ABSTRACT
The coal strikes of 1972 and 1974 represent the end of an epoch for the miners. The political activity of The Yorkshire Miners was profoundly influenced by the outcome of the controversy over how best to defend the miners’ interests. All studies of working class politics note the electoral role of the miners. The new Yorkshire leadership were determined that never again would miners’ wages and conditions be bartered or held hostage to the political interests of a Labour Government. Under the twin impact of competitive electoral politics and the traditional governing style of compromise and consensus, post-1945 politics became characterised by a willingness to conciliate powerful corporate forces. Internal conflict and political change was produced by a conflict over means and ends. After 1974 the Yorkshire Area and Yorkshire miners played a leading role in opposing the return to pre-1971 policies of avoiding industrial action and relying on a sympathetic Labour Government.
