From the mines in the Rhondda Valley to the coalfields of Flintshire, miners and mining communities across the Wales played an integral role in Britain’s industrial success. But those communities that powered Britain, were completely decimated by an uncompromising hard-line Tory Government led by Margaret Thatcher.

The upheaval of the Miner’s Strike continues to leave an imprint on mining communities and the 7 million people who live within the borders of the former coalfields of England, Scotland and Wales.

On the 40th anniversary of the start of the 1984-85 Miners’ Strike, we remember the solidarity and strength of our mining communities in the face of severe hardship. We must never let another Tory government inflict the damage of deindustrialisation on our Welsh communities.

Under Labour, our industrial heartlands will get the backing they need. We will deliver good, clean jobs backed by stronger rights at work to ensure a high-growth, high-wage economy
for all.

Labour also recognises the need to tackle historic injustices, which is why we support a full investigation or inquiry into the events at Orgreave to uncover the truth. Labour will also ensure that unlawful blacklisting of trade unionists is a practice never seen again in Britain with the law properly enforced, and that anti-blacklisting laws and protections keep pace with the changing nature of work and technological advancements.