Villagers in a Doncaster mining community told to “forget” the Miners’ Strike by a former Conservative MP bidding to become the city’s mayor say they are still suffering the impacts of the dispute 40 years on – and will never forgive and forget.

Former Doncaster Conservative MP Nick Fletcher sparked outrage when he suggested people in the city needed to “move on” from the year-long industrial dispute which pitted Margaret Thatcher’s Government against Arthur Scargill’s National Union of Mineworkers and to stop hating the late Tory Prime Minister.

He said: "I know its difficult and there were lots of bad things happen but it’s time to forgive and forget.”

His comments have been roundly condemned by residents, politicians and even his own supporters, with one telling him: “I will never vote for you again.”

Conisbrough and Denaby are still feeling the impact of the Miners' Strike 40 years on - and will never forgive or forget they say, after Tory mayor hopeful said Doncaster needs to forget the 1984-85 industrial dispute.

placeholder image — Conisbrough and Denaby are still feeling the impact of the Miners' Strike 40 years on - and will never forgive or forget they say, after Tory mayor hopeful said Doncaster needs to forget the 1984-85 industrial dispute.

Now he has been blasted by Conisbrough, Denaby, Old Denaby and Clifton Branch Labour Party over his remarks.

The year long dispute ended in 1985 – after then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative Government defeated the NUM, led by Arthur Scargill.

A spokesperson said: “After March 3 1985 and the miners’ defeat it paved the way for the quickening of privatisation, deregulation, de-unionisation of our workers and the reduction of state which has led to the position we are in today.

“Everything, yes everything, laid before us since then has been gifted to us from that defeat back in ‘85 and the breaking up, destruction of our mines and communities.

"Here in Conisbrough and Denaby, the effect of that 12 months still resonate.

“The Tory mayor candidate hopes we will forget.

"He hopes the passing of time, almost a full 40 years, will dull our memories when our villages were under siege and subject to police state brutality in defence of Thatcher and her dream of an absolute free market, free for all Britain.

“He hopes that miners now departed and those still living with ailing memories will forget the impact of that year long struggle, their experiences will be forgotten.

“We will never forgive or ever forget.”

Doncaster Central Labour MP Sally Jameson has also said the city’s mining heritage should not be forgotten after Mr Fletcher doubled down on his comments.

She said: “We have a strong mining heritage in Doncaster that must not be forgotten and I'm proud to represent former mineworkers and their families."

Former Don Valley MP Mr Fletcher was blasted for saying mining communities need to “forgive and forget,” move on from the bitter 1984-85 dispute and stop hating former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

He has also been rebuked by mining officials for “politicising” a memorial to the strike, which they say is a “sacred space” and “a place of remembrance.”

Standing alongside an National Union of Mineworkers’ memorial in Hatfield, Mr Fletcher, bidding to unseat Labour mayor Ros Jones at the May mayoral election, said people need to consign the events of the bitter year-long struggle between Mrs Thatcher’s Conservative Government and Arthur Scargill’s NUM to the history books.

He said: “It is time to forgive and forget.

“I understand. I was living in Armthorpe during 84-85.

“I remember families being torn apart, I remember families really struggling.

"I know its difficult and there were lots of bad things happen but it’s time to forgive and forget.”

One told him: “I voted for you but you will never get my vote again. Thatcher killed this country and I was on holiday when she died - we had a great party to celebrate.”

Another said: "Bringing this to the front of people’s eyes before the elections could be a bad move on your behalf.

“In my opinion Yorkshire people and the families this affected will never forgive and most definitely won’t forget.

“She tore communities and families apart with what she did. I may be wrong but I don't think this is going to earn you any brownie points.”

Another told him: “You are asking miners to forget the worse time of their mining lives – it’s never gunna happen. You need to realise what your asking people to do.”

“You are so far removed from the rest of us, it’s unbeliveable,” another told him. “I doubt very much that you know or understand the poverty these pit villages face.

“I doubt that you’ve ever had to work a 40 hour week and then needed to visit a food bank just to make sure your children can eat and I doubt you’ve struggled to put clothes on your children’s back.”

And another wrote: “Nick, I’m pleading with you now for the sake of your own pride, surely you’re not at stupid as you make out to be on Facebook?”

But when challenged, Mr Fletcher simply doubled down on his views and said: “It is time to forgive and forget. We need to move on.”

A spokesman for Hatfield Main Colliery Community Trust attacked Mr Fletcher over filming a video at the memorial in Hatfield and said: “It is deeply concerning when a space meant for reflection and remembrance, such as our miners’ memorial, becomes a platform for political messaging.

"This memorial stands as a testament to the courage, sacrifices, and enduring legacy of the men and women who dedicated their lives to one of the most demanding and dangerous industries.

"It belongs to the families, the community, and the memory of those we have lost—not to political agendas.

“The stories behind this memorial are personal and often painful. They reflect the resilience and strength of our mining communities and the hard-fought battles for safety, rights, and dignity. These narratives transcend political divides, bringing people together rather than driving them apart.

“Politicising such a sacred space diminishes its role as a place of healing and remembrance. It risks alienating those who come here to honour their loved ones and reflect on the history that has shaped our community.

“We respectfully urge all public figures, including politicians, to honor the sanctity of this space by refraining from using it for political statements. Let it remain a unifying symbol – a place where we come together as a community, united by shared history, respect, and remembrance.

“Our miners gave everything for their families and communities. We owe it to them to preserve their memorial as a space of dignity, free from political point scoring.”

It is not the first time Mr Fletcher has come under fire from the mining community.

In 2023, he was forced to back down after claiming a village mining memorial was down to the Conservatives.

The Don Valley MP posed for a selfie in front of the half winding wheel monument in Dunscroft and thanked a Conservative parish councillor for ‘making the concept happen.’

But furious locals turned on the MP for ‘making it political’ and telling him that the scheme had been a community project and not just down to one person.