7 The Conservative Party and the ‘winter of discontent’
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John Shepherd
Abstract
This chapter examines the development and character of Conservative trade union policy during Margaret Thatcher's leadership of the opposition from 1975 to 1979. It focuses on to the impact of the 'winter of discontent' as the major turning point in Conservative electoral fortunes that eventually culminated in the May 1979 election victory. The 'winter of discontent' represented a watershed in late twentieth century British politics. Thatcher recalled that the industrial troubles which beset Callaghan's government contributed to the electoral gains of the Conservatives in 1979. At Westminster, Thatcher castigated the government's attempt to penalise the profitable Ford Company, a major exporter as 'blatant injustice'. Thatcher was well briefed by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), and other informants, who supplied her office with regular situation reports which revealed the widespread industrial action comprising strikes, overtime bans, work-to-rules and similar stoppages.
Abstract
This chapter examines the development and character of Conservative trade union policy during Margaret Thatcher's leadership of the opposition from 1975 to 1979. It focuses on to the impact of the 'winter of discontent' as the major turning point in Conservative electoral fortunes that eventually culminated in the May 1979 election victory. The 'winter of discontent' represented a watershed in late twentieth century British politics. Thatcher recalled that the industrial troubles which beset Callaghan's government contributed to the electoral gains of the Conservatives in 1979. At Westminster, Thatcher castigated the government's attempt to penalise the profitable Ford Company, a major exporter as 'blatant injustice'. Thatcher was well briefed by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), and other informants, who supplied her office with regular situation reports which revealed the widespread industrial action comprising strikes, overtime bans, work-to-rules and similar stoppages.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- List of illustrations viii
- Acknowledgements ix
- List of abbreviations xii
- 1 The 1970s 1
- 2 Election deferred and the collapse of the social contract 18
- 3 The Ford strike, 1978 38
- 4 The oil tanker drivers’ dispute and the road hauliers’ strike 59
- 5 Public sector strikes 82
- 6 Media coverage 108
- 7 The Conservative Party and the ‘winter of discontent’ 130
- 8 Political aftermath 147
- 9 In conclusion 168
- ‘Winter of discontent’, 1978–79 176
- Bibliography 179
- Index 196
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- List of illustrations viii
- Acknowledgements ix
- List of abbreviations xii
- 1 The 1970s 1
- 2 Election deferred and the collapse of the social contract 18
- 3 The Ford strike, 1978 38
- 4 The oil tanker drivers’ dispute and the road hauliers’ strike 59
- 5 Public sector strikes 82
- 6 Media coverage 108
- 7 The Conservative Party and the ‘winter of discontent’ 130
- 8 Political aftermath 147
- 9 In conclusion 168
- ‘Winter of discontent’, 1978–79 176
- Bibliography 179
- Index 196
