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In from the cold? Ben Roberts and Conservative industrial relations reform

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  • John Kelly

Abstract

Over the course of his career Professor Ben Roberts became an increasingly vocal critic of the trade union movement and a firm advocate of the case for legal restrictions on their activities. The growing influence of neoliberal ideas inside the Conservative Party, driven by think tanks such as the Institute of Economic Affairs, could have provided him with the opportunity to exert some influence over industrial relations policymaking, after years of political isolation. In fact Ben Roberts remained on the margins of the policy networks that constructed the Thatcherite programme of industrial relations reform. His labour movement background and lack of involvement in think tank seminars and activities made it difficult for him to penetrate the tight and cohesive networks that were integral to Conservative policymaking. In any case his main focus was institution building in the academic world of industrial relations, rather than policymaking in the political world, and his legacy continues today in the British Journal of Industrial Relations and the International Labour and Employment Relations Association.

Suggested Citation

  • John Kelly, 2015. "In from the cold? Ben Roberts and Conservative industrial relations reform," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(2), pages 100-116, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:indrel:v:46:y:2015:i:2:p:100-116
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. William McCarthy, 1994. "The Involvement of Academics in British Industrial Relations," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 32(2), pages 201-217, June.
    2. Christopher Rowland, 1979. "Books on International Economic Affairs OIL, OIL MONEY AND OIL MONEY'S MONEY," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 2(1), pages 124-126, January.
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