SYP & Miners Strike

41 years since the start of the strike. I wonder if they’re hoping most of those involved will have died off to avoid culpability?

 

It probably should have, that was Scargill's biggest mistake and played straight into Thatcher's hands by dividing the NUM before the strike had even started. We can't know if a national ballot would have succeeded but if it had there would have been unity, even here in South Derbyshire. His second mistake was to start the strike in the spring, I've never got my head round that.

In truth, the strike should never have been necessary, agreements could have been reached for closing the pits with government investment in local communities to replace the jobs. The problem is that Thatcher didn't want that, she wanted revenge.

 

Excellent post but I would argue that a successful national ballot would have changed things. There would have been no need for the mass picketing of midlands pits by Yorkshire miners and the chaos on the roads - scenes of which were gleefully picked up by the television cameras and Tory newspapers. Sure there would still have been picketing at Orgreave etc but there would have been more support for the cause amongst the general public and that might have given Thatcher pause for thought.

 

The actual right to buy wasn't the problem, the problem was the ban on councils using the money to build more council houses.

 

The problem today is some areas are still living in the past and it's obvious they are getting left behind. Companies take one look and say no we will look elsewhere. Hatfield colliery in Doncaster is one of those areas.

 

A former colleague was in SYP at the time, and apparently the Met left the big police station in Sheffield (Snig Hill at the time?) with the break room TV in the back of the van. SYP had to send cars on blue lights to stop them on the Parkway before they got to the M1...

 

And there lies the issue. You assume a successful national ballot to strike could have ensued. Imo, not a prayer as pointed out by those Notts miners that struck. Should we have let those not threatened with their pits under threat, dictate how we wanted to protect our livelihoods. I'm alright Jack attitude and the Notts area had precedent.

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The Nottinghamshire miners largely did not participate in the 1926 General Strike, instead choosing to continue working, which created a significant division within the wider miners' movement and was seen as a betrayal by many striking miners across the country; this was partly due to the belief that their local pits were more efficient and not under immediate threat of closure, leading to accusations of "scabbing" against them.

The Nottingham delegates in the NUM voted unanimously to support the strike and advised their members of the consequences of not. We might have had an industry left.
The UDM instigators/delegates (sorry Thatchers invited to tea puppets) gave the government the ammo they needed. And should rot in hell. Take a look at some of their delegates. Con men.

 

I'm completely aware of the history with the Notts/Derbyshire miners, I live in Swadlincote. At the time I knew a local NUM shop steward and he was convinced that if his pit had been balloted, it would have voted in favour. As it turned out, it closed in 1988 despite being one of the most advanced pits in terms of technology. I worked at the Bretby Mining Research and Development Establishment and I know that the pit was used as a proving centre for many projects. If any pit was going to survive, it was Cadley Hill.

Back to the ballot question, the truth is we will never know, you may be right.

The other question I have always wondered about was the timing, to start a strike in spring seems to me to be utter madness.

 

I am sure the strike started in the spring due to the imminent threat of closing Cortonwood. Apologies if mistaken with timings.

 

Could've been part of the government strategy, they announced early March that 20 pits were going to close (with 5 pits quickly closing in the next 5 weeks) with the loss of 20000 jobs so i'm guessing that threw the unions into action.

 

True.

 

With respect Brush. You will always find some saying they would have voted in favour. to a steward who believed em in good faith.
Given the fact i was a shop steward most of my working life. One thing I do know is. You cannot always trust what lots of people say to your face. (To my cost) as It is not the way they vote on a ballot sheet. Surveys point to that.
I'd rather have the truth. even if it doesn't fit in with my principles. As I know where we stand. Than a colleague who is a liar.
The Shirebrook programme. Made a good case of that.
I also worked alongside a few ex Derbyshire miners at YW. And they in the main were not only staunch supporters of the strike but activists. And took part.

Wombwell makes the point well on the timing. Which was the widespread opinion. And cortonwood was the catalyst.