Overview

In 1973 a group of North Wales building workers were arrested for picketing-related offences during the first and only national building workers strike in Britain the year before. It was a turning point for halting the growth of trade unionism in the building industry, from which it has never recovered. A Very British Conspiracy is the first book to tell the full story of how the state prosecuted these workers and the campaign that was established to overturn this miscarriage of justice. Turnbull uncovers government and police documents that show the careful planning of the prosecution of the 24 men. She forensically reveals how the state used the criminal justice system to secure convictions. It shows how, in the absence of hard evidence, the Police and prosecution went to extraordinary lengths to criminalise trade unionists. The premature death of the lead picket, Des Warren, was the catalyst for a group of North West trade unionists and several of the pickets to come together in 2006 to organise a campaign to achieve justice. In March 2021, the convictions were finally quashed by the Court of Appeal. The book describes how the pickets and their families felt after forty-eight 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.

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9781804290149

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Reviews

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 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 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 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 An essential, meticulously researched account of government, employer and media collusion to manufacture fictitious information to demonise striking workers. It exposes the harsh reality of a system prepared to criminalise trade unionists for standing up to vindictive and abusive employers. The courageous determination of the Shrewsbury 24 Campaign and the inspirational persistence of Eileen has overturned this gross miscarriage of justice leaving us in no doubt that, when we never give up, we win! -- Kate Flannery, Secretary, Orgreave Truth & Justice Campaign Eileen Turnbull is one of those extraordinary working-class heroes who should be honoured by their country but in our class-riven society rarely are. -- John Green * Morning Star *

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 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 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 An essential, meticulously researched account of government, employer and media collusion to manufacture fictitious information to demonise striking workers. It exposes the harsh reality of a system prepared to criminalise trade unionists for standing up to vindictive and abusive employers. The courageous determination of the Shrewsbury 24 Campaign and the inspirational persistence of Eileen has overturned this gross miscarriage of justice leaving us in no doubt that, when we never give up, we win! -- Kate Flannery, Secretary, Orgreave Truth & Justice Campaign Eileen Turnbull is one of those extraordinary working-class heroes who should be honoured by their country but in our class-riven society rarely are. -- John Green * Morning Star * For the first time, Eileen reveals why the building strike was always personal to her - and why she dedicated years of her life to winning justice. -- Ros Wynne Jones * Daily Mirror * A history lesson with a real resonance for today. -- Keith Richmond * ASLEF Journal * Turnbull leaves no stone unturned ... Her tenacity and unwavering belief in workers' rights leads the way and would be a thought-provoking read for many ... An inspiring and dedicated piece of work -- Sian Collinson * National Education Union Magazine *

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

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 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

Author Information

Eileen Turnbull is the Researcher and Secretary for the Shrewsbury 24 Campaign, which brought about the successful quashing of the pickets’ convictions in 2021.

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