Marching to the Fault Line [Paperback]

I don't know what to make of this book. The authors appear to skip between the machinations between and within the relevant parties without offering much substance at any juncture. There are some glaring omissions however. I note that no police officer is credited in the acknowledgements and bearing in mind the express and implied criticism levelled at that organization (much, but not all, justified) an interview or two with some cops might have offered some balance. As an example of bias there is a telling couple of anecdotes where a police officer has a "dig" at a flying picket asking who is "doing his wife" whilst when one of Anne Scargill's makes the same enquiry of a Somerset Policeman it is seen as a joke. I'm willing to bet that neither the cop or the picket found the question funny but the authors' use of language shows where their loyalties lie.

And of course that is a problem when discussing something so momentous that happened such a relatively short time ago. There will be bias, and that is understandable as long as it is stated - Seamus Milne's book for example doesn't pretend to be something it isn't. This book has a stated intention of being unbiased but as I say above it takes pot-shots at easy targets, e.g. the dead (McGregor), organizations (the Police/NUM), and people who they know won't comment (Scargill/Thatcher).

I suppose it is difficult to do justice to this subject as there are two distinct strands in the dispute - the human one on the picket line as it were, and the political one setting the agenda and this book is aimed at discussing the latter rather than the former which would have been of more interest to me.

This is an attempt by two journalists to add to the understanding of the strike and it is a step forward. It confirms 'secret' deals done by Kinnock, The UDM with the NCB and even McGahey with Whitelaw. It gives us access to key documents so goes beyond spin of the time. To be fair the authors wanted to speak to Scargill but he refused. They also make clear they do not think Scargill just a fool, p249. It also reads better than The Times snobbish offering or even 'Loss Without Limit' which is seen as the definitive work.

Where it fails is the usual lack of empathy with miners and Scargill. As usual with outsiders it applies 'common sense' without context or cultural understanding e.g. you don't just tell tens of thousands of spontaneous strikers to go back to work and wait for the ballot papers! Like many it concludes that Scargill should have taken one of the deals on offer so it could at least look like victory. In other words a betrayal dressed as victory. That would have been truly egotistical of Scargill. To tell miners a review procedure was in place that was worthless and protected nobody would have fooled nobody. Another example of the authors lack of empathy is their sympathising with Gavin Lightman QC in asking why Scargill hid secret accounts from the rest of the NUM Executive. At least Lightman was ignorant about Joe Gormley having been a Special Branch informer! Let me spell it out gentlemen, Scargill couldn't trust anybody. Its well known there were MI5 agents and SB informers around so he didn't broadcast it lest it get seized. Funny that eh?

As for Scargill himeslf, yes he was vain and egotistical, like all big time people, union leaders, politicians, actors etc. The leaders of ordinary men and women had to be as strong and confident as those they opposed since those they opposed had the state and media carrying them along. One things for sure, Scargill scared Thatcher and the establishment in a way 'sensible' Kinnock and Willis or any number of anti capitalist riots simply did not.

This book has actually reinforced my belief in Scargill in a strange way in that I always rolled my eyes at Scargills declaration that the strike was a victory. However Ken Capstick sums up that point perfectly on p247. In short when a more powerful enemy wants to break you there is dignity in fighting back, win or lose. The meek inherit nothing. Scargill knew the union movement was about to be hit by the Thatcher juggernaut and like the bravest in a team stepped forward to take the fight to the enemy and asked his side to follow but... Anyone streetwise knew that Thatcher could not be wheeled and dealed with. Look what happened to the naive Notts men who had a letter thanking them from the lady herself and were assured they had bright futures.

As for the personal stuff, leave the gossip to the Daily Mail harpies. Scargill is not a lonely old man, he has been seen out and about with his grandchildren at an Arsenal match and a store opening in Barnsley so we can assume he is friendly with his daughter! The tiresome comparison with a WW1 general is plain wrong since WW1 generals did not lead from the front or get hospitalised. They were many miles behind their men in chateaus. A bit like Eric Hammond and John Lyons incidentally.

So with hindsight and key documents proving the review procedure and promises offered by the NCB were worthless and confirmation that state informers were around these authors still ask the same cliched questions. 10 out of 10 for fresh research gentlemen, 2 out of 10 for new answers.

What is really needed is a comprehensive book by an insider or journo with greater understanding, step forward Seumas Milne, Dave Douglass or Arthur himself. Why he has written and said so little is beyond me, he is 71 after all. If he or his friends read this I suggest he gets a move on.

Having spent many years in the coal industry, in both production and industrial relations, this book makes an interesting read and viewpoint of those involved in the strife in industry.