The Historian’s Toolkit Block 1 – 1979 and all that: writing contemporary history Thatcherism and the Crisis of the Left Dr Simon Peplow Simon.Peplow@Warwick.ac.uk

Thatcherism and the Crisis of the Left The Trade Unions in Britain. The Miners’ Strike. Rise of Labour’s Left/Party split. Conclusions.

Thatcher’s handwritten notes before July 1984 speech. The ‘Enemy Within’ ‘Since Office Enemy without – beaten him & strong in defence Enemy within – Miners’ leaders Liverpool & some local authorities – just as dangerous in a way more difficult to fight’ Thatcher’s handwritten notes before July 1984 speech.

The Trade Unions The unions won credit for their role organising/managing WWII production. Union leaders were often national figures (Ernest Bevin, Walter Citrine). They had ‘earned the right to participate in policymaking’. At the shop-floor level, unions were powerful co-managers of production. Ernest Bevin General secretary of Transport and General Workers' Union (1922–40), and Minister of Labour (1940-45).

Trade Union membership (in millions) 1979 – Margaret Thatcher elected Prime Minister

Ian Macleod Minister of Labour (1955-59) The Trade Unions Full employment brought growing wage pressure and rising levels of industrial disputes. The Conservative right and rank-and-file members in the 1950s began to feel uneasy about their government’s ties to the unions. Even under Labour after 1964, relations between government and unions grew very tense. Ian Macleod Minister of Labour (1955-59)

The 1970s: ‘Crisis? What Crisis?’ Breakdown of so-called ‘postwar consensus’. Growth in more right-wing economic thought. ‘Monetarism’ has been associated with Thatcherism (although Thatcher actually later denied that she was ever a monetarist…) IMF loan -> Labour forced to cut public spending -> conflict with unions -> ‘Winter of Discontent’. Public opinion of unions deteriorated by 1979.

Approaches towards the Unions in Thatcher’s early days in power Cautious beginnings – weak position, legacy of union power damaging previous governments. Conservatives introduced Acts of Parliament to curb trade unions (Employment Acts). 1980 Act – restricted picketing and limited the pre-entry closed shop (compelling workers to join unions prior to employment in that field). 1982 Act – introduced compensation for those fired for not joining a union, made trade unions liable for damages, defined what were ‘legitimate’ industrial disputes, and allowed firms to fire strikers without facing unfair dismissal cases. Trade Union Act 1984 – required unions to hold secret ballots before strikes -> financial impact on unions.

Second term: Thatcher ‘ready for war’ Thatcher’s personal popularity/position had improved – ready to take on power of unions. Power of unions diminishes with growing unemployment – decreases in recruitment, workplace power, and finances. Declining coal industry led to battle with miners.

National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Arthur Scargill, key figure in NUM from early 1970s. Significant section of British labour movement had turned to the left in the 1970s. Thatcher’s clash with miners is symbolic of her broader battle against the militant left – the ‘enemy within’. Arthur Scargill

Miners’ Strike (1984-85) Cortonwood walkout. Government preparation – to avoid repeat of 1974. Massive deployment of police, ensuing violence. Absence of strike vote at national level -> few other major trade unions supported NUM. Solidarity with strikers often from elsewhere.

Women Against Pit Closures

Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners

Labour’s Left and ‘Wilderness Years’ Historically, left-wing of Labour Party rarely particularly militant force in British politics. 1979-83: Labour Party underwent ‘virtual civil war’ (Steven Fielding). Tony Benn – and rise of the ‘Bennite Left’. Michael Foot, from left of Party, elected leader 1980. Tony Benn

Social Democratic Party (SDP) Fierce battle between left and right in Labour Party leads to split and SDP formation in 1981. ‘Gang of Four’: Shirley Williams, David Owen, Roy Jenkins, and Bill Rodgers.

SDP Manifesto (1983) ‘Our Alliance wants to call a halt to confrontation politics… Because we are not the prisoners of ideology we shall listen to the people we represent and ensure that the good sense of the voters is allowed to illuminate the corridors of Westminster and Whitehall.’

‘The longest suicide note in history’ 1983 Labour Manifesto – nuclear disarmament, higher taxation for the rich, withdrawal from European Economic Community, abolition of House of Lords, and re-nationalisations. Conservative election victory: increased parliamentary majority from 43 to 144 seats (although total Tory vote fell by almost 700,000). Worst Labour Party general election result since 1918.

1983 Conservative Election Campaign poster – depicting splits and in-fighting within Labour Party. Poster suggests prominent left-wing politician Tony Benn and Labour Leader Michael Foot fighting each other – not to mention others or the SDP split.

The ‘Loony Left’ Greater London Council Top-tier local government administrative body (1965-86). ‘Resist Thatcherism on a wider more organised basis’. Leader Ken Livingstone deliberately antagonised Thatcher. Dissolved in 1986 by Local Government Act – politically motivated, removing powerful vehicle of opposition to Thatcher’s Government. Rise of Militant Hard-left Trotskyist entryist group (1964-1991) – by 1991, some 219 Militant members expelled from Labour.

Road to ‘New Labour’ Neil Kinnock elected Labour leader after 1983 election defeat. Labour more moderate under Kinnock – critical of Scargill and Labour Militants. Tony Blair (1994-2007) reforms party image – abolishes Clause 4, keeps existing spending plans for 1997-99. 1997 election: Labour 418 seats (43%), Conservatives 165 (31%). Influence of Thatcher?