Narrating Crisis: The Discursive Construction of the `Winter of Discontent'

摘要: The winter of discontent continues to exert a powerful hold over the British political imaginary. It acts as discursive key collective mythology seemingly appealed to, and conjured, in each wave industrial unrest, hint turmoil and, until recently, whenever election Labour Government looked credible. In this paper I consider rhetorical strategies linguistic devices deployed by tabloid media narration events 1978-79. argue for an interpretation moment state crisis. By crisis however do not refer mere accumulation contradictions but rather transition, decisive intervention. Within such framework, emerges strategic transformation state, perhaps pre-history Thatcherism. For, hope demonstrate, initial appeal New Right was premised upon its ability offer convincing construction symptomatic more fundamental state. crisis, particular type intervention called for. proved itself capable changing, if hearts minds electorate, then certainly predominant perceptions context. recruited subjects vision necessary response monolithic besieged trade unions. This only truly hegemonic occurred well before Mrs Thatcher entered Number 10. is thus surprising that one most enduring distinctive legacies Thatcherism has been new lexicon siege subterfuge born discontent. Language: en