George, Joe (2022) A comparative study, into policy responses by Edward Heath and Margaret Thatcher, to industrial disputes in the Coal industry. Masters thesis, York St John University.
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Abstract
Margaret Thatcher and Ted Heath’s premierships were mired with industrial disputes in the coal industry and a myriad of industrial relations reforms. The 1970s and early 1980s are years characterised by a growth in militant trade unionism, in turn industrial relations policy would define these two Prime Ministers. This thesis sets out to demonstrates that the personal and structural constraints faced by Heath prevented him from governing effectively, Thatcher learned the lessons from Heath’s premiership and weakened the unions though economic means. I will also set out the coal industries decline and the general trajectory of the coal unions from 1912, to give context and an explanation of events in the 1970s and 1980s. Thought out the thesis I use a predominately case study-based approach, but overall, the thesis uses mixed methods. The coal industry in decline section uses predominately a quantitative analysis. While the rest of the thesis uses qualitative and case study analysis. Overall Thatcher was able to prevail and reform the industrial relations system in the UK though economic reform, industrial relations legislation and defeating strikes. She was successful because she used a mixture of planning, pragmatism and the benefit of hindsight. Thatcher affectively planned for major strike action though the Ridley plan where Heath didn’t. Knowing the industrial relations act (IRA) 1971 failed. Thatcher took a pragmatic approach and focused on enforceable legislation. All of this however could only be achieved through the benefit of hindsight.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Subjects: | J Political Science > JC Political theory |
| School/Department: | School of Humanities |
| URI: | https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/8336 |
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