Story time...

[GrannyMac]

It needs to stop now! 

I'm a natural conservative, on the moderate side of the party. But I have never lived in a Conservative constituency.  I left Scotland in my 20s, before the SNP raised its head, but I'll be honest, I wasn't really interested back then.

I've lived in different parts of South Yorkshire, which has pretty much been a Labour stronghold for a very long time.  Tory is a dirty word and they still burn effigies of Maggie in some villages. However, Reform is gaining support.   I can only hope they either get in to government on their own, or as a coalition with the Conservatives.  

[klondike]

Her policies destroyed many mining communities although the real villain there was Scargill who seemed to think that spring was a good time to start a strike having given enough warning signals for all the power stations to have stockpiles of coal taller than Ben Nevis.

[JBR]

Regarding the increase in non-white British citizens, the change not only continues, but seriously increases.  That is regarding those who are now here legally who, presumably, even Reform could not remove.

This could become seriously worse, if and when TwoTier decides to give British citizenship to many (if not all) of our illegal immigrants who are presently being housed in hotels or possibly in individual houses among us.

Before Farage and Reform can become our next government, the situation could become serious and beyond possible restoration.  Marge and I are not in danger, but I do feel sorry for all the British people who have children and do not have the means to emigrate.

[GrannyMac]

Her policies destroyed many mining communities although the real villain there was Scargill who seemed to think that spring was a good time to start a strike having given enough warning signals for all the power stations to have stockpiles of coal taller than Ben Nevis.

It could have turned out quite differently but for Scargill. I lived in a pit village in Doncaster for a while when the kids were young. The NCB was so unionised that everyone who worked in the ancillary services, admin, stores, medical, (and all the way up the line) was paid more than equivalent jobs in other industries.   I supported anyone going underground getting a good income, but no surprises that it was unprofitable.  

I also thought it ironic that a clerk in the NCB could use their heating allowance to pay their gas bill.  I worked for what was the Gas Board, we didn't get that perk. It had grown out of the miners getting a coal allowance as part of their pay, and then was applied to almost every employee.   The NCB also owned estates of houses, the rents were subsidised, so it was hardly surprising that in a small village three social clubs thrived.   

We all know what happens when unions get too much power, no one wins in the long run.

[Scrumpy]

Marge and I are not in danger, but I do feel sorry for all the British people who have children and do not have the means to emigrate.

Emigrate!!!   
I think you will find that this BIG problem is worldwide..  Even my beloved Australia..
It just takes a little longer to penetrate larger countries.. But it will happen...

[JBR]

It could have turned out quite differently but for Scargill. I lived in a pit village in Doncaster for a while when the kids were young. The NCB was so unionised that everyone who worked in the ancillary services, admin, stores, medical, (and all the way up the line) was paid more than equivalent jobs in other industries.  I supported anyone going underground getting a good income, but no surprises that it was unprofitable. 

I also thought it ironic that a clerk in the NCB could use their heating allowance to pay their gas bill.  I worked for what was the Gas Board, we didn't get that perk. It had grown out of the miners getting a coal allowance as part of their pay, and then was applied to almost every employee.  The NCB also owned estates of houses, the rents were subsidised, so it was hardly surprising that in a small village three social clubs thrived. 

We all know what happens when unions get too much power, no one wins in the long run.

I fully agree that Scargill was the real root cause of the mine closures.  Greed.  Just before the new millennium, I used to help out at Astley Green colliery when school visits were arranged, and I am fully aware of the hardships of coal mining.  I have every support for the miners, as were, but Scargill and his union was, in my opinion, the root cause of the closure of many coal mines.  Of course, many people blame Thatcher, but at the same time seem to forget that many coal mines were closed under Harold Wilson.

[Ashy]

I think the story of coal miners in Britain is one of the sadest in the world. When I hear of the descendants of slaves (ended throughout the Empire by 1820) demanding reparations, I wonder whether the slaves had such a hard time of it. Their descendants haven't been slaves for 200 years. What have the descendants of coal miners got? Empty towns, no major industry, nothing.

[klondike]

Steel too but that impacts less folk. 

We moved from an economy where we dug stuff up and made things from it to one where we sold each other insurance or at the lower end burgers

[Michael Rolls]

last I checked Scargill was still in subsidied housing paid for by the NUM

[JBR]

Steel too but that impacts less folk.

We moved from an economy where we dug stuff up and made things from it to one where we sold each other insurance or at the lower end burgers

True.  I'm afraid that just about all of our industry has gone now.  If we no longer make things that people want or need, where do we hope to make money as a country?  You can juggle it about, but where can you get more?

[klondike]

Rachel from Complaints will soon be printing some more so no worries.

[Ashy]

True.  I'm afraid that just about all of our industry has gone now.  If we no longer make things that people want or need, where do we hope to make money as a country?  You can juggle it about, but where can you get more?

You put your finger on it.
Any bloody fool can create work and print money
But wealth comes from extraction, manufacture, farming and fishing.
Work doesn't necessarily create any real wealth. Somebody once compared the situation to doing each other's washing.

[Scrumpy]

Are you sitting comfortably...!

Today we are talking about sums.. simple arithmetic..

2 planes = 19
  50,000 minus 19 = ??   

Answer:  570,000

[klondike]

For Labour ~ 1,500 seats lost in the May council elections + double digits only parliamentary seats in the next General election. For Tories a continued decline into oblivion.

[muddy]

I think the story of coal miners in Britain is one of the sadest in the world. When I hear of the descendants of slaves (ended throughout the Empire by 1820) demanding reparations, I wonder whether the slaves had such a hard time of it. Their descendants haven't been slaves for 200 years. What have the descendants of coal miners got? Empty towns, no major industry, nothing.

I come from a family of coal miners the history is indeed  poignant .
The thought of men quite literally slaving away beneath the earth is horrible to I again 
And they died young dying if not by accidents in the mines  by a slow painful death by silicosis