OTJC Condemns Conservative Party plan for annual dinner at the National Coal Mining Museum
MEDIA RELEASE
6th December 2017
OTJC Condemns Conservative Party plan for annual dinner at the National Coal Mining Museum
The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign (OTJC) were devastated to find out that the Dewsbury, Mirfield, Denby Dale and Kirkburton Conservative Association have booked the National Coal Mining Museum (NCMM) for their annual dinner on 10th March 2018 with the Tory Deputy Whip, Esther McVey, as Guest Speaker.
We are encouraging supporters, organisations and politicians to contact the NCMM to urge them not allow this booking to go ahead and have had a magnificent response to this request so far. March 10th is only days after the anniversary of the proud return to work for the miners, families and communities after the 12 month strike of 1984-85. We feel this choice of venue is provocative and insensitive. It is insulting that that the Conservative party plan to hold a celebratory meal in a museum dedicated to an industry that the Conservative party systematically destroyed. The NCMM is an amazing and valuable asset. It is important that the NCMM acknowledges the proud heritage and social history of our mining past and in doing so does not risk its reputation by allowing this Conservative dinner to go ahead.
OTJC Chair, Joe Rollin said “This booking is a blatant act of hard hearted disrespect for Miners and our communities. We hope that the NCMM will respond positively to the many requests to cancel this booking and make a principled decision to not allow this Tory dinner to go ahead at this venue”
Ex Miner, Craig Mansell said “I initially thought this was some kind of cruel spoof until the dawning reality of this hit me. The Conservative Association have shown absolute disdain for the Miners, our industry and our social history”
The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign, National Union of Mineworkers and the Durham Miners Association have already contacted the NCMM. The NCMM have now issued a statement to say that this dinner will go ahead. If the NCMM do not change their position on this booking and the dinner goes ahead we will have no option but to organise a picket / demonstration at the event to show our opposition.
Notes to Editors:
Letters from National Union of Mineworkers and Durham Miners Association:
https://otjc.org.uk/national-union-of-mineworkers-letter-to-national-coal-mining-museum/
https://otjc.org.uk/durham-miners-response-to-the-tory-annual-dinner-provocation/
Contact details for NCMM:
National Coal Mining Museum for England
Caphouse Colliery
New Road
Overton
Wakefield
WF4 4RH
Tel: 01924 848 806
Email: info@ncm.org.uk
Twitter: @NCMME
ENDS
For further information and to arrange interviews contact:
Joe Rollin – Email: Joe.Rollin@unitetheunion.org
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