I WAS a young Conservative and grew up with blue blood in my veins. I joined the local party and served nine years as a county councillor before being chosen as a local candidate for parliament.
I was an ardent supporter of Margaret, although I didn't meet her until April 1983, when there was a candidates' tea party. The reception was at Belvoir castle and the candidates for upcoming elections were there. It was an inspiration and the room was full of energy.
When Margaret was speaking we all stood and listened – here was someone who could do something for us and the party.
I was elected the following summer with a small majority and spent nine years working and representing the mining community of Notts. I did 51 visits to mines during my years.
There's a lot being said at the moment, every second person is a striking miner making allegations against the government. But this was an undemocratic strike and Nottingham miners continued to work.
The miners said no, we will work unless we get a ballot. That's the truth of the matter, the miners didn't do anything illegal, in fact they stuck to the union rules.
As part of my job as the local member of parliament – I had eleven pits at the time in my constituency – on a Monday morning I would go to the meeting points where the miners worked and walked with them to the pit. You were sworn at and called scabs by local striking miners. I was there showing solidarity with democratic working miners.
After bringing up the issue of the safety of the working miners in my area in parliament, Mrs Thatcher spoke to me personally about what was going on and she gave me a letter to pass to the miners. She said on the behalf of the nation she would like to thank them for upholding democratic principles and working.
In our area, the vast majority of people supported the working miners and the principle of democracy.
