The New Commanding Height: Labour Party Policy on North Sea Oil and Gas, 1964-74
Title:
The New Commanding Height: Labour Party Policy on North Sea Oil and Gas, 1964-74
Author:
Toye, R.
Appeared in:
Contemporary British history
Paging:
Volume 16 (2002) nr. 1 pages 89-118
Year:
2002
Contents:
This article examines the origins of the Labour Party's proposal, implemented by the 1974-79 Labour government, for 'majority public participation' in the development of North Sea oil and gas. It explores the activities of the party's North Sea study group in the late 1960s, and then looks at how party policy subsequently evolved in opposition, especially in reaction the 1973 fuel crisis. It is argued that the final policy, as enacted after 1974, had not been anticipated in detail by previous party discussions, yet the new government was constrained by the broad commitment to 'majority public participation', and had to come up with a detailed policy that at least appeared to conform with that promise; although the result was largely a facade.
Journal description