ImagesBrighton pictures of the week 19-4-2004

IMAGESBRIGHTON photography by david gray
	M I N E R S D E M O I N L O N D O N I N 1 9 8 5
	P I C T U R E S O F T H E W E E K 1 9 - 4 - 2 0 0 4

The miners strike started in the spring of 1984, twenty years ago, when the Thatcher government closed the Cortonwood colliery in Yorkshire. It was a battle about politics and ideology as well as jobs and the National Union of Mineworkers, set against the resources of the state and the newly unfettered market, stood little chance. But the miners fought on for almost a year, often in vicious physical confrontations with the police. This week's picture set remembers the miners demonstration in London in February 1985, by which time the mine closures were well under way and power supplies had been maintained through the worst of the winter months. The pride of the miners remained as they paraded their fine banners, but there was also sadness, bitterness and anger, especially as they passed the blocked-off entrance to Downing Street. Twenty years on and Arthur Scargill is forgotten, Margaret Thatcher is senile and the mines have almost all disappeared. For the ex-miners and their families, however, the memories will live on for a long time.

Leaders of the march include Tony Benn and Arthur Scargill (image 56-7)

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