Thatcher Government's use of police to control demonstration

rick wrote:So OT, you got £60,000, the family who should have had the council house to rent got a £70,000 debt instead at a much higher cost. You gained, but did the UK?

During its years in power, the Thatcher government managed to weaken the stranglehold labour unions held over industry and government in Britain. Thatcher saw this as a very important part of her plans for the country. Unions had contributed towards, or been responsible for, the downfall of three successive governments. In 1980, 82, 84 and 88 legislation was introduced affecting the Unions. Unions in Britain had priced many of their members out of jobs by demanding excessive wages for insufficient output.

...... at about the same time as the miners' strikes, the Tories won battles with staff at the Government Communications Headquarters. The leashing of unions began to produce prominent signs of economic efficiency: From 1973-9, general economic productivity amounted to 1% or so p.a. Since then productivity has doubled, and in the manufacturing sector it has quadrupled, due, in part to declining union clout.

As mentioned above Thatcher believed very strongly in the freedom of the individual and the removal of the state from the market system. So her government started a series of massive privatisations in 1981 with British Telecom. Thatcher also saw this as a way of stopping the inevitable conflict of interests between owners and workers. Workers in the companies were offered cut - price shares to encourage them to own part of the business. This removed the need for trade unions (although most employees simply cashed in on their shares).

Mrs. Thatcher's tenure included reforms in public spending and social services which helped make Britain's economy more efficient.

hairyharry wrote:the UK electorate got rid of Harold Wilson, thank heaven - mind you servicemen in the armed forces have the vote so I guess you are partly correct udonuk1 - proof there is a first time for everything

lepidoptra wrote:I must agree with Khun Paul on this one. The miners in the Scargill Country were led like lambs to the slaughter by dear old Arthur. The miners in the Midlands acted in a much more democratic way. The police who always come under fire from extreme lefties were in a very difficult position. I believe they would have acted in a similar fashion whatever government was in power. The current mess that the UK finds itself now was not because of Maggie but the blatant mis-managment of the 13 years of Labour rule. I tend not to take sides in the red and yellow shirt dispute but the violence shown by the Red shirted protest was disgraceful. Of course once again many people will blame the police and army for the violence which is probably no different to the UK. Fortunately we havn't got to the stage when the anti capitalist and anarchists have burnt Harrods down yet. Some people would continue to vote Labour even if their leader called them a Bigot behind their back. Many people in Thailand will always love Thaskin whatever crimes he was found guilty of.

UdonUK1 wrote:Since that time, workers' slaaries have dropped EVERY year, and the Fat Cats have been able to massively increase their own incomes. Maybe you are a fat cat ? I don't know, you certainly got the cream if you are

As mentioned above Thatcher believed very strongly in the freedom of the individual and the removal of the state from the market system. So her government started a series of massive privatisations in 1981 with British Telecom. Thatcher also saw this as a way of stopping the inevitable conflict of interests between owners and workers. Workers in the companies were offered cut - price shares to encourage them to own part of the business. This removed the need for trade unions (although most employees simply cashed in on their shares).