In 1984, British coal miners started taking action against the coal industry. More and more coal mines were going to be closed, and the miners risked losing their entire income. Margaret Thatcher, the prime minister at the time, wanted to cut down the inefficient coal industry by lowering the workforce that was employed in it. The workers had the support of about half of the NUM (National Union of Mineworkers), which Margaret Thatcher alledgedly called ’the evil within’. What were the effects of the conflict, and how did it occur?
- What was Thatcher’s motivation behind closing the pits?
- Why did some part of the miner’s union not support the rest?
- What were the roles of women and minorities like LGBTQ members during the strikes?