A Very British Conspiracy

Description

The story of the campaign for justice for the 24 building workers wrongly prosecuted by the state in the 1970sWhen a group of North Wales building workers were put on trial for picketing-related offences during the first and only national building workers strike in Britain, it not only had a profound and lifelong impact upon them and their families. It also was a turning point for halting the growth of trade unionism in the building industry, from which it has never recovered.
Using newly available material that Eileen Turnbull discovered in various archives whilst searching for the fresh evidence that would get the pickets convictions referred to the Court of Appeal, A British Conspiracy uncovers government and police documents that show the careful planning of the prosecution of the North Wales building workers. It brings into focus the secrecy surrounding the actions of the police and the government in the five months between the end of the strike in September 1972 and the arrest of the pickets on the 14 February 1973. It shows how the state used the criminal justice system to halt effective picketing by workers during industrial disputes. It reveals that common law offences were carefully selected to overcome the prosecutions’ problems of a lack of hard evidence.
The premature death of one of the convicted pickets was a catalyst for a group of trade unionists in the North West to come together in 2006 to organise a campaign. In February 2021, their appeal against the convictions was finally successful. The book describes, through their own words, how the pickets and their families felt after forty-seven years being ostracised and considered as criminals in their communities, as well as the response of the six core Campaign Committee members who had brought this historic victory about. “What a fantastically forensic account of one of the worst miscarriages of justice in our long trade union history. I want Eileen on my side on every occasion; her grit, tenacity, dedication and commitment for justice for the Shrewsbury pickets is phenomenal. She truly is an inspiration to all workers. Her message is simple: never, ever give in; never, ever give up. Fight on and meet the many challenges; tell truth to power.”
—Ian Lavery, MP “This is the moving and inspiring story of the determined search for justice for the modern day equivalent of the Tolpuddle martyrs against the full might of the establishment and the heroic role played by a very special woman.”
—John McDonnell, MP “Incisive, compelling and moving. Exposes in forensic detail how the Conservative government, police and judiciary interfered in legitimate trade union activity, colluding against building workers fighting for dignity, decency and safety. And charts how a 47-year struggle for the truth overturned one of the worst miscarriages of justice in British history. A magnificent book about working-class solidarity. “
—Frances O’Grady, General Secretary, Trades Union Congress“Highly recommended. Eileen Turnbull’s account of the massive and meticulous conspiracy waged against the Shrewsbury Pickets is full of illuminating insights, wonderful anecdotes and stories. She exposes the British Establishment and reinforces my belief in the courage, tenacity and resilience of working class women and men.”
—Jim Mowatt, Director, UNITE the union “This powerful story tells of the incredible courage of Eileen and the many others who fought a long battle for justice against unimaginably powerful forces. With attacks on trade unions intensifying, this book serves as a timely reminder of the importance of the labour movement and the workers it represents.”
—Mark Serwotka, General Secretary of PCS union Eileen Turnbull is the Researcher and Secretary for the Shrewsbury 24 Campaign and completed her PhD on the case. GB

Additional information