AS

Arthur Scargill

24quotes

Arthur Scargill
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Full Name and Common Aliases


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Arthur James Scargill was born on October 11, 1938, in Barnsley, Yorkshire, England.

Birth and Death Dates


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Born: October 11, 1938
 Still alive, with no reported date of death

Nationality and Profession(s)


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Scargill is a British former trade union leader and politician. He rose to prominence as the President of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), serving in this position from 1981 to 2002.

Early Life and Background


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Arthur Scargill was born into a mining family. His father, also named Arthur, worked at the local coal mine, while his mother managed the family's small shop. Young Arthur attended Barnsley Grammar School before dropping out to work in the mines. This decision marked the beginning of his lifelong connection with the industry.

As Scargill grew older, he became increasingly involved in trade union activities. He joined the NUM and quickly rose through its ranks, demonstrating a natural talent for leadership and a strong commitment to workers' rights.

Major Accomplishments


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Scargill's most notable achievement was his role in leading the 1984-85 UK miners' strike. This tumultuous period saw Scargill pitted against Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's government, which sought to break the power of the coal industry unions.

The strike lasted for nearly a year, with Scargill at its helm. Despite widespread support from the public and other trade unions, the strike ultimately ended in defeat. However, it remains a pivotal moment in British labor history, highlighting the struggle between workers and government control.

Notable Works or Actions


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Scargill's leadership during the miners' strike was marked by his unwavering commitment to the cause. He traveled extensively throughout the country, rallying support among miners and their families. Scargill also engaged in high-profile confrontations with Thatcher's administration, including a famous confrontation at the High Court in 1984.

Impact and Legacy


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Scargill's influence on British labor history is undeniable. His leadership during the miners' strike raised awareness about workers' rights and the importance of collective action. While his methods were often criticized, Scargill remained true to his principles, earning both admiration and animosity from various quarters.

In the years following the strike, Scargill continued to advocate for workers' rights, albeit with less prominence. He eventually stepped down as NUM President in 2002, after more than two decades at the helm.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


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Arthur Scargill's quotes and actions continue to be relevant today due to their historical significance and continued relevance to labor rights issues. His unwavering commitment to workers' causes has made him a respected figure among those advocating for social justice and collective action.

Scargill's leadership during the miners' strike serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up against oppression, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of labor activists and advocates for workers' rights.

Quotes by Arthur Scargill

Contrast that with the call of the Liberal Democrats in April, when they were prepared to call upon the British people to participate in a 24-hour strike. It shows how far to the right the Labour Party’s gone.
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Contrast that with the call of the Liberal Democrats in April, when they were prepared to call upon the British people to participate in a 24-hour strike. It shows how far to the right the Labour Party’s gone.
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I have never been an idealist – that implies you aren’t going to achieve something.
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I have never been an idealist – that implies you aren’t going to achieve something.
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There’s a feeling that strength is determined by the size of a union. That clearly is nonsense.
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There’s a feeling that strength is determined by the size of a union. That clearly is nonsense.
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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.
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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.
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I wouldn’t vote for Ken Livingstone if he were running for mayor of Toytown.
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I wouldn’t vote for Ken Livingstone if he were running for mayor of Toytown.
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Yet what you need is not marches, demonstrations, rallies or wide associations, all of them are important. What you need is direct action. The sooner people understand that, the sooner we’ll begin to change things.
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Yet what you need is not marches, demonstrations, rallies or wide associations, all of them are important. What you need is direct action. The sooner people understand that, the sooner we’ll begin to change things.
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My father still reads the dictionairy every day. He says your life depends on your power to master words.
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My father still reads the dictionairy every day. He says your life depends on your power to master words.
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In 1984, the miners' union, which was down to about 180,000, was able to sustain a national industrial dispute for one year and four months.
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In 1984, the miners' union, which was down to about 180,000, was able to sustain a national industrial dispute for one year and four months.
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#dispute
My father still reads the dictionairy every day. He says your life depends on your power to master words
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My father still reads the dictionairy every day. He says your life depends on your power to master words
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#masters
I have never been an idealist - that implies you aren't going to achieve something.
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I have never been an idealist - that implies you aren't going to achieve something.
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#idealism
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