| Description | This file contains annotated copies of recorded interviews. Whilst originally marked '5 - 36', it does not contain a full sequence of transcripts and commences with Transcript 4. There is however a list of the complete transcript sequence [1 - 54] originally assembled for this production, which provides brief details of each person interviewed and subject covered.
Transcript 4 includes views on the morale, pay and conditions of health service workers, with an assessment of their political mood and attitudes to socialism.
Transcript 5 includes views on community spirit in Kingstanding, attitudes of pensioners to politics, the reality of being a NUPE union representative.
Transcript 11 includes the views of two former Nottinghamshire miners.
The first is a retired miner, who describes how he first became politically aware, and also his questioning of authority when conscripted into the Army. He refers to the Peoples Convention [a popular movement in support of Britain opening a second front to relieve Stalin] and how he was punished for being politically knowledgeable and challenging. He also observes the political affiliations of the Birmingham Mail & Gazette and the [Perry Barr] Clarion Post, and also his experiences of being stationed in Perry Barr and Great Barr. He discusses conscientious objectors and mentions local support for the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War [and the activities of the blockade runner 'Potato Jones']
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The second interview in Transcript 11 is with a miner who had been on strike during the 1984 miners' strike. He describes his return to work at Hucknall Colliery and the hostile reception received from non striking colleagues. The emergence of the Union of Democratic Mineworkers [UDM] and its local impact on the National Union of Miners [NUM} is also discussed. The personal and social impact.of privatisation of the mining industry is considered, and also the resultant job losses. This discussion and consideration of conditions within the mining industry and mining communities is continued on Transcript 12.
Transcript 18 contains a discussion of the relative pressures that have formed the attitudes of workers in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and South Africa.
Transcript 28 includes interviews of people attending a course at Birmingham Trade Union Studies Centre. Various views on working class identity are recorded, as is a selection of opinions about the Thatcher government.
Transcript 33 includes views of an unemployed Birmingham worker on topics such as working class attitudes to intellectuals, self betterment, class conflict, racism, Thatcherism and international affairs [Glasnost etc].
Transcript 34 records interviews undertaken in Barnsley. Discussions of socialism are included, together with observations of living & working conditions and the experience of unemployment in South Yorkshire. This is continued on Transcript 35, together with a view on working class identity. There is also a discussion about what constitutes left wing politics and current activities in the Labour Party, as well as an examination of relations between the National Coal Board [NCB] and NUM. The situation in Grimethorpe is discussed. The role of women in politics is also considered. Life in mining villages is discussed, including pressure towards political conformism to the prevailing mood in any given area. The experience of attending International Women's Day in London is described. Bias in the media and in consumer & shopping surveys is discussed.
Transcript 36 records interviews taken at the New Boot, a hostel for homeless people in Birmingham. The views and experiences of young people are recorded, including the effort of finding accommodation. Training and employment opportunities for young people are also considered. Racism, politics, friendship, religion and Thatcherism are discussed. |