True, but without those strikes, Thatcher might not have been elected in the first place
The media coverage of the strikes was more important than the strikes themselves. People's memories of the Winter of Discontent are like people's memories of the Blitz; they don't remember what actually happend, they remember what they were told (in later years) to remember.
It probably was me, though it's also a fairly common view. I'm also of the opinion that Labour could have won, or at least forced another draw, had the election been later in the year (this view isn't so common, but I think I'm right anyway). If only Roy Mason wasn't NI Secretary (or was that a wash? IIRC two UUP M.P's actually voted with the Government. EDIT: McCusker certainly did (not much of a surprise, that...) Anyone know if another did nor not?). Scratch that then. I'll blame it on the stupidity of the Liberal and SNP leaders instead. And the liquid diets of too many older Labour M.P's.
Of course Mr Callaghan had higher personal approval ratings than Mrs Thatcher going into an election IIRC.
Yep. Callaghan was very unusual; a
genuinely popular politician leading one of the big parties.
Thatcher didn't... exactly... provide much in the way of stability either...
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