Economics and Labour Law in Britain: Thatcher's Radical Experiment

Professor Ewing looks at the contribution of law to economic policy. In particular, the role of labour law in the great "radical economic experiment" which has been conducted in Britain since 1979, following the first of Prime Minister Thatcher’s three general election victories is considered. First, Professor Ewing outlines the political, legal and economic conditions inherited by Prime Minister Thatcher in 1979; next, the wide-ranging labour law reforms pursued since 1979 are examined; finally, the imply- cations and consequences of these developments are assessed.