ABSTRACT
If the 1960s were an exciting period (whether in a positive or negative sense), the second half of the 1970s saw the United Kingdom spiralling into a state of gloom. Infl ation had begun to pose a problem at the beginning of the decade, leading to cuts in expenditure and efforts to impose wage controls, which in turn led to growing industrial relations diffi culties and strikes. The so-called ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland increasingly began to impact upon mainland Britain, partly as a result of the deaths of British soldiers and partly because of mainland bombings. The brief Yom Kippur War between Israel and Egypt in 1973, which humiliated Egypt, led to the Arab oil-producing countries striking back by using oil as a weapon. They cut production and increased prices. At the same time, the miners demanded a considerable pay increase which was, predictably, turned down and a national strike was called. The oil cuts or a coal strike might have been manageable on their own, but together they represented a considerable threat and near-panic resulted:
Plans were made for petrol rationing and coupons printed and distributed. The national speed limit was cut by 20 miles per hour to 50 miles per hour to save fuel. Then in January 1974 came the announcement of a three-day working week. Ministers solemnly urged citizens to share baths and brush their teeth in the bath. Television … was ended at 10.30 each evening.
