bitter words they may be but when you are reduced to cooking food like baked beans on a wood fire in the hearth by candle light in winter it does make the mind work. been there and would hate to be in the same situation

over the years I have mellowed but I can truly say that her name makes all come flowing back

What of Thatchers main and long lasting legacy?

Her policies created record unemployment figures and her decision to close 150 of the 170 or so state owned collieries compounded the problem. It is estimated that at least 50% of the mines were profitable and needn't have closed. We currently feel the pinch of a worldwide energy crisis yet beneath our feet lays 300 years worth of coal. The cost of reopening new mines and retraining miners would run into billions and would dwarf the time adjusted figure that was saved by closing unprofitable mines.

Thatcher also sanctioned the use of profits from North Sea Gas to cover the cost of closing those pits, replacing coal with gas and to underwrite the cost of the record high in unemployment.

Compare her use of the nations gas revenue with that of Norway who spent their money creating employment, strengthening manufacture and building a modern national infrastructure which even today, in a world wide recession, has helped protect the Krona from the financial crisis in Europe.

Take today's news about RBS boss Stephen Hester awarding himself a near £1Million pound annual bonus on top of his £1.2Million pound salary despite his bank being 82% state owned and him being responsible for sacking over 21,000 RBS workers.

THAT is Thatchers legacy!

As many have said, palatable or not, depending upon your opinion of her Headstone, Dance floor or Urinal take your pick, that's how many feel.

You missed off Global Warming and the Japanese Tsunami - they must be her fault too based on that posting!

As I said, I got the information from a quick Google search - I don't know if it's right or, as you say, bollox.

Either way, I certainly wasn't attacking the position or criticising miners - I'm not sure why you've felt the need to do that to me?

This is such an emotive subject that both sides will see things in a particular light. Whether you agree with it or not there will be as many people who will argue the benefits of Thatchers policies as see things as you and many others on here do. That is a direct result of this region being on the recieving end.

As to whether the country as a whole benefitted - that's a whole other story and I am not going to get drawn into that any further - so that's me done on here! Good luck!

not having pop at you it a fact that there are some positions in life where work doesn't get the respect it deserves

firemen and other rescue services hold more respect to me than some jumped up yuppie banker that can make money sat at a desk

You're right it is emotive, very emotive but my post is factual.

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=421878 If you wish to carry on with this o/t thread i suggest you remove it.

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=421878 If you wish to carry on with this o/t thread i suggest you remove it.

MMMMMMMM.
Anyway, being a steelworker from Barnsley I know, and saw, at first hand what SHE did. Can't wait for the party.

I think we should passionate about our club and not passed history

roll on next week

To gain public sympathy, the NUM should at least have called a ballot. They didn't, and that was the start of the problem.

If the unions had won it would have meant the falling of three governments in about a decade, and thatcher wasn't (quite rightly IMO) going to let that happen.
The union leaders were far too strong for their own and their members good, never should such groups of people have been able to hold a gun to the heads of the nation and it's people.
In hindsight it's fairly obvious but the miners (and other trade unions) were swept away in the surging fury of their leaders speaches and promises, it had worked in the past and it will work once again, bloody hell it's only a woman.
Like her or loathe her, the trade unions met their match in Maggie, she was as ruthless and blinkered as they were, sadly that led to much suffering for the average man, but ultimately, as it should be IMO, the elected government of the day called the shots, not some lawless hot head union leaders.