Tag Archives: Frank Bryning

[May 18th, 1970] Rematch (Vision of Tomorrow #9)

Black & White Photo of writer of piece Kris Vyas-Mall
By Mx Kris Vyas-Myall

As I am writing this, the news has come in confirming we will have a general election in one month’s time. This is not an entirely surprising move. Wilson would have been required to call one by March next year at the latest and, for the sake of parliamentary business, it is often seen as better to call one in May or June, in the lead up to the summer recess but before international conferences, like Britain’s negotiation for the common market (so the country’s leadership doesn’t change midway through as in Potsdam).

Harold Wilson out campaigning

However, it is also hard not notice this has occurred at the same time as a massive shift in fortunes of opinion polling for the government. In January, Marplan polling gave Labour a 13 point deficit to the Conservatives, their most recent figures give them a 3 point lead. This is matched by figures from NOP and Gallup, whilst Harris polling gives them a two point lead. The main reason for this turn around is seen as economic fundamentals turning in Wilson’s favour. Wages are rising faster than inflation, the balance of payments crisis seems to be easing, EEC entry is finally on the horizon, and more houses are being built than ever before.

However, there are a number of reasons for us not to assume this is a done deal. Most obviously, if the polls can swing 16 points one way in a few months, there is no reason they could not shift a few points back by election day. In fact Labour’s support has been so rocky over the past 6 years, not because their voters are switching to the Conservatives and back, but they are just saying they will try the liberals or not vote for anyone. The thing about floating voters is one rough current means they are carried miles away.

Secondly, this will be the first nationwide election held under the new Representation of the People Act, giving those aged 18-20 the right to vote for the first time. As such it is new territory for pollsters to try to guess how many will vote and if they are indeed talking to the right kind of young person. Who is more representative of the voter who will turn up, the firebrand on campus or the working-class single mother?

Edward Heath left and Enoch Powell right

Finally, there is the Powell factor. In spite of his removal from the Conservative frontbenches, Enoch Powell’s brand of populism has continued to cause a stir around the country. His bombastic statements on the immigrant birth rates, the need to cut the government budget and condemning American involvement in Vietnam, sometimes seem to get as much coverage as a speech from Mr. Wilson or Mr. Heath. Whether more scrutiny will draw in or push away from voters to the Tory cause is something that is very hard to predict.

Vision of Tomorrow #9
Cover for Vision of Tomorrow #9 illustrating Rebel Planet, with a man looking at a rocket passing a planet.
Cover and all internal illustrations by Eddie Jones

On the other hand, Vision of Tomorrow is as predictable as always. It has got into a groove of quiet competence of late and much of it sticks to well-trodden paths.

Continue reading [May 18th, 1970] Rematch (Vision of Tomorrow #9)

[February 16, 1970] Unassailable Fortresses? A Full-Five pair of issues: (Vision of Tomorrow #6)


By Mx Kris Vyas-Myall

We are only in the second month of the new decade, but one thing seems to be clear. Women are no longer willing to be silent.

A group of women standing outside Benjamin Simon, cheering at the camera

In Leeds, hundreds of women textile workers have walked out on unofficial strike. They are opposing the pay deal struck between their union and employer, claiming it is unfair that women will be getting smaller pay increases than their male co-workers.

Women's Weekend Programme flyer saying:
Women's Weekend to be held at Buxton Hall, Ruskin College, Oxford on February 27th, 28th, March 1st.
Fee 10s for the weekend.
Programme
Papers to be discussed on Saturday and Sunday morning will be distributed on Friday.
Friday Evening - 8PM: Brief reports from existing groups and organisations. Accounts of activities and projects. Discussion. (This session is closed to men).
Saturday - 10am-1PM: The Social Role of Women (3 Papers)
1) What is the Family?
2) What is the Mother's Role?
3) Changing Patterns of Delinquency Amonst Women
Discussion

Saturday - 2PM-6PM: Women and the Economy (4 Papers)
1) Women under capitalism (including the housewife and advertising).
2) What is 'Women's Work'?
3) Equal Pay
4) Women's Role in Industrial Militancy and in Trade Unions.
Discussion

Saturday - 8PM: Informal Discussion:
Possibility of convening small workshops of particular interest to groups of individuals. One suggestion is "Different ways of living together", the kibbutz, etc.

Sunday - 10am-1PM: Women and Revolution (3 Papers)
1) The Myth of Inactivity: Women in historic struggles.
2) Women and the working class.
3) Political Perspectives on Women's Struggles.
Sunday - PM: Where are we going? (This session is closed to men).
Free discussion to include work of local groups, forthcoming actions, national/international co-ordination, further meetings.
Groups and organisations are asked to contribute brief papers summarising their present work. Please try and duplicate these yourselves. If this is not possible send a gestener foolscap stencil to Juliet Mitchell, 4, Cardozo rd., London N7.
There will be a literature stall. Bring my stuff you or your group has produced on the position of women.
Free accommodation (bring sleeping bags) and limited creche facilities will be available. No hot meals.
Application for accomodation and creche facitilties must be made by Feb 4th. All people making their own arrangements must register for the weekend by Feb 15th. Fees payable at the door.
Please send donations. Please circularise this information among all women you know,

At the other end of the social scale, the hallowed halls of Oxford is set to host the “Women’s Weekend”. Tired of being ignored and shouted down by men at other meetings, this will be an all-women conference to discuss women’s history and their current position in the world.

Annie Nightingale in 1970 wearing headphones and holding two records above her head in each hand.

In a more literal sense, a woman’s voice can now be heard on British Pop Radio. After hiring an all-male team from Pirate Radio and Radio Luxembourg to start Radio 1, the BBC have finally branched out and employed their first woman DJ. Annie Nightingale is only thirty but has already had an impressive career, including working as a journalist, presenting numerous music television programmes, having a modelling career and running her own fashion boutique.

Whether this will lead to changes in British science fiction publishing remains to be seen. The Current Issue of Vision of Tomorrow’s only female representation is in its review columnists. Maybe we need to organize our own flying pickets?

However, maybe some of this atmosphere is affecting our writers, as all these stories are, in one way or another, about people trying to break out of their social circumstances. So, let’s walk through the stench of cigar smoke in this gentleman’s club and check out the contents:

Vision of Tomorrow #6

Cover Vision of Tomorrow #6 showing a ringed planet illuminted by a red sun against a starfield.
Caption says:
The Phoenix People
Brunner - Tubb - Broderick
Cover Art by David A. Hardy

Continue reading [February 16, 1970] Unassailable Fortresses? A Full-Five pair of issues: (Vision of Tomorrow #6)