Labour: come clean on the miners | Socialist Action 1983

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We are in the midst of a struggle for the labour movement's abilities to fight for itself. Ever since 1979, Thatcher and her government have been trying to divide destroy then to that we built.

The list of oppressive and divisive measures are Lauc laws, health service cuts, trols, bans on membership GCHQ, imprisonment of Sarah Tisdall and eviction at Greenham.

And at the back of all this, sapping the morale and strength of the workme Cass. Is al cCorone policy that deliberately creates a dole queue of (officially) over three millon, as a walling le LIC ONL It is obvious that since she came to power, Thatcher has wanted to divide trade unions and then destroy them. In the case or une coal maustry, it is the most clear. That the NUM is powerful, we would all agree, that coal we would also agree. It is precisely because of this that the government is nuclear energy at the expense of coal and now using the brutal tactics that they are against the striking miners.

The issue is really very clear; whole areas of Kent, two of the three MisGregor's plan and in would close under most areas there would be equal greater devastation. It surely is the job of the Labour to support the NUM at this time, and to recognise that this dispute can only be won by solidarity action at all levels.

So far there has been insufficient support national level for the action consequently. the media, who uniformly hostile, have been able to dictate the terms of the dispute. 'dispute a has been the Deel series of public school chants from the lories La refusal of the frontbench to LaDOul face to the issue. When a debate was finally nela li was on ine terms of the policing methods in the dispute and the effects on civil senses. Vital as this aspect is, the party has stil not come clean on the need for outright support for the industry.

The Campaign Group has consistently supported the miners visited the picket alle lines; we have also levied members purchase food and kitchen supplies for the pickets and have made a number of statements of support.

the collections and the political have been SIDDON valuable. The delegation to Kent two weeks ago was well received and ought to be reciprocated, so that the mining com munities would be welcomed in London.