I watched the film Pride the other evening. It's about the
Lesbian and Gay community that supported the miners' strike in 1984. I balled
my eyes out at the end of the film and both laughed and felt the tears
trickling down my face through it. It's a film that conveys an important
message. That message is:
The importance of solidarity - United we stand, divided we fall.
We can defeat the Tories and all the other bigots on the
right. We can overcome the hate mongers. There are more of us than them. We
just need to organise. If all those that are currently being targeted and
persecuted by the right joined together we could drive them from power and elect
a progressive government. A progressive government, an alliance that will serve
all of the people.
I have always felt that the miners' strike was a
misjudgement by the likes of Arthur Scargill and the NUM leadership. A trap was
set and they fell for it. And it was the members that suffered. The men of the
pits paid the price. The folly of their leaders broke the labour movement.
If all the pressure groups that represent those that are
currently being bullied and oppressed by the right joined forces then a
powerful movement could be built. A movement of inclusiveness. A movement for
fairness, equality and justice. Society is a hollow vessel if it is not for
all.
