I came across this historical thread by accident.

3 Points from a South Wales perspective.

1/. "The Yorkshire Miners will fight to the Last Welshman" - actual quote from 1983.

2/. Scargill lost a National Ballot 6 months before the strike on a vote on the Closure of the Albion Pit at Cilfyndd (Nr Pontypridd)

3/. There was a determined campaign by Thatcher to smash organised Labour, and the Nationalised Industries - Scargills Kamikazi Tactics made it possible. There is no doubt that if in the summer of 84 Scargill had acepted the compromise offered by McGregor when he had NACODS to fight as well that Bloody Womans head would have rolled within 6 months. - And that was a price we all paid !

Gareth