The 1970s started with the Conservative Party in power under Edward Heath. Decimal currency was introduced in 1971 and Britain joined the (now) European Union in 1973.
But above all it was a time of strikes. In 1972, 24 million working days were lost due to strikes. In January 1974 Heath was forced to ration electricity for businesses and factories to three days a week. It was a disaster. People had to shop by candlelight. Even then miners, rail and power unions, car workers and others went on strike for shorter hours and more pay.
