Thatcher on 19 july 1984 delivered a speech in which she spoke to backbench mps and compared the. Steve richards talks to tony benn, david owen and roy hattersley 4th march 2007 12 duration. Brexit means we can reopen mines and cotton mills scargill. Feb 27, 2009 arthur scargill make the closing contribution to the socialist labour party congress in blackpool, november 2008. Scargills claims were ridiculed in the press and the media and coal board chairman ian macgregor even sent out a letter in june 1984 to every miners home stating.
It was may 1984 and the height of the historic miners strike. After a labour party conference speech on energy policy by richard marsh in july 1967, scargill said. Join facebook to connect with arthur scargill and others you may know. But you dont need this blog theres a way better way to do this in my latest entryread more. You only had to close your eyes and it was 1984 all over again. Updated 02012017 buffered, sdcached highquality humanlike speech working alongside sound effects for your iot project. Aug 31, 2017 ex miners leader arthur scargill loses fight with union over bill for home security former miners leader arthur scargill has been ordered to pay for his own home security after trying to. The failure of the miners strike in 1984 has been seen by many as the result of bad leadership of the head of the num, arthur scargill, the lack of support for the strike as well as giving credit to the governments preparations. Anne scargill, exwife of arthur scargill, who led the miners during the 198485 strike, says she was really happy to hear of margaret thatchers death 1. The miners dispute began on 6 march after the head of the national coal board, ian mcgregor, announced plans to cut production, the equivalent of 20 pits or 20,000 jobs.
Yorkshire, the heartland of king arthurs powerbase. Exminers leader arthur scargill loses fight with union. Arthur scargill make the closing contribution to the socialist labour party congress in blackpool, november 2008. It was led by arthur scargill of the national union of mineworkers num against the national coal board ncb, a government agency. Brilliant insight team work make this a easy read about social history, union power, political strategy and will. He was president of the national union of mineworkers from 1982 to 2002. May 30, 2018 arthur scargill joined the national union of mineworkers at the age of 19 in 1957 and went on to be the head of the organisation from 1982. Arthur scargill compares theresa mays brexit betrayal. Anne scargill, exwife of arthur scargill, who led the miners during the 1984 85 strike, says she was really happy to hear of margaret thatchers death 1. But the nums historic battle did not begin in march 1984, as so many.
Arthur scargill born 11 january 1938 is a british trade unionist. The house in which he was born and in which he lived for his first. A speech by arthur scargill to the 1983 tuc is reprinted below from the yorkshire miner. These are the facts, none of which are reported in this socalled comprehensive and definitive book on the strike. Scargill is perhaps best known for his conflict with prime minister margaret thatcher during the 198485 miners strike, which turned into a major confrontation with thatcher and her conservative government.
Below is the text of the speech made by arthur scargill, the then general secretary of the national union of mineworkers, to the 1984 num conference. Arthur scargill branded a hypocrite after trying to get. The sun has decided, reluctantly, to print the paper without either. Thatcher, scargill and the miners hardcover 5 sep 1985. During the summer 5,000 pickets led by arthur scargill had surrounded orgreave coking plant, near rotherham in south yorkshire with the aim of stopping lorries carrying out the fuel for distribution. Friday 3rd january saw the release of previously secret cabinet documents from the tory government relating to the great miners strike of 1984 85. In a book published by the national coal mining museum for england, david john douglass writes that scargills responsibility for the 19845 strike is often exaggerated. Scargill is perhaps best known for his conflict with prime minister margaret thatcher during the 1984 85 miners strike, which turned into a major confrontation with thatcher and her conservative government.
Former miners union leader arthur scargill defends boris johnson. Arthur scargill 1984 num conference speech december 1, 2015 admin 1984, arthur scargill, speeches. Cowan v scargill high court april 1984 this case is an important pensions case. From a series of news clips from the 1980s used in a retrospective compilation at the end of the decade. Arthur scargill born 11 january 1938 1 is a british politician and trade unionist who was president of the national union of mineworkers num from 1982 to 2002, leading the union through the 1984 85 miners strike, a key event in british labour and political history. It pitted national union of mineworkers leader arthur scargill, a marxist commited singlemindedly to the welfare of his unions members, against prime minister margaret thatcher. The british coal miners strike of 198485 was the most significant labor battle in that countrys past half century. We can all make speeches, but at the end of the day we have got to stand up. In a book published by the national coal mining museum for england, david john douglass writes that scargills responsibility for the 198485 strike is often exaggerated. Release of mts private files for 1984 1 the coal strike. Arthur scargill wikipedias arthur scargill as translated. Thousands of pickets surrounded orgreave coking plant.
