OCR Specification focus:
‘Heath’s aims and policies; industrial relations and the miners’ strike’
The Heath government of 1970–1974 faced immense political and economic challenges, balancing ambitious reformist goals with worsening industrial unrest and economic instability.
Edward Heath’s Aims and Ideology
Edward Heath became Conservative Prime Minister in 1970 with the intention of modernising Britain’s economy and governance. He sought to break away from post-war consensus politics, a bipartisan approach dominated by Keynesian economics, welfare state maintenance, and close trade union cooperation.
Key Aims
Economic Modernisation: Shift towards market-based solutions and reduce government intervention.
Industrial Reform: Tackle overmighty trade unions that were seen as obstructing productivity and reform.
European Integration: Secure Britain’s entry into the European Economic Community (EEC).
Social Policy: Reassert government authority in the face of what Heath perceived as excessive worker militancy.
Early Economic Policy and the “Selsdon Man”
Heath’s initial programme was influenced by the so-called Selsdon Group, a Conservative faction advocating free-market principles.
Reduced Government Spending: Move away from subsidies to industries seen as unproductive.
Tax Cuts and Incentives: Encouraged business investment.
Ending Prices and Incomes Policies: Abandon Labour’s attempts at wage and price controls.
This marked a sharp break with consensus politics, though Heath would later retreat from these free-market policies.
Industrial Relations Act 1971
The government’s most important initiative in industrial relations was the Industrial Relations Act of 1971, designed to curb union power.
Industrial Relations Act 1971: A Conservative measure introducing a National Industrial Relations Court, compulsory ballots before strikes, and the requirement for trade unions to register officially.
The Act sought to regulate strike action and restrict “wildcat” or unofficial strikes. It provoked fierce opposition from trade unions and led to widespread non-compliance. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) encouraged unions not to register, undermining the Act’s legitimacy.
Rising Economic Problems
By the early 1970s, global economic pressures compounded Britain’s domestic challenges.
Inflation: Rising steadily, partly driven by increased wage demands.
Unemployment: Higher than post-war levels, peaking at nearly one million in 1972.
Balance of Payments Issues: Britain struggled with international competitiveness.
Heath’s government reversed course in 1972, introducing a “U-turn” with expansionary policies, including subsidies to failing industries such as Rolls-Royce and Upper Clyde Shipbuilders.
The Miners’ Strikes
The most dramatic challenge to Heath’s government came from the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
1972 Miners’ Strike
Cause: Demand for higher wages after years of relative decline in miners’ pay.
Methods: Flying pickets and solidarity from other unions made the strike highly effective.
Impact: Coal shortages led to power cuts and a national crisis.
Result: The government conceded significant pay increases, seen as a major victory for the NUM.
1973–74 Miners’ Dispute
Context: Global oil crisis of 1973 worsened inflation and energy shortages.
NUM Demands: A new pay claim was rejected under government pay restraint policies.
Government Response: Heath declared a three-day week in early 1974 to conserve energy, restricting industrial and commercial electricity use.
The crisis highlighted the limits of government authority against determined union opposition.
Economic Consequences of Strikes
The confrontation with the miners had broader repercussions:
Inflation Escalation: Pay concessions fuelled wage-price spirals.
Loss of Business Confidence: Frequent strikes undermined economic stability.
Public Services Disruption: Electricity shortages, blackouts, and reduced working weeks damaged daily life and industrial output.
Political Fallout
By 1974, Heath’s government was weakened by both economic turmoil and industrial conflict.
“Who Governs?” Election
In February 1974, Heath called a snap election with the slogan “Who governs Britain – the government or the unions?”
The result was inconclusive: no party gained a majority.
Labour, under Harold Wilson, formed a minority government, ending Heath’s premiership.
Historical Interpretations
Historians remain divided over Heath’s government:
Some argue Heath was an unlucky leader, caught between global crises and an intransigent labour movement.
Others view him as a poor strategist, unable to manage industrial relations or sustain his economic vision.
The period marked the high point of trade union strength, exposing the fragility of Britain’s post-war economic model.
Key Themes for OCR Focus
Heath’s Aims and Policies: Modernisation, free-market orientation, European integration.
Industrial Relations Act 1971: Controversial attempt to regulate unions.
Miners’ Strikes: 1972 and 1973–74 disputes as pivotal in undermining the government.
Impact of Industrial Relations: Economic disruption, inflation, and political instability leading to electoral defeat.
FAQ
Earlier governments, particularly Labour, had relied on voluntary agreements and conciliation rather than legal restrictions. The Act marked a significant departure by attempting to bring unions under formal legal regulation through compulsory registration and the National Industrial Relations Court.
This approach was radical at the time and widely perceived by trade unions as an attack on their autonomy, contributing to widespread non-compliance.
Saltley Coke Depot in Birmingham became the symbolic centre of the 1972 dispute. Thousands of miners, joined by other workers, blockaded the depot to stop lorry drivers removing fuel.
The closure of Saltley forced the government to concede to miners’ demands and demonstrated the effectiveness of solidarity action, strengthening union confidence.
The oil crisis drove energy prices sharply higher, worsening inflation and economic instability.
It magnified the impact of the miners’ strike by limiting alternative energy supplies.
Heath’s reliance on coal became more acute, leaving him with little leverage against union demands.
Thus, the crisis linked global pressures to Britain’s domestic industrial conflict.
NUM leaders such as Joe Gormley balanced militancy with negotiation.
In 1972, the leadership capitalised on strong rank-and-file support for industrial action.
By 1973–74, leaders presented pay claims that directly challenged government policy, while still seeking settlement through official channels.
Their strategy ensured legitimacy for the strikes and kept the movement coordinated.
Public opinion was divided. Many sympathised with miners’ low pay compared to other workers, especially in 1972.
However, frustration grew over blackouts, power cuts, and disruption caused by strikes. Heath hoped the February 1974 election would rally support against union power, but the result was inconclusive.
This demonstrated the limits of public backing for either side during prolonged industrial conflict.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
In what year did Edward Heath’s government introduce the Industrial Relations Act?
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for correct year: 1971.
0 marks for incorrect answers.
(Maximum: 2 marks. Full 2 marks awarded for correct identification without need for elaboration.)
Question 2 (6 marks)
Explain two reasons why the miners’ strikes of 1972 and 1973–74 posed such difficulties for Heath’s government.
Mark Scheme:
Up to 3 marks for each reason explained (2 marks for clear description, 1 mark for developed explanation linking back to Heath’s government).
Indicative content:
• 1972 strike: effective flying pickets at Saltley and solidarity from other unions disrupted coal distribution, forcing government concessions on pay (up to 3 marks).
• 1973–74 strike: compounded by oil crisis; miners’ wage demands challenged Heath’s pay restraint policy, leading to the Three-Day Week and widespread disruption to industry (up to 3 marks).Maximum: 6 marks (two well-explained reasons).
