role of the police during the miners' strike, the bourgeois media howled that Labour had become a party of violence and disorder. The truth is the opposite.
At the beginning of the strike SUSAN MILLER and MARTIN WALKER went to the heart of the Yorkshire coal field to find out for themselves what was going Their report makes fascinating Ulk. reading.
Susan, who works for Islington police committee support unit, and Martin, who works for Greenwich, have teased out what is really going on: the development of a national, riot-control police force modelled on European lines. They told CAROL TURNER where their conclusions lead and how the labour movement should respond.
What's your involvement finally the trial Sysicill in the miners' strike, worked In conjunction did wrile youl with a set of rules which were legally binding.
But if the police are not Sue: We thought there arresting beoole under was something significant those rules, all that about the way the ponce changes The whole struc were handling this dispute, ture of the law has changand that reflected changes ed It is being usea as a taking place in the police weapon against years.
we wanted TING OuL Tor going that can aftercentres to miners' houses slaitments what had several Our DOOKS Martin:
La striksuch as process ed, It's role dings?
of the Il'S not the police Association force, the law itself is Police working changing.
Sue: The Police (NRC) welc example.
But crime. it's about this is public policing: police search like the activity, police.
SLUD them ANN JONES is miner's wife South Wales, and SUE BENCE comes Kent. They talked to us We've had two and I Once was for carrying oTtensive weapon. know In Talbot the Greenham came have ever in life.
MA V down gates thought I was terrible.
The NUM to organisation in South beginning, At beginning do has through the NUM. face cops only weapon you've got if you reus against as roo policeman until we've won this strike, they'll hear it. Every day if need be.
cent the sake We first on the My in aw arrested. she asked highway But time I was lobby of day.
He asked miners when I said my .way by police 'It's she's not in there, because down It was my son pleading stopped But WC haven't had Aylesham miner.
But the person picket, for work.
The been gate get at When you go into the mining communities. see the strength of feeling the way they're fighting back - and you have no reason to be depressed It's important to say: the miners are not going under, they're very strong in their struggle. a state now as a 6 • State Green wich NALGO, Staff Side Office, Borough Treas urer's Department, Wellington St, SE18; and from Housmans and other left bookshops. It combines all three volumes of research, two of which (State of Sece and he iron hist have previously been published as seperate pam phlets. Cheques and posta orders should be payable to Susan Miller or