Page 146 - Culture Media Language Working Papers in Cultural Studies

TELEVISION NEWS AND THE SOCIAL CONTRACT 135

1974, at which the Labour Government’s Social Contract was ‘officially’
endorsed; the second, from the TUC Conference in September 1977 which
rejected a further year of pay restraint but agreed to hold to the Government’s
twelve-month rule. Each employs H (actuality extracts) extensively to recruit the
Government’s definitions to television’s account.

1
Actuality scenes of delegates applauding. Voice over:
The Prime Minister gets a standing ovation from the TUC at Brighton after a
speech that is seen as reinforcing the prospects of an October election.

In studio, newsreader talking direct to camera:
Mr Wilson in a forty-five minute address outlined the achievements of a
Labour Government, attacked Conservative policies and praised the Social
Contract on which, he said, Labour’s policies and hopes for a better future
depended. Mr Wilson also attacked those whom he said had already been
fighting the next election campaign for several months.

Wilson seen addressing delegates:
Britain’s ability to fight inflation and our trade gap have been inhibited by the
fact that from the moment a minority Government was formed there were those
in the political world, and in the press, in finance and in some of those well-
heeled activities on the fringe of productive industry, who have been more
concerned with fighting the next general election. All right, they’ll have their
chance. We must be prepared though for an all-out effort on their part for, say, a
few more weeks (laughter and applause).

2

Actuality scenes of delegates applauding. Voice over:
A standing ovation for the Prime Minister from the TUC after telling them
some hard facts about the economy.

In studio, newsreader talking direct to camera:
Good evening. The Prime Minister today delivered to the trade unions his plea
for moderate pay deals and for maintaining twelve-month intervals between pay
rises. He said he believed the moderate increases and reduced taxation were the
best way forward. He refused to go back on what he called the absurd inflation
of 1974/1975. Instead he hoped to see inflation below 10 per cent. Mr Callaghan
believed this was possible with moderation and the Government could respond
by stimulating the economy. He hinted at a mini-Budget later this year, saying, ‘I