Support the Miners! M.p.s

A group of M.P.s representing mining constituencies have been trying to put pressure on the Government to modify its disastrous policy towards the coal industry. So far they have met with little success. On the contrary, the Government White Paper en fuel policy which announced that 120,000 miners jobs were in jeopardy was followed by the plans for the ‘reorganisation! of the Coal Board's structure, The latter move threatens the jobs of thousands of clerical workers in the industry, In both cases the unions have complained bitterly about lack of consultation. For once we must agree with Lord Robens in characterising the Government's policy as "stiie capitalist", rather than socialist. Another disquieting feature is the complaint by the mining M.P.s of lack of action by the leadership of the National Union of Mineworkers, They can scarcely mean the Scottish and South Wales N.U.M.s who have been doing what they can to draw attention to the drift of Government policy. But if the union as a whole has been lulled into a false sense of security by the Government's arguments a big mistake has been made, What is needed is a large-scale campaign against the murder of the coal industry. This is an affair which affects every section of the Labour movemente To allow, in the name of the 'national interest!', the neo-capitalist rationalisation of a major section of British industry sets a dangerous precedent. A combined campaign, in and out of Parliament, should be mounted. Above all independent action by the miners themselves is the key. For decades the miners have been the backbone of Labour support up and down the country, Mr. Wilson must be told in completely unmistable terms that the support is in very serious danger of erosion if he continues along the present path, WELCOME, SYDNEY SILVERMAN AND TOM SWAIN! We are extremely happy to report that two more M,P.s have joined our band, Tom Swain, M.P., the vigorous spokesman of the Derbyshire miners, is a most welcome recruit. His strong denunciation of the attack on the mining industry was warmly received by all our readers, Our other new sponsor needs no introduction to anyone = he is Sydney Silverman, the grand old warrior of the left, the man who put an end to the scaffold. We are proud and happy to welcome him. We are sorry to report the resignation of two-of our parliamentary sponsors. Norman Buchan & Eric Varley have both asked us to withdraw their names from our panel, We regret losing them, and hope that we shall remain close allies in many future struggles,