The Winter of Discontent 1978-79: myth and reality
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- Start Date: 08 Nov 2025End Date: 08 Nov 2025Sat (Daytime): 10:30 - 16:30In PersonFull fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
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What is the course about?
The course will explore the growth in trade union membership in Britain in the period up to 1979, government attempts to regulate trade unions between 1945 and 1978, changes in employment and the British economy, the Callaghan Government’s ‘Social Contract’ with the unions between 1975-78, the 1978 Ford Strike, the haulage strikes of January 1979 and the Public Sector strikes of January to March 1979. The course will examine the reporting and presentation of these strikes at the time, the role of women union activists and response of the Callaghan Government and Trade Union leaders. It will critically evaluate the consequences of the Winter of Discontent, the downfall of the Callaghan Government, and its subsequent and enduring legacy.
What will we cover?
Definition and outline of the ‘the Winter of Discontent’ 1978-79
The growth of the British trade union movement 1945-79
Government economic policy, employment and union regulation 1945-78
Economic and industrial development and change in Britain 1945-79
The events, reporting and presentation of the Winter of Discontent 1978-79
The weather and the Winter of Discontent
The consequences and significance of the Winter of Discontent.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Define and outline the ‘the Winter of Discontent’ 1978-79
Knowledge and understanding of the causes, events and consequences of the Winter of Discontent
Critically reflect on the reporting and presentation of the Winter of Discontent
Critically reflect on the impact and significance of the Winter of Discontent.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
An outline course; no previous knowledge required. An open mind and willingness to participate respectfully in class discussion and debate.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be delivered through a mixture of formal tutor input, examination of contemporary sources and discussion with student participation encouraged.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Pen and paper for any voluntary note taking. Below is an optional reading list:
J. Shepherd Crisis? What Crisis?: The Callaghan Government and the British ‘Winter of Discontent’
TM Lopez The Winter of Discontent: Myth, Memory, and History
R. Vinen Thatcher's Britain: The Politics and Social Upheaval of the Thatcher Era
J Black A History of Britain: 1945 to Brexit
KO Morgan Twentieth-Century Britain: A Very Short Introduction.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Revolution or counter-revolution: Thatcherism 1975-1990. Please see City Lit website.
David has over twenty years’ experience in secondary schools and higher education. He holds a degree in Economics and History and a MA in History from Oxford Brookes University and has been an active member of the Historical Association (HA) and was recently a member of the People of 1381 Teacher Fellowship programme. He has also presented at history education conferences in Europe and the USA. His specific area of teaching expertise is post-1945 British political, economic, and social history particularly the 1978-79 Winter of Discontent and the Thatcher governments 1979-1990 but he teaches beyond these topics: British history 1603-1997; Russian history 1881-1990; American history 1865-2008, particularly the struggle for black equality; the use of popular music in history learning; and medicine history, c.1300 to the present day; and migration c. 1700 to the present day. David spends his spare time tending an unruly allotment, purveying homemade jam, and listening to Northern Soul music.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.