The first issue of News for Trade Unionists held in the Conservative Party Archive dates from March 1980, but there is no indication as to when it was first published. It was published bi-monthly, by the Trade Union Department within Conservative Central Office, in a 4-page tabloid format. The format changed to 8-page A4, and quarterly, from Feb 1985: 'This is the first issue of the new look News for Trade Unionists. We hope you will like the change of style.'