Let's all go down the Strand - Images of 1984 reboot
- Thread starter Will Ritson
- Start date
Damn, I feel bad for Attlee. Such an ambitious man, with a great vision for a great British future, but removed out from under his feet like a rug.
Thanks for the comments.
A considerable amount of Attlee's challenge here is:
a) Stronger Independent Labour Party
b) Mosley remaining Labour
c) Goldstein's life following a different path into politics as opposed to whatever he did in OTL
The result is a stronger, more radical, left wing by 1945 which wasn't the most practical thing to have in the post war era, making either a radical/left coup inevitable or a third-party orchestrating a centre-based National government. The result was a schism, which was probably inevitable in either scenario.
The problems in early 1953 following the "Twelfth day" and the North Sea Flood brought matters to a head.
A considerable amount of Attlee's challenge here is:
a) Stronger Independent Labour Party
b) Mosley remaining Labour
c) Goldstein's life following a different path into politics as opposed to whatever he did in OTL
The result is a stronger, more radical, left wing by 1945 which wasn't the most practical thing to have in the post war era, making either a radical/left coup inevitable or a third-party orchestrating a centre-based National government. The result was a schism, which was probably inevitable in either scenario.
The problems in early 1953 following the "Twelfth day" and the North Sea Flood brought matters to a head.
Thanks everyone for the comments and for your patience!!! Hopefully have an update at the weekend.
@Nick NWO There are quite a lot of changes from the original. I'm going to be far kinder to some of OTL figures in this edition, plus the flash-forwards hopefully tie up a few loose ends and cultural references. I plan on eventually taking the story up to the late 2020s, although my insistence with naming each chapter after a contemporary song with appropriate lyrics is becoming very challenging in the 1950s, although the 60s is very easy in that respect.
(teaser - there is a chapter written called "Petula, Cilla, Dusty and Sandie" which has four mid-60s vignettes ie. All around there are girls and boys / It's a swingin' place - A cellar full of noise, which isn't what it first appears to mean ITTL).
@Nick NWO There are quite a lot of changes from the original. I'm going to be far kinder to some of OTL figures in this edition, plus the flash-forwards hopefully tie up a few loose ends and cultural references. I plan on eventually taking the story up to the late 2020s, although my insistence with naming each chapter after a contemporary song with appropriate lyrics is becoming very challenging in the 1950s, although the 60s is very easy in that respect.
(teaser - there is a chapter written called "Petula, Cilla, Dusty and Sandie" which has four mid-60s vignettes ie. All around there are girls and boys / It's a swingin' place - A cellar full of noise, which isn't what it first appears to mean ITTL).
At the rate I'm going...I would have thought it would become even more challenging in the 2020s...
XIV :: This Ole House
This old house once rang with laughter / This old house heard many shouts / Now she trembles in the darkness / When the lightnin' walks about
-----
The Civil disturbances had grown in their verocity in the days following the death of Sir Waldron Smithers and the subsequent shootings in Wigan, the most serious being the ambush of two military vehicles by partisans at Standedge in Lancashire, with petrol bombs thrown inside, killing six soldiers and injuring several others.
Reprisals - justified by the government at the time - were carried out, including the arrest and interogation of several trades unionist leaders in Oldham, three of whom it was claimed died while trying to escape custody.
The successful test detonation of an atom bomb by Britain in the Pacific the following week calmed matters somewhat. The government worked well with the press to publicise the test and there was something of a veiled threat in the story and a return to some semblance of normality on the streets. Inside Westminster, however, it was a different picture. As uncomfortable as it was for the National Labour coalition partners, it was difficult to defend the aggression when soldiers and a colleague had been murdered. Emergency legislation passed smoothly through the House of Commons, bringing in special powers for police forces and outlawing several trades unions that were seen as a danger. The bill also included emergency powers to withdraw the franchise from members of illegal groups.
The left, on the opposition benches, were in outcry, calling it an end to democracy. When it was enacted it believed that legislation initially disenfranchised over six hundred thousand people.
For many though, the emergency powers were a welcome relief. Supplies and trade had been hit by ten days of disturbances, business was suffering and many workers had been put on short-time. "Getting Britain working" was a key message that was used by the National Conservative candidate for Smithers' Orpington seat, and one that went down well with the working class Tories.
-----
We cannot tolerate this enemy within, dictating to us through the mob and the brick. These people call themselves socialists, but to me they do not represent society. To me there would be no such thing as society with these people in charge, only anarchy. We provide an alternative. A movement based upon the values that our society holds dear. That great Conservative of the last century, Mr. Disraeli, talked of One-nation Conservatism and that holds true today. Friends, I stand here today to say that this country offers the working man the support of the state through determination, aspiration and honest toil. We shall get Britain working once again and this message embodies the values personified by Mr. Disraeli. These are our values. This is true English Socialism.
