We should push MPs
Over the years several attempts have been made to set up a regional parliament of some kind for the North West so that the interests of our region can be properly co-ordinated and presented.
Despite widespread disquiet about London taking the lion's share in public expenditure and national policies being tailored to suit London's interests, these attempts failed.
However, the House of Commons recently set up a select committee to consider the needs of our region. Geraldine Smith, MP for Morecambe and Lonsdale, is a member.
If it does it work well and if local interests - chambers of commerce, trade unions, voluntary groups, local councils and individuals also do their work well - this could be of immense benefit to the region.
But the Conservatives and the LibDems have refused to nominate members to it.
Do they not care about our region's future?
Andrew Pearce, address supplied
Scargill right to fight Thatcher
I have to challenge the lack of trade union knowledge and the events leading up to the year-long miners' strike of 1984, portrayed in the recent anonymous letter "Scargill responsible for collapse of coal".
Arthur Scargill only ever led one national dispute, namely that of 1984, not as the previous writer states "strike after strike aimed at unseating the Government".
In fact since the General Strike of 1926, which the writer, as a former shop steward, should be all too aware of, the mineworkers only ever embarked on two national disputes in more than 60 years - hardly the stuff of revolution. Both these disputes in 1972 and 1974 were led by a supposed moderate, Joe Gormley.
As for ditching Scargill as the writer suggested, he consistently warned the British people of the Thatcher government's secret agenda to destroy the coal industry, paving the way for privatisation and the obscene profit driven energy policy we endure today.
There never was any intention of preserving a viable coal industry in Britain as the Nottingham miners who ignored the strike, thinking their pits would be safe, found to their cost.
Whatever anyone thinks about Arthur Scargill, he told the truth.
J Leigh, full address supplied
Learn about these football heroes
April 12 marks the centenary of the greatest football story ever told.
Back in 1909 a team of miners from West Auckland in County Durham were invited by the Glasgow-born tea magnate Sir Thomas Lipton to participate in the inaugural world cup in Turin, Italy.
The lads (and their wives, families and friends) had to pawn their possessions to get to Italy, not knowing whether they had a job to return to.
"West" beat saw off the Swiss champs FC Winterthur 2-0 in the final. They returned in 1911 to defend their title, when they beat Juventus 6-1 to keep the cup forever.
Unfortunately it was stolen in 1994 and an exact replica stands in West Auckland Workingmen's Club.
Football fans come from all over the world to pay respect to the achievement of these heroic footballers.
Our play Alf Ramsey Knew My Grandfather is premiering at the Gala theatre, Durham, from April 16 to 25, and will pay tribute to the lads from West Auckland 1909.
It may be too far for readers to travel, but they could Google "Alf Ramsey Knew My Grandfather" to read about this wonderful tale of sacrifice and heroism.
Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood, playwrights, via email
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Wigan
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -6 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 3 mph
Wind direction: South
