Absolute mess? Half the years of the 70s saw the Tories in power. Heath got the 70s off to a rip-roaring first four years, eh, Billyboy? Three-day week, anyone? The unions "running the country" and "holding the country to ransom" were myths created by the right and the Tory press. Do I hear the deafening sound of silence about huge corporations, tax evaders and non-doms being treated ever so gently lest they withdraw their favours elsewhere, err, holding the country to ransom? Get real, Teribus. The working people of this country were being confronted by see-sawing interest rates and inflation through the 70s and all they had for bargaining chips was their labour, and they were using it. Thatcher and her puppy Blair put a stop to that, and the reward is under-employment, claimant harassment, zero-hour contracts, fake apprenticeships and no job security. A scenario that Maggie would have appreciated, eh?