Inevitably, given the nature of the forces in volved, agreement on the fundamental framework of economic been reached between the SDP's theorists Thatcherites. This agreement is recognised in the rash of glowing editorials praising Owen and the SDP merely for their opposition to the miners strike but uneT overall economic policy stand.
The framework which is agreed is precisely that week as his 'social market' policy. Under this all of the fundamental structural shifts introduced into the economy by Thatcher will be retained — in particular none of the sectors denationalised wil be renationalised. The restrictive laws against the trade unions will be retained gradually strengthened still further Within that framework of course vanous amierences of emphasis and policy are regarded as legitimate Europe The SDP and Tories, as ruling parties, therefore have not merely a short term agreement on unions. They have agreed overall economic framework.
Within that basic framework the differences which exist between SDP and Thatcher