I dont see how anybody in working-class communities could ever think that Thatcher is a decent, compassionate individual with community at the heart of her ideas. For me, she's ruined society and the effects of her monetarism and neo-liberal economics are now truly coming home to roost. She was a nasty, evil, uncaring person wedded to nasty, cruel economic policies that ruined lives. Scargill made tactical errors with the strike I think and he was inflexible (like Thatcher) but that's about it. I'd rather have Scargill round for a cuppa than Thatcher.
I didn't like Arthur but I hated Thatcher. Arthur was tactically naive, it was completely the wrong time of year to start a strike and he should have had a national ballot which would have avoided the split with Notts/Derbyshire.
In 1984 during the miners strike, my sister's car broke down in the middle of nowhere on her way to work at a pub. Scargill who was passing by, pulled up in his Jag and gave her and her mate a lift home to our house. Thatcher offered no help, the horrible witch.
He didn’t start the strike, Also when Yorkshire coalfield walked out following the CortonWood closure announcement, Scargill advised to them to go back and ‘hold their horses’ According to our branch delegate anyway. Lest we Forget, some of the govt. actions were unprecedented during the strike.
I didn't know that mate. Some of the government's actions were despicable in the extreme, not to mention the police.
Hated school milk so that was a positive to me as a kid. Still was forced to drink it at infants though with all the bird poo on the foil tops! Shudder thinking about it!
Hardly surprisingly mate, not many knew it including miners. Of course when Yorkshire ignored his advice and ‘stayed out’ he was fully behind them.
Plus the army ,with no numbers on their uniforms. They were instructed to not arrest anyone too. When Tony Ben Questioned Thatcher on this ,it was denied. There should be a public inquiry to the actions the police took. Pickets lives matter too. We took a he'll of a beating at Orgreave. It makes me upset and angry thinking about it. Good honest working blokes beat to a pulp. Then called out as the enemy within.
I think your tactically naive in your assessment of what went on to initiate the strike, obviously you never worked down pit at time.
With you on this Bazza. It makes me angry that many of those not involved were fed the media hype. And point the finger at Scargill. (National president not Yorks) The Yorkshire coalfield balloted months b4. started the strike based on closing pits for economical reasons. All the area delegates supported the action taken. Including Notts. Thatcher scuppered deals/breakthroughs on advice from her advisors. Even though she brought in MacGregor to negotiate after he'd dealt with the steelworkers. Initial Agreement (and retraction): During the strike, MacGregor reportedly conceded to Scargill's demands, but then stalled, ultimately leading to the agreement falling through. Subsequent Attempt: Another meeting between MacGregor and Scargill sounded promising at first, but some miners at Shirebrook pit returned to work, undermining the progress. Secret invitations to tea with those scabby ******* leaders of the breakaway udm. Who she collaborated with. Look what good that did em. lovely people. I have nothing but the utmost admiration of the Striking miners of Notts, Derbyshire and other coalfields. And find it difficult to use the term scabs as a generalisation. I hate what she stood for and those who supported her party. The lady is not for turning. And look what happened. Destroyed industry. Privatised public utilities. We are now paying for those services with a worse service. And now having to pay to put right what they put wrong. Milking it along the way.