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All comes to rest

The House of Commons have concluded their debate with regards to the recent strike and the impacts of its aftermath. Miners are back at work, hopeful about their future. The economy slowly builds up, and the tension dissolves. Though glimpses of the energy crisis loom, all is at peace now. The future is uncertain, but the House of Commons has been fully equipped with the ability to respond to all situations as a House of Consensus, to work together for a better United Kingdom.   

(1 April, 1972) 

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Sooty future or no?

A week has passed since the end of the Miners' Strike. As the nation slowly mends the damage caused by 2 months of discord, coal stockpiles have been running low due excessive reliance during the strike. The House of Commons has been debating on alternative energy sources to prevent future such crises. Yet no solid decision has been made, and MPs have been in fact distracted by other jokes and issues. The public are slightly upset that the MPs do not seem to take their plights seriously.

(March 7, 1972)

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End of the Miners' Strike

BREAKING NEWS: The House of Commons has passed a bill to safeguard the interests of miners, a much-needed move since the 1960s. Seeing this, The National Union of Mineworkers has officially ceased all strike activity and agreed to accept the proposed solutions regarding their wages and safety.

The Queen has announced a day of rest and recovery tomorrow, which is coincidentally a unique leap day. Meanwhile, Members of Parliament fret about the aftermath of the strike, its impacts on the coal industry and energy supplies.

(28 February, 1972)

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Love and peace?

As the clock strikes 12, Britain has received a perfect Valentine's Day gift. Seeing the security bill passed by the House of Commons after the death of Fred Matthews, as well as other measures to maintain the wages of miners in future, the NUM has shown a more relenting attitude. Strikes have died down in certain regions of the United Kingdom. However, the strikes have still left a mark on the coal industry, energy supplies and social sentiment.

On that note, the Queen wishes everyone a Happy Valentine's Day.

(14 February, 1972)

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Below is a transcript from a BBC Radio Broadcast

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the death of Fred Matthews, a coal miner who was picketing at the Keadby Power station. Matthews was stuck and killed by a lorry speeding out of the power station. The lorry mounted the pavement, "scattering pickets", and failed to stop after hitting Matthews. Such an incident shows the risks that miners go through to strike, and fight for the causes that they believe in. The nation awaits for an official statement from the government and the opposition, and possible subsequent action.

(7 February 1972)

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Backtraced

Miners see no further action taken by the House of Commons and have gone back to the strike, this time more aggravated. Picketers surround buildings and crowd the roads, posing a great disruption to British citizens. A miner interviewed mentioned, “Why are they fighting? They are attacking each other, so we attack too! It’s like they don’t even care about us…” Tensions rise between the police and pickets, as casualty numbers rise…hand in hand.  

(24 January, 1972) 

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Some progress?

NUM has relented to stop picketing, but the miners will not stop the strike. They are not going to work as long as they stay in this dangerous field of work with minimum wages. They look towards alternative jobs, maybe something safer? Alternative forms of energy? The miners also expressed discomfort at their Favourite Party who perhaps lost track of who they advocated for. Were they still for the miners?

(20 January, 1972)

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A Coal Crisis

Two days have passed since the National Union of Mineworkers have embarked on a nationwide strike, the first since 1926. All 289 coal mines have ceased production completely, sending Britain into a fuel and energy crisis.

Several trade unions have stopped the transportation of coal and coke into and across Britain. Furthermore, in an act of solidarity in protests, unions of engineers and firemen have refused to operate trains carrying fuel. MPs so far have successfully stockpiled 800 tonnes of coal, and the private haulage firms have delivered their promise of transporting coal. Yet only a quarter of coal imports from Argentina and Poland have been delivered. Public unrest is mounting as throngs of miners picket outside buildings and run ubiquitous. Will the MPs be blinded to these problems?

(11 January, 1972)

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Strikes begin as chaos descends upon the nation

John Witherow | The Times

Strikes have begun across the nation as Britain faced its 1st week of official strikes led by the NUM. Panic has started spreading across the nation, with citizens stockpiling their daily needs and resources, leaving shelves in shops empty. Cases of looting have increased by 15%, as public order begins to break down. The worst is yet to come though, with potential energy shortages and violent scuffles certain to break out. It remains to be seen if the HOC can come to the nation's aid in this time of crisis.

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Strikes loom as Britain faces a potential “Coal” Winter

Katherine Viner | The Guardian

As unrest remains between the government and coal unions, the people of Britain have begun bracing for a potentially devastating winter.

Sources from within the NUM have told The Guardian that pay negotiations between the NUM and NCB have broken down, and that members of the NUM have discussed for the week of 2 to 7 January 1972 for balloting on industrial action. It remains to be seen if crisis talks among members of the HOC could save Britain from a devastating few winter months.

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Opinion Piece: Tory Trouble

Surely the conservatives should have learned their lesson by now, but no. The Tories are insistent on putting profits before morals, continuing to prioritise the riches of coal bosses and themselves before the welfare of the people. Miners act as the heart and soul of our nation, and yet the Tories treat them simply as pawns on a chessboard. The requests of the NUM must be met, and not any less.

I strongly urge labour to stand strong in the face of Tory failure, and fight for the rights of the miners. Never give in to the Tories.

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Telegraph Exclusive: New details of bill as government plans to raise the wages of miners

Chris Evans | The Daily Telegraph

Sources close to Westminster have told the Daily Telegraph about new details of a current bill proposed by the government. Main details in the bill include stockpiling coal in the event for future incidents, progressive wage increases and agreements and private haulage companies. The Telegraph understands that the Government will be offering wage increases of 12% from 1972 to 1973, and 15% from the 1973 value from 1974 to 1975. 

However, details of the bill remain fuzzy, with no explanation on how miners will be convinced to work for the government to stockpile coal, how private haulage firms will be coerced to collaborate with the government and the specific on the trade agreements between the UK, Argentina and Poland.

This is an unprecedentedly brief bill, certainly an unorthodox move from the government for an issue as serious as this.

Polls conducted by the Telegraph show a nation divided, with 40% approving of such a measure while close to 35% of the population advocating for higher wage increases. 

This is certainly a welcome move from the Conservative government to ensure the stability of Britain, however questions remain about the willingness of the NUM to accept such an offer. With current plans only stretching to 1975, could this be a first sign of a swift transition away from coal?

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Hear Hear, the Queen's 1971 Christmas Speech

A broadcoast from the BBC from the 25 December 1971.

MPs will sure find the speech from HM Queen Elizabeth II inspiring and reinvigorate them for the new year

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What is the solution?

10 days have passed since the NUM's request for a pay raise, and the House of Commons has yet to respond. Increasingly upset with the government's inaction, miners across the United Kingdom appear to be gathering. Merry Christmas?

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Tensions are rising

The year is 1971, with 10 days until Christmas, but British miners are in no jolly mood.  

Despite braving hazardous conditions at work, they are severely underpaid compared to other industrial workers. This comes as the nation’s coal industry, while still a major supplier of electricity, goes into steady decline. Amidst rising dissatisfaction, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has asked the government for a whopping 43% pay rise for miners. Meanwhile, the pay rise proposed by the National Coal Board (NCB) so far is capped at 8%. The public awaits the decision of the House of Commons. How will the Members of Parliament allay the miners’ worries?