Sandbrook programme captures key aspects of definitive decade

His book on which the BBC TV series is based, Seasons in the Sun: the Battle for Britain 1974-1979, paints a very vivid and accurate picture of the decade from all angles - social, political, environmental and technological.

Sandbrook looks in detail at the Wilson administration, the demise of Heath and the rise of Thatcher.

He also captures the industrial militancy of the period and the fight for women's rights and equal pay.

There are indeed entries for "orgies" and "piles" in the index relating to Tony Benn, but these are just two out of 59 references that cover his interest in a wide range of issues including nationalisation, the trade unions and workers' co-operatives.

The '70s was a very important decade, which saw the end of the post war consensus and the rise of Thatcherism.

It also saw the working class fighting back to defend and promote its interests.

As a result the programme The 70s is recommended viewing for all current labour movement leaders and activists because it shows that organised resistance can bring down governments and lead to social change.

John Pateman
Sleaford