On the 25th anniversary, arthur scargill gives his account of the miners strike. On 12th march 1984, arthur scargill, president of the national union of mineworkers num, called a national strike against the pit closures. They publicly shamed him by running across the splash. Raspberry pi or similar with audio out, nodered and a little of your time.
Arthur scargill born 11 january 1938 1 is a british politician and trade unionist who was president of the national union of mineworkers num from 1982 to 2002, leading the union through the 198485 miners strike, a key event in british labour and political history. Dec 01, 2015 below is the text of the speech made by arthur scargill, the then general secretary of the national union of mineworkers, to the 1985 num conference. For the year of the strike, scargills was a voice that you used to hear three or four times a day, every day. Thatcher, scargill and the miners paperback 1 sept. Speech by num leader, arthur scargill, during the miners strike in 1984. Members of all the sun production chapels refused to handle the arthur scargill picture and major headline on our lead story. Arthur scargill was the militant, controversial president of the british national union of mineworkers who led the longest and most violent miners strike in british history arthur scargill, the son and grandson of coal miners, was born in worsborough, south yorkshire, in 1938. Arthur scargill biography, birth date, birth place and. Num president arthur scargill with general secretary peter heathfield at a silver jubilee rally in barnsley on saturday proud to follow arthur exminer john church champions the former president of the num and takes issue with francis beckett and david henckes history of the 1984 strike. Former miners leader arthur scargill claims brexit is a chance to rebuild the country and reopen coal mines and cotton mills speaking at an event for his socialist labour party in cardiff.
A decade later, he led the union through the 198485 miners strike, a major event. Whether this decision was tactically sound is another issue, but it was not arthur scargills decision to make. Arthur scargill was born in worsbrough, yorkshire in january 1938. Scargill vetoes national ballot on strike miners leader arthur scargill has ruled out a national ballot of miners on whether to continue their fiveweek strike. Mr scargill, 72, first came to prominence in the early 1970s, when he was involved in a mass picket at the saltley. Brexiteer arthur scargill, 81, the militant former leader of the national union of miners, has criticised opposition parties that called for boris johnsons resignation. Arthur scargill biography, birth date, birth place and pictures. Below is the text of the speech made by arthur scargill, the then general secretary of the national union of mineworkers, to the 1984 num. Did the queen criticise arthur scargill and the miners strike. Conference meets this year following the longest, most bitter and possibly most savage national strike ever.
There is a prevailing view that arthur scargill, the num national president, called the strike. His aggressive, fingerpointing style of speechmaking as he climbed on to the roof of. Scargills driver asked whether i would give his boss a lift. Nevertheless, mr scargill knew precisely what he was doing in his speeches.
The miners strike of 198485 was a major industrial action to shut down the british coal industry in an attempt to prevent colliery closures. Tony benn, speech in the house of commons 21 october 1992 after the government announced pit closures oh i detest him. Aug 25, 2010 arthur scargill loses num voting rights. To hear that distinctive barnsley accent again was like hearing a song from your adolescence. Below is the text of the speech made by arthur scargill, the then general secretary of the national union of mineworkers, to the 1985 num conference. Did the queen criticise arthur scargill and the miners.
