THE CAMPAIGN president of the National Union of Mineworkers is well underway and already going strong. A Mail on Sunday poll, published on 6 December, predicted he would win a two-thirds majority over his right wing opponent John Walsh, also from Yorkshire. Walsh is trailing in virtually every NUM area.
When Walsh ran against dent in 1981 he received only 27 per cent of the vote. bet more of 19.4, the beginning Walsh stood against Peter Heathfield general secretary of the national union and lost by only two Report compiled by Dick Withecombe and Carol Turner Much, of course, can change in the remaimme period of the presidential Undoubtedly, ala. the media will step up its "bogeyman' campaign againt the support he has But the support ly 'moderate' areas such as Lancashire North Wales reflects the fear that many feel about te prospects superpits about of the inearly in December, the situation in the areas is as follows:
TO DATE John Walsh has only received nominations COSA Leicester NUM. . However sil has been won So been won some surprising places. to reelect Arthur Scargill as At the Point of Ayr colliery, the only one remainNUM branch has North Wales, the nominated Arthur Scargill. It is now fairly sure that the Lancashire will nominate Scargill at lts delegate meeting on 12 vecember shire branches which have nominated him so far Bickershaw, Parkside, Golborne, Sutton Manor • account for 49 out of the 75 area delegates.
In Scotland the two branshes which have nominated to date, Monktonhall Billston Glen have DOLI backed Scargill against the advice of their arca executive The campaign reelect Scargill in Scotland headed up 'by Mick McGahey's son. Eric Clarke, NUM secretary and Labour NEC member who was defeated electhon earlier this year bay the vice presidential Thompson, by the" Morning McGahey's son rumoured that the well of the South NUM. branches publicly declared position, but the special Traditionally collieries like SOT, and even be Scargill.
executive after antiAgainst Pit Closures have decided to support Arthur Scargill's Canucatule They will be helping organise one of the three January meetings in support Scargill's campaign which will Lake Diact in Swansea, the Gwent area and Abercynon.
There is a lot of optimism that Arthur Scargill will win a clear majority in the South Wales coalfield for his reelection as NUM president.
Northumberland, which has traditionally supported the • NUM leaderstrong support for Scargill.
Six out seven Durham Mechanics branches that have far nominated, have backed Scargill. Only one Durham NUM branch, , Hetherington, has failed to nominate him.
Seven out of the eight branches in North Derbyshire's coalfield have backed Scargill.
Laurence Knight, leader of the Kent area, has also Scargill's paign. The 326 sacked and victimised miners and ther taare facing their fourth Christmas without a •3er Our photo shows Christmas during the miners fo se Ine tamilies and the communtiv banded tocc na. -emake sure the meagre resources went a = : a But this Christmas will be ditterent for nose are still locked out as a result o* = ****:
ihat is whv the National Justice f-- " ~aarrE Campaign has lauched its C--5:-3s 1ta The NUM aims to raise enough more?
ACTION SOCiAList
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Don't leave them out in the cold!
Sacked miners Christmas appeal