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Margaret Thatcher's views on socialism were explicit. She was totally against socialism in any form.
She referred to union leaders as 'the enemy within' in close meetings.
That is why when these strikes and riots happened in 1984-85, she acted ruthlessly against trade unions. https://twitter.com/Your_Levodopa/status/1326760949043376128
She referred to union leaders as 'the enemy within' in close meetings.
That is why when these strikes and riots happened in 1984-85, she acted ruthlessly against trade unions. https://twitter.com/Your_Levodopa/status/1326760949043376128
In 1972, Arthur Scargill a committed Marxist & Stalinist to an extent had successfully organised similar strike at Saltley coke depot Birmingham, forced Edward Heath's conservative government to surrender before mine workers.
This had made Scargill a hero among mine workers.
This had made Scargill a hero among mine workers.
He had innovated the tactic of using flying pickets. Rioters were 'supplied' to the site of the dispute. Most of the workers who shut down the plant were not even employed there. The tactic was lethally effective.
The same tactic is largely used in JNU, Jamia, CAA/NRC protests.
The same tactic is largely used in JNU, Jamia, CAA/NRC protests.
Scargill was committed to bringing about a communist revolution in Britain.
It is said about him that every morning, while shaving he looked in the mirror and used to say to his reflection, "One day, you will be the President of the Socialist Republic of Britain."
It is said about him that every morning, while shaving he looked in the mirror and used to say to his reflection, "One day, you will be the President of the Socialist Republic of Britain."
Thatcher was well aware of this disease of communism & knew the influence of Scargill among mine workers.
Comrade Scargill had become the president of Mineworkers Union in 1982 and was posing threats to the industries.
She was determined that nothing like Saltley should repeat.
Comrade Scargill had become the president of Mineworkers Union in 1982 and was posing threats to the industries.
She was determined that nothing like Saltley should repeat.
No matter what is takes.
To counter this threat, after 1983 election, she appointed Peter Walker, the Secretary of State for Energy for an extensive study of Scargill.
To counter this threat, after 1983 election, she appointed Peter Walker, the Secretary of State for Energy for an extensive study of Scargill.
He read everything Scargill had ever written, every word that had been written about him. It was successfully concluded that Scargill was a hardcore Communist. So Thatcher's ideological enemy.
To foil his every plan, MI5 was appointed to infiltrate Mineworkers Union to that extent that police even knew how many times Scargill breathed a minute.
Thatcher wanted to teach Communists a big lesson, such that they wouldn't come out in force again.
Thatcher wanted to teach Communists a big lesson, such that they wouldn't come out in force again.
When a strike was planned in 1984 in Orgreave, police already aware of his plans, was fully prepared this time.
'Imported workers' were allowed to gather near steel coking plant. While Scargill was busy in directing the mine workers.
'Imported workers' were allowed to gather near steel coking plant. While Scargill was busy in directing the mine workers.
Cops equipped with riot protection gear and truncheons were ready to run directly into the swarm of strikers. Ambulances were kept on standby. Cavalry & police trucks were ready to collect the picketers.
As the strikers resorted to violence against the convoy, police retaliated.
As the strikers resorted to violence against the convoy, police retaliated.
They took on the rioters in hand to hand combat. Strikers ran here and there to save their lives. Many were shoved into police trucks.
But it was just a start. In the second round of clash, the riot controlling 'snatch sqads' cantered straight into the crowd of strikers,
But it was just a start. In the second round of clash, the riot controlling 'snatch sqads' cantered straight into the crowd of strikers,
beating the rowdy strikers with truncheons very mercilessly.
Many trying to escape were chased down by the police and were beating even after they fell unconscious on ground.
This strike continued for a year and ended without any demands of communists being fulfilled.
Many trying to escape were chased down by the police and were beating even after they fell unconscious on ground.
This strike continued for a year and ended without any demands of communists being fulfilled.
A loud and clear message was given to Communist worker unions and Scargill by Thatcher that mob violence and intimidation would no longer be accepted as tactics to get their demands fulfilled by the government.
This victory of anti-Socialist Thatcher over Communist union was a major setback to the trade union movement in UK.
It changed the government's way of handling rioters.
It changed the government's way of handling rioters.
India faces similar challenges today. Whether it be Trade union protest, Shaheen Bagh, JNU, Jamia or any similar violent protests organised by leftists.
Narendra Modi can learn lots of things from Margaret Thatcher.
Narendra Modi can learn lots of things from Margaret Thatcher.
Read Margaret Thatcher's response to question on Orgreave violence:
https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/1984-06-19/debates/f71c5123-8c3b-4c16-aa58-6d4a83852dc2/Engagements
https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/1984-06-19/debates/f71c5123-8c3b-4c16-aa58-6d4a83852dc2/Engagements
