Who Governs Britain?

Sam Warner is a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Politics at the University of Manchester

• Introduction1 Managing the trade unions: four themes2 Planning for government3 Turning strategy into action4 The Act’s institutions5 Bringing the law into disrepute6 Putting the Act ‘on ice’7 Who governs Britain?ConclusionIndex

‘With a Conservative government proposing yet more legislation to curb trade unions and workers’ right to strike, Sam Warner’s superb study of the Heath Government’s 1971 Industrial Relations Act is particularly timely. Using a wealth of archival and primary sources, he eloquently provides a fascinating and well-researched case study of how Heath’s legislative attempt to promote more moderate and responsible trade unionism, and thus fewer strikes, had precisely the opposite effect, by serving to mobilise many trade unions against the government and radicalise hitherto moderate union members. Warner’s rigorous study highlights the supreme irony of the 1971 Act, namely that a measure which aimed to “de-politicise” industrial relations and trade unionism actually had precisely opposite effect; a wonderful example of a major policy failure – from which Margaret Thatcher’s governments learned vital lessons.’Pete Dorey, Professor of British Politics, Cardiff University