I’m the son of a miner who in 1972 took part in a won a strike. He died in 1973, but in spirit also won the 1974 strike.
As I write, MPs are in the chamber speaking about those days. What comes through and is strongly matched by my memories of the time, is the community was all in it together. We aren’t that now when out troops go to war.
A full inquiry must be held in to policing and the full armory of the state that was brought against the miners, especially in 1979. Years afterwards, bitterness is evident in the coalfield areas. It must be addressed.