They said the benefits of destroying coal mining in this country would outweigh the negatives
I am from a North East mining village. The NUM strike in 1984/1985 is still talked about now. Many villages are like ghost towns and derelict. Some villages had parties in 2013 when Mrs.Thatcher died and were very happy that the witch was dead. Wow.
Was closing down the mining industry in the UK correct? Yes it was, but like Brexit it was badly implemented. My approach would have been to;
Announce that coal industry will be wound down to forewarn
As people retired don't take on any new starters
If a mine is exhausted then it must be closed
Redundancy packages were generous and many received pensions that were seven eighths of their earnings plus lump sum of around 1,500 per year of service.
Thatcher's decision to kill the miners overnight was more of a political move against trade unions in general along the lines;
"mess with me and this is the result"
Thatcher planned it for years to avenge the defeat of Ted Heath by the NUM in 1974. Power stations were converted to Oil and Gas. Coal was stockpiled, Deals made with transport industry. Police given good pay rises so they would jump when instructed.
It worked too as Strike lasted over a year and electricity supply was not interrupted once. Scargill made a hash of it as national ballot was not called. This made the strike illegal and strike funds were snatched. Also miners who thought their pits and jobs were safe did not want to strike. Another crafty move by Thatcher. Let them weaken themselves by fighting among each other.
Where's the magic money tree to help wrecked industries and communities
Brexit Party has suggested 200 Billion to regenerate the areas that UK has forget since the shift from Manufacturing to Services industry.