Social and economic change in the south east Northumberland coalfield from the early 18th century

Abstract

The subject of this thesis is social and economic change in the south-east Northumberland coalfield. A historical perspective is taken and class formation is examined from the early 18th century. During this early period the working class develops separately but under the rule of capital. Despite resistance the working class is contained and absorbed into the institutions of capital. In the inter-war period capital pursues a policy of reaction before elaborating new policies and setting up regional development organisations incorporating significant trade unionists and labour party members. While Nationalization was at first resisted the eventual' Nationalization of coal provided a way of restructuring the coal industry in the interests of capital in general. In the immediate post second world war years the policy of the N.C.B., underlined in various planning documents, was to retain labour in the coalfields. However, the modernisation of the pits led to local job losses resulting in the development of Cramlington New Town in order to diversity the areas economy. I therefore evaluate the New Town's objectives and conclude that they have been met to only a limited extent. The town relying upon branch plants to sustain its manufacturing base. An analysis of the New Town in the 1980's showing a polarisation between central workers and a reserve surplus with both populations located in separate localities. The contraction of the economic base in Blyth Valley differentially effecting these core and peripheral workers. Lastly, the development of Cramlington can also be seen, as class restructuring and I then go to the consider the relationship between housing, class and party vote.