Leeds Bradford Newswire Archive

Firstly thank you for contacting me. I'm hopping mad about what I've heard, but I may not have been told the whole story. I can tell you too the mining community whats left of us feel utterly betrayed by rumours about you swinging all your efforts to close down what remains of the coal
industry. There are debates about counter-demonstrations etc and press statements from the power workers and miners. So its vital we do not take up cudgels over this unless and until and at least that we know where each
other stand. I was a matter of interest with the National General secretary of the NUM and the Yorkshire Area Leadership last weekend and they are spitting feathers about the Drax demonstration. The slogans on the demonstration and the statements made to the press by the protestsrs
demonstrated no concern for the miners, railway workers or power workers.

There was no consultation with us, no debate with us, no seeing what we wanted or how we see the world or how we can see if there is anything is common. 'Leave It In The Ground' was the banner which was unfurled at Drax, 'it' being the coal, and the miners ? where do we leave them ? that
bit wasn't answered. We know where John Major and Maggie Thatcher and Harold Wilson left us, on the dung heap, and most of us are still there.