipulative conversations tend to take place in private."
Spin doctors became very popular in the days of [[Tony Blair]] as a Prime Minister. Tony Blair was the first British Prime Minister to broadcast regularly on the world wide web. He was also the first to have a strategic communications unit in addition to his press office. With this the Labour Party adapted to the era of modern communication technologies (Seldon 3). In this way the role of image-makers and media advisors was more than significant for his political career. The [[Labour Party]] became "[[New Labour]]", Britannia became "[[Cool Britannia]]". Now "New Labour" was a brand.

'''Alastair Campbell'''

[[Alastair Campbell]] known as a chief spin doctor of the New Labour era is the best example. He went a long way, building his career, first as a spokesman of Tony Blair, then a leader of the opposition and at last the Downing Street press secretary from 1997 until 2000. His working day, starting at 6 in the morning was long: listening to the news, first call with Tony Blair, preparing for the meeting with the officials of No. 10, briefing to the lobby journalists, then sending a transcript of the meeting to all government departments etc. (http://news.bbc.co.uk).

Mass Media called him "a man who became a story" or even "the UK´s second most powerful man" (http://news.bbc.co.uk). As a master of presentation he was also hoist by his own petard, and all the information about him was used against him in the media. His pornographical writings, homosexual experiences, alcohol problems appeared on the surface and threw a big shadow on the reputation of the party. The last point was a scandal because of Campbell´s personal financies, when he bought a smart town house in London more suitable for entertaining the jet set than his modest apartment. It embarrassed Blair seriously. Campbell had to step down and to leave his office. Blair and his spin doctors lacked conviction. They were all spin and presentation, saying and doing things to please people, but not because they believed them (Seldon 3).

== Sources ==
Jones, Nicholas. "Soundbites and Spin Doctors".London: Cassell,1995.(p.123)
* Seldon, Antony. ''The Blair Effect''. London: Little Brown and Company, 2001.(p.3-4)
* Sully, Melanie A. ''The New Politics of Tony Blair''. New York: Columbia University Press, 2000.
* http://news.bbc.co.uk

Spin doctors

2012-06-29T07:45:53Z

Irina:

1) Grunge Band.
2) Name for media advisors (because they are apt at doctoring a story and giving it a certain spin).

'''Masters of presentation'''

Spin doctors became very popular in the days of Tony Blair as a Prime Minister. Tony Blair was the first British Prime Minister to broadcast regularly on the world wide web. He was also the first to have in addition to his press office a strategic communications unit. His Party was simply adopted to the era of modern communication technologies [quoted in Seldon:3]. In this way the role of image-makers and media advisors was more than significant for his political career. Tha Labour party became "New Labour", Britannia became "Cool Britannia". Now "New Labour" was a brand.

'''Alastair Campbell'''

Alastair Campbell known as a chief spin doctor of the New Labour era is the best example. He went a long way, building his career, first as a spokesman of Tony Blair, then a leader of the opposition and at last the Downing Street press secretary from 1997 till 2000. His working day, starting at 6 in the morning was long: listening to the news, first call with Tony Blair, preparing for the meeting with the officials of No. 10, briefing to the lobby journalists, then sending a transcript of the meeting to all government departments etc.

Mass Media called him "a man who became a story" or even "the UK´s second most powerful man" [http://news.bbc.co.uk]. As a master of presentation he was also hoist by his own petard, and all the information about him was used against him in the media. His pornographical writings, homosexual experiences, alcohol problems appeared on the surface and threw a big shadow on the reputation of the party. The last point was a scandal because of Campbell´s personal financies, when he bought a smart town house in London more suitable for entertaining the jet set than his modest apartment. It embarrassed Blair seriously. Campbell had to move downstairs and to live his office. Blair and his spin doctors lacked conviction. They were all spin and presentation, saying and doing things to please people, but not because they believed them [quoted in Seldon:3] Seldon, Antony. ''The Blair Effect'', London: Little Brown and Company, 2001.

Sully, Melanie A. ''The New Politics of Tony Blair'', New York: Columbia University Press, 2000.

http://news.bbc.co.uk

[[Category:Expansion]]

Spin doctors

2012-06-28T06:19:30Z

Irina:

