Video: Arthur Scargill - 25 Years after the Miners' Strike

by Anarcho Trade Unionist Sun Nov 15, 2009 18:32

"Engaging, revealing and entertaining this video of 57 minutes offers many valuable lessons for today"

I watched the video. Interesting guy, and 10/10 for conviction. But, what are the valuable lessons for today? Are we forgeting that not one of the objectives of ICC were achieved during his period of leadership? He was driven by an idea, and had no strategy. A great ideologue but a terrible trade unionist.

We can learn more about what NOT to do. 192 coal pits were closed and 170,000 people lost their jobs. This was more to do with the hard line strategy from Thatcher. But, talk to anyone from the areas affected, and those active in the National Union of Mineworkers and you will find just as much hostility toward the militant tactics of Scargill as you would against that Tory cow.

He championed the idea of a 'scab' to advance the struggle of miners but in the end it divided workers more than it united them. It also created hatred amongst communities. An awful tactic. He also championed a dodgy nationalist rhetoric than is particularly dangerous during intense moments of class struggle.

by Crevette - None Thu Nov 19, 2009 10:56

Hi Ireland
I fully watched the video and was pleased to see such conviction and art in a performance. The anecdotes were moving.
We in France don't hear much about political issues from Ireland.
I discovered your site by chance and I wih you put more of these on line. I like to diversify my information sources and you're difficult to find!
I would not comment the political implications of the speech Arthur SCARGILL as my english will not allow it ( and my lack on Irish history) but it feels good to see that on the other side of water, there are people who stands against the main f***ing capitalist stream.

Great!
And greetings from the land where came that"box of frog legs" :)