There should be no repeat of 1984-85

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the official end of the Miner's Strike which occurred in British pits between 1984 and 1985. It marked an important victory for our democracy over attempts by Arthur Scargill and his other lunatic friends in the NUM to override the decisions of our democratically elected government. Mr Scargill was not an individual who had the interests of his members at heart, he was simply interested in forwarding his political agenda and the livelihoods of his workers were a means to that end. Since Mrs Thatcher's victory over the NUM and the progressive Trade Union Legislation that was introduced under the Conservatives, we have had a relatively calm period in terms of industrial disputes in this country. But we should not get ourselves in to a mindset that thinks the days of unions attacking the government are over.

There have already been reports in the press that the Trade Unions are building a fighting fund so they can 'unleash hell' on a Conservative Government following the (still) likely outcome of the General Election. A Conservative Government would rightly cut public spending and insist upon restraint across the public sector in terms of wages and other perks. This is something that has been made quite clear to the British people: the Conservatives will cut faster and deeper than Labour and if the British people are sensible enough to accept that and put their faith in the Conservative Party then the unions should not seek to override the democratic wishes of the British people.

I am not suggesting that trade unions should not seek to strive towards better conditions for their members but they should not use their power to pursue political aims. In the 21st Century, it would be completely unacceptable for the trade unions to hold the government of this country to ransom as the NUM attempted to do in 1984.