Difference of course is that they were likely to end up arrested and facing charges. The police do not get a carte blanche to do what they like.

And they did give 'as good as they got' with the only difference is none of them were charged or arrested, obviously.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]

I've more to add on this debate.... but for starters....

Why are Labour MP's like Andy Burnham so riled up about this now?

Seems to me that there was no better opportunity to have an Inquiry between 1997 and 2010 when Labour governed? The economy was in a better shape initially too (until they ruined it) so we could afford a full on Inquiry.

Why do left wingers continually want Inquiries anyway?

They are extremely costly, often have no real purpose and achieve nothing of real value despite people saying they will bring "closure".

With all the pressure on this government to bring spending under control, the last thing they need is yet another Inquiry into events carried out in the Eighties.

There's already the Inquiry into Saville, Janner etc., that looks like it's going to run for ever and cost billions and we've only just got the results of Chilcott (Iraq War).

You lefties sure know how to spend (waste) other people's money pursuing the truth and ending up with a whitewash.

Barristers and Judges must love the constant offers of cushy lucrative work put their way.

I find the miners strike fascinating looking back on it.

I understand their stance, ie. for them, their complete way of life was being taken away, jobs, communities etc. And they would be prepared to fight for it.

However, I don't see why a new investigation is needed.

1. These weren't men who going to there to just picket behind a line, they were there looking for confrontation, and my word they got it.

As said in a post previously, the Police force in the 80's had a reputation for being excessive with physical restraint. So, the miners knew full well what they were up against.

2. Just to illustrate the types of strikers they were, I saw an interview with Kelvin Mckenzie about the undercover reporter he sent in to infiltrate the flying pickets. This bloke just about got away with his life after they suspected he was a reporter. He was locked in a van with a group of 12 men, and got way with a 7 to 5 vote. Had he lost, would he be here now ?

This is without the terrible imitation they gave working miners and their young families.

3. For MPs to try and equate this to Hillsborough is disgusting. I would severely angry if I was one of the grieving families.

One group left on a sunny day innocently to watch a football match and never came home. Another group set out that morning looking for confrontation, and some got arrested (albeit heavy handedly) and no one died. No comparison.

As said, why is it copping up now.

Even now, what 30 years later, some of these ex-miners refuse to move on and let it go. Not everything lasts forever, I don't see the steel workers going mental over the steel works being closed. And they have been screwed over the government as well by refusing to tax Chinese steel to make it unattractive.

Just my views of course.

All to predictable wails of outrage from Labour. Don't recall them instigating an enquiry when they were in Government.

No, someone else has made the comparison. He's just illustrated why it's not a valid one.

Matt mentioned the 'Battle of Saltley Gate" in the 70s when thousands of pickets overwhelmed the Police in a violent confrontation.

I recall a placard headed by the 'Socialist Worker' which read words to the effect "Turn Orgreave into another Saltley" carried by someone in a throng of left-wing protestors.Intentions were clear.

Edited by Willo (01 Nov 2016 3.11pm)