The decision to strike was technically illegal, as there had been no national ballot of num members, even though the nottinghamshire and midlands coalfields for example, had called for a national ballot. His father was a communist, his mother was deeply religious. Arthur scargill 1984 num conference speech below is the text of the speech made by arthur scargill, the then general secretary of the national union of mineworkers, to the 1984 num conference. Arthur scargill compares theresa mays brexit betrayal to. A former labour party member, he is now the leader of the socialist labour party slp, which he. Arthur scargill, the son and grandson of coal miners, was born in worsborough, south yorkshire, in 1938. Release of mts private files for 1984 1 the coal strike the year following her triumphant reelection in june 1983, mt and her government faced what they had long feared, but hoped to avoid allout conflict with arthur scargills miners. Exclusive contact details, as well as other important information, is now in the public domain and you can access this information now. Joining the num at the age of nineteen in 1957, he became one of its leading activists in the late 1960s. Sep 27, 2017 arthur scargill has compared theresa mays commitment to stay in the eu until 2021 to neville chamberlains appeasement of hitler. Conference meets this year following the longest, most bitter and possibly most savage national strike ever seen anywhere in the world. Sitter in 5 portraits born in leeds, scargill was a lifelong member of the yorkshire mining community, becoming president of the national union of mineworkers in 1982, and a member of the general council of the trades union congress. Arthur scargill has been rehabilitated more quickly than any man i have known.
Aug 27, 20 steve richards talks to tony benn, david owen and roy hattersley 4th march 2007 12 duration. The rise and fall of arthur scargill he rose to be the leader of a powerful political movement, but once defeated in 1984 arthur scargills professional and personal life deteriorated. His yearlong standoff with margaret thatcher in the 1984 miners strike was one of the defining events of the era. The former union boss, who led the 1984 miners strike, accused. Assess the view that the main reason for the failure of the miners strike in 1984 was the leadership of arthur scargill. Arthur scargill was the militant, controversial president of the british national union of mineworkers who led the longest and most violent miners strike in british history.
Release of mts private files for 1984 1 the coal strike the year following her triumphant reelection in june 1983, mt and her government faced what they had long feared, but hoped to avoid allout conflict with arthur scargill s miners. It concerned a dispute over the investment of the assets of the mineworkers pension scheme the scheme. Exminers leader arthur scargill loses fight with union over. Jan 15, 2014 the rise and fall of arthur scargill he rose to be the leader of a powerful political movement, but once defeated in 1984 arthur scargill s professional and personal life deteriorated. It was led by arthur scargill of the national union of mineworkers num.
Scargill was in the chair and so did not speak for or against and of course did not vote. Arthur scargill uses righttobuy law to snap up his own. Aug 25, 2010 image caption arthur scargill was a working class hero to some miners in 1984. Scargill vetoes national ballot on strike bbc news. Dec 01, 2015 arthur scargill 1984 num conference speech december 1, 2015 admin 1984, arthur scargill, speeches below is the text of the speech made by arthur scargill, the then general secretary of the national union of mineworkers, to the 1984 num conference.
I was mesmerised by margaret thatchers cunning in taking on union might in the the selection of who to fight, how to prepare for battle, how to fight, where to fight etc. Impact of arthur scargill on the failure of the miners strike. The house in which he was born and in which he lived for his first three years had neither plumbing. Former miners union leader arthur scargill defends boris. Arthur scargill historical records and family trees. Margaret thatcher died aged 87, itn takes a detailed look at her biggest battle with arthur scargill and the national union of miners. A look at the life and career of arthur scargill, a former union leader who became.
Fellow members, this presidential address has been completed within the last 24 hours, and. Arthur scargills agent, as well as publishers, record companies and other contact information for other notable luminaries. In a book published by the national coal mining museum for england, david john douglass writes that scargills responsibility for the 1984 85 strike is often exaggerated. Image caption arthur scargill was a working class hero to some miners in 1984. First read this book in the mid 80s when i lived in s. Scargill gave a speech about me to annual trades union congress. Arthur passed away in month 1998, at age 86 at death place. The bbc news website stated newly released cabinet papers from 1984 reveal mineworkers union leader arthur scargill may have been right to claim there was a secret hitlist of more than 70 pits marked for closure. Arthur scargill joined the national union of mineworkers at the age of 19 in 1957 and went on to be the head of the organisation from 1982.
208 1479 1016 347 1153 676 1102 512 1251 437 844 377 415 294 580 1495 787 866 1424 1268 1499 1159 275 898 176 161 608 1038 1405 915 900 1313 281 430 70 373 623 685 171 1036 899 581 1276 1298