Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
I can answer that, David: put simply, tons of coal produced times £ per ton came to less than number of miners times their wages. Branson type people only buy businesses which are potentially profitable and the challenges involved in making coal profitable were too tough and the risks too high.
Many grievous and disgraceful errors were made on both sides and it's unfair to pin 100% blame on either side. At least until the full facts are known.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
I can ask another question, why was Branson not allowed to run the National Lottery?
Tony Blair could answer that one but I bet he never does.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Reg, you were the leader of DDC, you epitomise the standard of local politician that has led to the demise of the town, beyond c&p you have nothing to offer beyond patronising and glib remarks.
You people are the problem not the solution
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
David
not surprisingly I don't share your last post
By all working together is the only way to get things done
by isolating people(politicians) you only divide and get less output
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Peter, exactly, it was unprofitable to mine for coal, an unpalatable truth.
As in many situations both sides acted badly, its silly pointing fingers.
Gary, any monkey could make money out of the lottery, even some of them on here
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Keith you were a councillor for 25 years, I previously asked you to list your major achievements, come on don't be shy.
Reg was leader of DDC, he might tell us what he did to regenerate Dover.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Peter.
I don't want to get into another political debate over what happened but I think your perspective of the coal industry was/is wrong.
It was not about £per ton = wages and it was not a typical business.
1 open coalmine = whole family being supported with future work for siblings, other manufacturing business's local businesses ,schools, shops, cafes, welfare clubs pubs, medical centre's, bus routes, churches, sports groups, musical groups, choirs and much more. No wages were sent to Cayman Islands (some might have gone to Benidorm on a week's holiday) they all paid their weekly due "Tax" and the rest was spent mainly within those communities.
1 closed coalmine = the loss of all above.
The cost of keeping a viable colliery open was far less costly than shutting one.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
Garyc
Sadly whoever was partly wrong, we saw communities ripped apart, an we see just from a brief insight in your posting above why the battle should not have been fought.
that's not to say either side got it right.
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
There we go, 25 years and no achievements.
Gary, its an emotive subject, all the men on my mum's side were miners, I played football for Snowdown. Your point is well made but its unrealistic to keep a mine operating infinitely
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
David
I don't need to justify all my achievements to you or anyone else
As I wouldn't expect you to in any walks of your life
such as the dover market
those that came into contact know the jobs I did and that's all that needs to be said
now back on topic,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Exactly, back on topic.
How long would you have kept the pits open Keith?
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
David.
"Gary, any monkey could make money out of the lottery, even some of them on here"
Its not the making of the money that I refer to, its where some of the money goes to that would not have been allowed to continue if Richard had taken over.
Dig a little and see why the Wednesday Lottery was started.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 714- Registered: 14 Apr 2011
- Posts: 2,594
Yes, I'm no Branson fan, my point was a Branson type person would have bought the mines if they could be run at a profit.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Gary, the precise question I was answering was 'why didn't someone like Branson buy it?' I deliberately did not touch on the broader social aspects but for what it's worth, I fully appreciate your side of the argument.
As I have said previously, I shall not make up my mind finally until all the information is in the public domain. That means cabinet papers from the period and statements from anyone who is still afraid to speak out for fear of being sued by certain key people who are still alive.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Keith Sansum1- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,942
I expect peter there will be a lot more to come out, if and when we get to the bottom of it all
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
Peter.
We are all waiting for that to happen, hopefully the Orgreave Enquirey will do just that.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Don't hold your breath.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 716- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 4,010
Jet set John Bercow: How
the Speaker's 20-stop global tour helped rack up £100,000 in travel expenses in three years
(including an £84 bill for a limo to drive just ONE MILE)
Details of the Speaker's travel costs since the general in May 2010 have been obtained
under Freedom of Information laws. Total travel and accommodation bill includes £16,000
for journeys in a chauffeur-driven car and flights for him and aides costing £63,000
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
why would the speaker need to travel anywhere?
my understanding is that his entire job is as referee in the commons.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,894
Maybe he has to travel to somewhere exotic and in the sun to see how that country's speaker does his job.
Isn't that the usual excuse for a jolly.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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