Sir, – I am writing about the comments made by David Hopper the so called Durham Miners’ Association leader on the television news on Monday, April 8, about the death of Margaret Thatcher and that a party was to be held to celebrate.

He also said that it was Mrs Thatcher who caused the downfall of thisarea.This isabsolute rubbish:industrial action brought about the demise of several industries.

These comments were in very poor taste,totallyarrogantanddisrespectful to the Thatcher family.

When the miners were on strike I was employed by a local authority and had to suffer cuts to bonuses and overtime due to government cutbacks, and also earning nowhere near what they were demanding.

At the same time as the miners’ strike there was also industrial action at British Leyland – their spokesperson I believe was “Red Robbo”.

I still think that the big pay demands back then have led to a lot of the problems we have now. The unions then were ruling the roost as far as company management was concerned.

Oh and as a point of interest I do not support the Conservative party As to the state ofthe mining industry and British Leyland now?

Well, I rest my case C P ATKINSON Great Ayton.