In early 1974, Edward Heath’s Conservative government was locked in a struggle with the powerful coal miners’ union over “who rules Britain.” He called a premature election in February, in which there was no clear winner.
1974年初，爱德华·希思（Edward Heath）的保守党内阁跟势力很大的煤炭工会为了“谁统治英国”而缠斗不休。2月，他要求提前举行议会大选，选举结果却没有一个是赢家。希思的支持率落到谷底。反对党工党也乏善可陈，提不出足以代替保守党路线的纲领。它只想避免同工会发生正面冲突。