-----
-----
Observatory Street, Jericho, Oxford. 1954
The small printing press rattled. The smell of ink filled the air.
He couldn't believe how ramshackle operations had become over the two months that he'd been back home for Dad's funeral and an attempt at getting the house in order. At least he was confident that things were OK over there.
CRUNCH!
The printing press jammed. Typical, when he was printing the "emergency special". He decided reluctantly to call it a day and decamped with a couple of others for some fresh air on St. Giles and a pint in the Eagle and Child.
He'd been pondering his options on the aeroplanes back to Britain and felt that the newspaper needed a fresh look. He was, of course, prepared to invest some of his own money in order to get it right, but with that would come some some ownership of the title and the direction.
He wanted to used the family company, to recognise his father's brand, but at the same time he wanted the newspaper to be a voice.
A thought, a smile. The lightbulb had been turned on.
Rupert pulled out the pen and scribbled on the back of a beermat.
NEWS SPEAK
-----
The emergency powers were enacted. The general election was on the horizon with many disenfranchised. Independent Labour cried foul, but it was to no avail. The Brown Lions guarded the polling stations in the name of democracy. There were disturbances; rival protests; boycotts; stone throwing; people disenfranchised. The election itself saw the collapse of National Labour except in a few constituencies - Attlee himself losing his East-end seat in a straight fight with Independent Labour candidate Solomon Kaye.
Despite seeing an increase in seats, Independent Labour failed to reach a majority, although it was later argued that this may have been possible if people had not been prevented from voting. Indeed, the coalition parties also failed to reach a majority, resulting in a hung parliament and a National minority government. It was, as Goldstein quipped to Moseley, the end of true British democracy.
-----
Westminster. September 2015
The architect and his colleague stood on the entrance to Westminster Bridge. The costs, they were certain, would run into billions of dollars. A full restoration - the government were crazy. Far better to build something new, from scratch, but good old George wasn't a fan of modern buildings and Londoners had had enough of concrete boxes over recent years. What they needed was solace in the familiar, like the rebuild of St. Pancras had set out to achieve. No doubt the contract for the Parliament building would go to yet another American firm, although the Indians were increasingly competitive. Look at what they'd achieved in Slough with the garden city and the new airport. The influence of Luytens had clearly impressed on the authorities in New Delhi.
The clock tower struck fourteen and the men sighed. Of course it all needed to be restored. In the meantime there was the great demolition to oversee. They turned around and looked north westwards at the infamous monstrosity rising into the September sky. The scaffolding was going up around the Ministry of Love.
-----
Ain't gonna need this house no longer, ain't gonna need this house no more
This old house once rang with laughter / This old house heard many shouts / Now she trembles in the darkness / When the lightnin' walks about
-----
The Civil disturbances had grown in their verocity in the days following the death of Sir Waldron Smithers and the subsequent shootings in Wigan, the most serious being the ambush of two military vehicles by partisans at Standedge in Lancashire, with petrol bombs thrown inside, killing six soldiers and injuring several others.
Reprisals - justified by the government at the time - were carried out, including the arrest and interogation of several trades unionist leaders in Oldham, three of whom it was claimed died while trying to escape custody.
The successful test detonation of an atom bomb by Britain in the Pacific the following week calmed matters somewhat. The government worked well with the press to publicise the test and there was something of a veiled threat in the story and a return to some semblance of normality on the streets. Inside Westminster, however, it was a different picture. As uncomfortable as it was for the National Labour coalition partners, it was difficult to defend the aggression when soldiers and a colleague had been murdered. Emergency legislation passed smoothly through the House of Commons, bringing in special powers for police forces and outlawing several trades unions that were seen as a danger. The bill also included emergency powers to withdraw the franchise from members of illegal groups.
The left, on the opposition benches, were in outcry, calling it an end to democracy. When it was enacted it believed that legislation initially disenfranchised over six hundred thousand people.
For many though, the emergency powers were a welcome relief. Supplies and trade had been hit by ten days of disturbances, business was suffering and many workers had been put on short-time. "Getting Britain working" was a key message that was used by the National Conservative candidate for Smithers' Orpington seat, and one that went down well with the working class Tories.
-----
We cannot tolerate this enemy within, dictating to us through the mob and the brick. These people call themselves socialists, but to me they do not represent society. To me there would be no such thing as society with these people in charge, only anarchy. We provide an alternative. A movement based upon the values that our society holds dear. That great Conservative of the last century, Mr. Disraeli, talked of One-nation Conservatism and that holds true today. Friends, I stand here today to say that this country offers the working man the support of the state through determination, aspiration and honest toil. We shall get Britain working once again and this message embodies the values personified by Mr. Disraeli. These are our values. This is true English Socialism.
