Introduction

The General Strike and lockout of 1926 had two crucial effects on the political development of the miners. First, it convinced the miners’ leaders that strike action should only be used in the very last resort and never with any political intent. Second, it reinforced the already strong commitment of the Union and the miners to the election of a majority Labour Government which would nationalise the mines. Affiliation to the Labour Party was important as it linked the miners to a broader political strategy - parliamentary socialism. Miners do constitute the largest bloc of organised political influence in these Constituency Labour Parties and there remains a potential for considerable National Union of Mineworkers influence. The strikes of 1969 and 1970 saw the emergence of a new generation of leaders who rejected the policies pursued after 1947, a rejection symbolised by a willingness to use industrial action, against government if necessary.