News / International
British coal miners celebrate Margaret Thatcher's death
08 Apr 2013 at 14:12hrs | Views
London - Former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher's death was on Monday greeted as a "great day" by coal miners.
Thatcher became a hated figure among northern mining communities in the 1980s after she clashed with the unions, refusing to give in to their demands.
"For the union this could not come soon enough and I'm pleased that I have outlived her," said David Hopper, general secretary of the Durham Miners' Association, who turned 70 on Monday.
"It looks like one of the best birthdays I have ever had."
Miners have suggested that they may hold a demonstration at her funeral.
"She absolutely hated working people and I have got very bitter memories of what she did," he added.
"She turned all the nation against us and the violence that was meted out on us was terrible."
Thatcher became a hated figure among northern mining communities in the 1980s after she clashed with the unions, refusing to give in to their demands.
"For the union this could not come soon enough and I'm pleased that I have outlived her," said David Hopper, general secretary of the Durham Miners' Association, who turned 70 on Monday.
Miners have suggested that they may hold a demonstration at her funeral.
"She absolutely hated working people and I have got very bitter memories of what she did," he added.
"She turned all the nation against us and the violence that was meted out on us was terrible."
Source - Sapa
