Thats just how I remember it, the deps did vote to to back the num then they didn't due to some sort of agreement, and I read, later, that this gave thatch the momentum she needed to carry on.
Just on the McGregor issue , it was the other way round , in talks with the NUM he announced there had been a breakthrough and the strike could be resolved , next day he backtracked and refused further talks . Transpired that Thatcher thought (probably advised by her right wing ) the miners could be driven into the ground and apparently told McGregor to scrap the deal . Think McGregor is on record saying he wanted to negotiate with thr Unions not drive them into the ground as others (Thatcher’s Government ) wanted .
The deputies were assured that no forced pit closures without the unions consent woukd happen , However they would not give the NUM the same assurances which tells you all you need to know about the deal which didn’t save a single pit . The rank and file criticised the Union Officials saying they’d handed them the biggest mandate in the unions history and they betrayed them , McNestry and co took early retirement soo after the strike ended .
Right, I stand corrected, It's something I read a couple of years ago that thatch was 48hrs away from collapsing and the deps turn around gave her the momentum she needed.
Tbh I think if Maggie had backed down the party would have got rid of her as she’d gambled so much on winning so not much chance of that imo ,
Yep, you're probably right, there's so much that's been written over the years, from all sides, that it's hard to make hard decisions on what actually happened and when. At the end of the day the bar stewards closed em all down, decimating whole communities, a lot have still not recovered. Always remember, never forgive.
I have 4 sons and tbf I am so glad there not having to work in that environment. However I am sure they would have loved the crack we had. I can't remember ever not laughing . Some good lads ,and most of em passed. Many fond memories.
