ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on key concepts discussed in the preceding chapter of this book. The book British conservatism has historically found much about trade unionism to condemn or disapprove of, thereby providing ample scope for remedial or repressive legislation. Conservatives tended to view trade unionism with considerable anxiety, if not considerable and unconcealed hostility, not least because the trade unions collectivist ethos, often accompanied by a professed commitment to Socialism, clearly conflicted with the Conservatisms core tenets of individualism, competition, the market and, ultimately, Capitalism. Moreover, when faced with the perennial demands from the Conservative Right for either a Royal Commission on trade unions or legislation to curb strikes, Heaths response was to reiterate that most trade union leaders appreciated the need for great responsibility in industrial relations and moderation in collective bargaining, and therefore the TUC should be given a further chance to deal themselves with their undisciplined minority.
