The Miners Strike 1984-85

Question 1

What had the National Coal Board lost and why was this improtant ?

Answer 1

£250 million for 1983-84
- this meant the government had to take a hard line and refuse to support loss
- therefore a pit closure programme needed to be out in place, something that had been fatal to Heaths government

Question 2

When did the Strike begin ?

Answer 2

March 1984
- it was in response to 20 uneconomic pits being closed causing 20,000 unemployed

Question 3

What three preparations did Thatcher take before the strike action began ?

Answer 3

• 1981, Whitehall committee set up in secret to organise the stockpiling of coal to keep power stations running
• Central Electricity Generating Board built large stocks of coal and oil in power stations
• Home Secretary Leon Britian set up National Reporting Centre in New Scotland Yard when strikes began: ensured central control of policing co ordinating intelligence and movements of police to trouble spots

Question 4

When did the strike end ?

Answer 4

3 March 1984

Question 5

How did Arthur Scargill react to the National Coal Boards plan ?

Answer 5

He claimed that there was a plan to close 70 pits which was later proven to be true in only 2014 with the release of old cabinet papers

Question 6

When did the strike begin ?

Answer 6

Considered to have began on the 5 March 1984
The NUM declared a nation wide strike in on 12 March 1984 despite having not balloted or having held a national vote

Question 7

How was the strike action divided ?

Answer 7

It was divided geographically
- As Robert Gildea argues areas at risk of closure were more likely to strike in comparison to more profitable areas
- For example, the small Kent coalfield was destined for closure and South Wales and Scotland would loose 2/3 of their pits
- in comparison Nottinghamshire went relatively unscathed as they were deemed ‘more efficient’ which divided the miners: a direct goal of Thatcher

Question 8

What were the aims of the Nottinghamshire miners ?

Answer 8

• forced to focus on their area rather than solidarity
• more concerned with earning a living and future employment which all could have been lost if they supported strike action