1) Grunge Band.
2) Name for media advisors (because they are apt at doctoring a story and giving it a certain spin).
'''Masters of presentation'''
Spin doctors became very popular in the days of Tony Blair as a Prime Minister. Tony Blair was the first British Prime Minister to broadcast regularly on the world wide web. He was also the first to have in addition to his press office a strategic communications unit. His Party was simply adopted to the era of modern communication technologies.[Qouted in Seldon] In this way the role of image-makers and media advisors was more than significant for his political career. Tha Labour party became "New Labour", Britannia became "Cool Britannia". Now "New Labour" was a brand.
'''Alastair Campbell'''
Alastair Campbell known as a chief spin doctor of the New Labour era is the best example. He went a long way, building his career, first as a spokesman of Tony Blair, then a leader of the opposition and at last the Downing Street press secretary from 1997 till 2000. His working day, starting at 6 in the morning was long: listening to the news, first call with Mr. Blair, prepairing for the meeting with the officials of No. 10, briefing to the lobby journalists, then sending a transcript of the meeting to all government departments etc.
Mass Media called him "a man who became a story" or even "the UK´s second most powerful man". As a master of presentation he was also hoist by his own petard, and all the information about him was used against him in the media. His pornographical writings, homosexual experiences, alcohol problems appeared on the surface and threw a big shadow on the reputation of the party. The last point was a scandal because of Campbell´s personal financies, when he bought a smart town house in London more suitable for entertaining the jet set than his modest apartment. It embarrassed Blair seriously. Campbell had to move downstairs.
Blair and his spin doctors lacked conviction. They were all spin and presentation, saying and doing things to please pople, but not because they believed them.[Qouted in Seldon]

Seldon, Antony. ''The Blair Effect'' London: Little Brown and Company,2001
Sully, Melanie A. ''The New Politics of Tony Blair'' New York: Columbia University Press, 2000
http://news.bbc.co.uk

[[Category:Expansion]]

Spin doctors

2012-06-28T06:11:17Z

Irina:

1) Grunge Band.
2) Name for media advisors (because they are apt at doctoring a story and giving it a certain spin).
'''Masters of presentation'''
Spin doctors became very popular in the days of Tony Blair as a Prime Minister. Tony Blair was the first British Prime Minister to broadcast regularly on the world wide web. He was also the first to have in addition to his press office a strategic communications unit. His Party was simply adopted to the era of modern communication technologies. In this way the role of image-makers and media advisors was more than significant for his political career. Tha Labour party became "New Labour", Britannia became "Cool Britannia". Now "New Labour" was a brand.
'''Alastair Campbell'''
Alastair Campbell known as a chief spin doctor of the New Labour era is the best example. He went a long way, building his career, first as a spokesman of Tony Blair, then a leader of the opposition and at last the Downing Street press secretary from 1997 till 2000. His working day, starting at 6 in the morning was long: listening to the news, first call with Mr. Blair, prepairing for the meeting with the officials of No. 10, briefing to the lobby journalists, then sending a transcript of the meeting to all government departments etc.
Mass Media called him "a man who became a story" or even "the UK´s second most powerful man". As a master of presentation he was also hoist by his own petard, and all the information about him was used against him in the media. His pornographical writings, homosexual experiences, alcohol problems appeared on the surface and threw a big shadow on the reputation of the party. The last point was a scandal because of Campbell´s personal financies, when he bought a smart town house in London more suitable for entertaining the jet set than his modest apartment. It embarrassed Blair seriously. Campbell had to move downstairs.
Blair and his spin doctors lacked conviction. They were all spin and presentation, saying and doing things to please pople, but not because they believed them.

Seldon, Antony. ''The Blair Effect''.Little Brown and Company.London,2001
Sully, Melanie A. ''The New Politics of Tony Blair''Columbia University Press. New York, 2000
http://news.bbc.co.uk

[[Category:Expansion]]

Spin doctors

2012-06-28T06:03:05Z

Irina:

1) Grunge Band.
2) Name for media advisors (because they are apt at doctoring a story and giving it a certain spin).
'''Masters of presentation'''
Spin doctors became very popular in the days of Tony Blair as a Prime Minister. Tony Blair was the first British Prime Minister to broadcast regularly on the world wide web. He was also the first to have in addition to his press office a strategic communications unit. His Party was simply adopted to the era of modern communication technologies. In this way the role of image-makers and media advisors was more than significant for his political career. Tha Labour party became "New Labour", Britannia became "Cool Britannia". Now "New Labour" was a brand.
'''Alastair Campbell'''
Alastair Campbell known as a chief spin doctor of the New Labour era is the best example. He went a long way, building his career, first as a spokesman of Tony Blair, then a leader of the opposition and at last the Downing Street press secretary from 1997 till 2000. His working day, starting at 6 in the morning was long: listening to the news, first call with Mr. Blair, prepairing for the meeting with the officials of No. 10, briefing to the lobby journalists, then sending a transcript of the meeting to all government departments etc.
Mass Media called him "a man who became a story" or even "the UK´s second most powerful man". As a master of presentation he was also hoist by his own petard, and all the information about him was used against him in the media. His pornographical writing, homosexual experiences, alcohol problems appeared on the surface and threw a big shadow on the reputation of the party. The last point was scandal because of Campbell´s personal financies, when he bought a smart town house in London more suitable for entertaining the jet set than his modest apartment.It embarrassed Blair seriously. Campbell had to move downstairs.
Blair and his spin doctors lacked conviction. They were all spin and presentation, saying and doing things to please pople, but not because they believed them.

[[Category:Expansion]]