The labour movement had the best opportunity in 50 years to transform not merely an industrial situation and win an important battle for workers in struggle, but an opportunity to change the government of the day.

All too often miners, and indeed other trade unionists, underestimate the economic strength they have.

The trouble with the Labour Party leadership and the trade union leadership, they're quite willing to applaud millions on the streets of the Philippines or in Eastern Europe, without understanding the need to also produce millions of people on the streets of Britain.

If youve got an industry where youve got massive investment, it doesnt matter whether you bring in alternative supplies. You still lose the money on that industry.

Only a fool wants a confrontation and only a fool wants a strike.

There's a feeling that strength is determined by the size of a union. That clearly is nonsense.

I have never been an idealist - that implies you aren't going to achieve something.