Do you agree with the view that the prime cause of the miners' strike in 1984 was the Conservative government's determination to reduce trade union power? - (40 - pg. 142 M. Lynch)

On the 6th of March 1984, the National Coal Board announced that, in order to reduce government subsidies to the coal industry, twenty coal pits were to be closed. Six days later, Arthur Scargill, the leader of the NUM (National Union of Mineworkers) announced that the regional strikes that were already occurring across Yorkshire, were to be made nationwide. This exorbitant reaction was felt necessary, when taking into account that tens of thousands of jobs were to be lost. Whole communities thrived and relied on coal in northern England, southern Wales, and parts of Scotland. These communities were under threat. What followed onwards was a twelve month mass strike by the miners and their union, with the Conservative government led by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, already prepared, by stockpiling coal and coke. Regardless, the UK still suffered mass disruption in power. Many were effected. The 1980's was the first generation in the UK where almost every British household had a television. The miners' strike was broadcasted live, and within it, showed the police brutality, the miners' violence, and the chaos that it begat. The footage showed two forces fighting each other, similar to the two forces in politics; Arthur Scargill of the NUM, against Ian McGregaor (Head of the National Coal Board) and Margaret Thatcher. Two very stubborn personalities were battling for which direction Britain should head in. Thatcher's government thought these undemocratic unions were too powerful. It was clear that the trade unions still had power and had the force to change. The UK relied on its workers to deliver service, and the workers had the power to disrupt service, under the will of the