Seasons in the Sun: The Battle for Britain, 1974 - 1979

A mix of high politics laced with popular culture and sociology

The 1960s was the decade in which the British public fell in love with the consumer society. It was also the decade of the liberation of the individual. Unfortunately, people paid for these “freedoms” in the 1970s. Drawing on a huge range of sources, Sandbrook weaves an effective tale. He contrasts the stories of three prime ministers'. All make doomed attempts to run the economy in partnership with the trade unions. And all sustained the UK economy by borrowing, not caring about the collapse of the manufacturing sector. They all gave into the demands of organised labour. In particular, Sandbrook identifies Wilson as the villain. And Tony Benn plays the pantomime clown. At the end of the decade it all led to the collapse of left-wing virtues such as collectivity and solidarity. The groundwork was thus laid for Thatcher. Who promised a narrow, consumerist ambition for a better life.

Sandbrook enhances his political narrative with the books, films and television of the period. All offer evidence of a deep malaise. A suspicion that we spent too much moral capital. That insurrection might lurk around the corner. Ultimately though, Seasons in the Sun is strong in narrative and anecdote, weak in depth and analysis. But saying this Sandbrook's prose carries the narrative along. The conclusion: he is right to argue that the 1970s was the most:
“decisive moment in our recent history.”