The British political scene changed dramatically on the 3rd May 1979 when the Labour Government, led by Jim Callaghan was swept from power after a Conservative general election victory.
The Conservatives had been led by Margaret Thatcher since 1975 and had benefited from the industrial turmoil of the winter of 1978. This winter became known as the ‘winter of discontent’ as millions of public sector workers went on strike paralysing services from ambulances to refuse collection.
This newly elected government was to remain in power for the next eighteen years, with its policies completely changing the economic and social landscape of the country. From its election in 1979 through the next decade, the Conservative government followed a right wing political agenda of lower direct taxation and public spending.
Britain’s economic base through to this period had been based on high levels of manufacturing employment. During the 1950s and 1960s, heavy industries such as steel manufacture and shipbuilding employed thousands of workers, often providing employment for entire communities.
