"But at the root of these problems, be they a strike or an armed conflict, there is a cause. And the cause of both of these problems, IMO, and broadly stated, is the actions of the British government to protect the money of the industrial elite." - Big Mick

Really Big Mick?? Sounds like a load of apologist rubbish to me. Very, very convenient. How come it is always the left that immediately resorts to violence and threats of violence Big Mick?? And they always have an excuse for it, that for some strange reason can only ever apply to their side of any situation.

Is it because they can never see any other way?? I myself have been threatened by members and Guests on this forum - all left-wing, all socialists.

In the case of the striking miners:

There were clearly stated laws detailing what was considered to be legal industrial action and what was considered to be illegal action. The miners and their "supporters" broke the law, the police acted in accordance with their duty to uphold the laws of the land, which Big Mick, can be challenged and changed in Parliament. Bugger all to do with protecting the money of the industrial elite - What "industrial elite" had money to protect in British National Coal Board?? The whole fiasco came about because a complete and utter prat called Scargill thought that he could dictate to the elected Government of the United Kingdom. The strike was far from "national" in coverage, Scargill was afraid to put the matter to a national ballot so unsure was he of the outcome of such a ballot.

Public opinion during the strike was divided and varied greatly in different regions. Overall, the government generally had more support than the miners.

When asked in a Gallup poll in July 1984 whether their sympathies lay mainly with the employers or the miners, 40% said employers; 33% were for the miners; 19% were for neither and 8% did not know.

When asked the same question in December 5 – 10 1984, 51% had most sympathy for the employers; 26% for the miners; 18% for neither and 5% did not know.

When asked in July 1984 whether they approved or disapproved of the methods used by the miners, 15% approved; 79% disapproved and 6% did not know.

When asked the same question in December 5 – 10 1984, 7% approved; 88% disapproved and 5% did not know.

In July 1984, when asked whether they thought the miners were using responsible or irresponsible methods, 12% said responsible; 78% said irresponsible and 10% did not know.

When asked the same question in August 1984, 9% said responsible; 84% said irresponsible and 7% did not know.