-----
-----
Observatory Street, Jericho, Oxford. 1954
The small printing press rattled. The smell of ink filled the air.
He couldn't believe how ramshackle operations had become over the two months that he'd been back home for Dad's funeral and an attempt at getting the house in order. At least he was confident that things were OK over there.
CRUNCH!
The printing press jammed. Typical, when he was printing the "emergency special". He decided reluctantly to call it a day and decamped with a couple of others for some fresh air on St. Giles and a pint in the Eagle and Child.
He'd been pondering his options on the aeroplanes back to Britain and felt that the newspaper needed a fresh look. He was, of course, prepared to invest some of his own money in order to get it right, but with that would come some some ownership of the title and the direction.
He wanted to used the family company, to recognise his father's brand, but at the same time he wanted the newspaper to be a voice.
A thought, a smile. The lightbulb had been turned on.
Rupert pulled out the pen and scribbled on the back of a beermat.
NEWS SPEAK
-----
The emergency powers were enacted. The general election was on the horizon with many disenfranchised. Independent Labour cried foul, but it was to no avail. The Brown Lions guarded the polling stations in the name of democracy. There were disturbances; rival protests; boycotts; stone throwing; people disenfranchised. The election itself saw the collapse of National Labour except in a few constituencies - Attlee himself losing his East-end seat in a straight fight with Independent Labour candidate Solomon Kaye.
Despite seeing an increase in seats, Independent Labour failed to reach a majority, although it was later argued that this may have been possible if people had not been prevented from voting. Indeed, the coalition parties also failed to reach a majority, resulting in a hung parliament and a National minority government. It was, as Goldstein quipped to Moseley, the end of true British democracy.
-----
-----
Westminster. September 2015
The architect and his colleague stood on the entrance to Westminster Bridge. The costs, they were certain, would run into billions of dollars. A full restoration - the government were crazy. Far better to build something new, from scratch, but good old George wasn't a fan of modern buildings and Londoners had had enough of concrete boxes over recent years. What they needed was solace in the familiar, like the rebuild of St. Pancras had set out to achieve. No doubt the contract for the Parliament building would go to yet another American firm, although the Indians were increasingly competitive. Look at what they'd achieved in Slough with the garden city and the new airport. The influence of Luytens had clearly impressed on the authorities in New Delhi.
The clock tower struck fourteen and the men sighed. Of course it all needed to be restored. In the meantime there was the great demolition to oversee. They turned around and looked north westwards at the infamous monstrosity rising into the September sky. The scaffolding was going up around the Ministry of Love.
-----
Ain't gonna need this house no longer, ain't gonna need this house no more
Here it comes.
Newspeak doesn't seem to turn up until after the events of 1984, given than Smith, Julia O'Brien, etc. all seem to be talking the Queen's English, with O'Brien discussing its imminent introduction, and the appendix describing its use does so in the past tense - one of the few spots of hope in the entirety of the book. Still, its roots have to come from somewhere.
It's already in use for Ministry internal memos, with Winston receiving instructions in Newspeak ("Times 14.2.84 miniplenty malquoted chocolate rectify" etc).
Hmm, fair enough. That still implies a status closer to SMS-speak.
...oh god, imagine Oceanian emoji.
Astounding. VAguely recall the book (maybe I said this, sorry if I did, with length between updates it's hard to recall) but I can definitely see it as just Britain. Some questions:
1. Will N. Ireland automatically go to Ireland? It seems rather hard for them to keep those counties, better to have it just the one island.
2. Is there a Radio Free Britain opreating out of Calais by the U.S. - and perhaps with India as a helper? Meaning India likely goes right into the U.S. camp and isn't really walking a tightrope TTL.
3. Will we see a massive flood of British citizens fleeing? Perhaps getting to N. ireland first?
Maybe I shoudl just read the other and not bother with this, I just keep hping it'll update fast but I know how busy life can get.
Which should show you how much I enjoy this; often I don't wait on something and like to wait sometimes till it's all done before I read something (or at least mostly so). This is a great read.
1. Will N. Ireland automatically go to Ireland? It seems rather hard for them to keep those counties, better to have it just the one island.
2. Is there a Radio Free Britain opreating out of Calais by the U.S. - and perhaps with India as a helper? Meaning India likely goes right into the U.S. camp and isn't really walking a tightrope TTL.
3. Will we see a massive flood of British citizens fleeing? Perhaps getting to N. ireland first?
Maybe I shoudl just read the other and not bother with this, I just keep hping it'll update fast but I know how busy life can get.
Which should show you how much I enjoy this; often I don't wait on something and like to wait sometimes till it's all done before I read something (or at least mostly so). This is a great read.