The Unions’ Political Role: Relations with the Conservative Government, 1979–90

Abstract

There is no doubt that the unions’ political role has reduced significantly since 1979. There are a number of related reasons for this change. First, the unions have always had a closer relationship, if not always a total harmonious one, with Labour governments. The election of the Conservatives in 1979 inevitably meant that the relationship between the unions and government would deteriorate, particularly because, as we have seen, the newly-elected government was committed to trade union reform and that commitment had played a significant part in their manifesto and election campaign.