Government and miners
Sir: This Government was wrong in the first place to set up a Prices and Incomes policy which they could (or would) only half activate properly: naturally, the incomes half. Since it was put into (semi-operation there have been several thousands of prices
increases; and the Prices Commission has been a collector's specimen of futility. On the other hand it is obvious that the miners, via their union, are exploiting the situation beyond their reasonable livelihood necessity at present, and thus there is a distinct smell of political subversion about their aims and claims. Therefore, this particular citizen is compelled to side with the Government as such. At the same time he utterly detests its present administration. And is of the opinion that even if the miners give way it must not be hailed in any way as a victory for the Government but ever as one of the most disgusting episodes in political history. And since this Government has other, most squalid achievements to its discredit (such as the Common Market mess-up, the abolition of capital punishment, the proliferation of wanton abortion, the breakdown in educational law and order, the vicious exploitation of the currency change, the general coarsening of the social scene) once it has escaped its trouble with the miners it should go immediately to the country for a fresh mandate — with the emphasis on fresh. But I think the country would be wiser to deny it one. At any rate there should be one solid cry throughout the campaign: Heath must go.
Thomas W. Gadd Alexandra Court, Woodborough Road, Nottingham
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