Letter: Applause all the way for miners

Sir: Your leading article 'With friends like these . . .' (21 October) argues that the Labour Party played only a marginal role in persuading the Government to delay closure of 21 out of the 31 original mines. But it was Labour's decision to use its Opposition Day to debate and vote on the closures that compelled the Government to make its U-turn. The prospect of parliamentary defeat was the decisive factor in changing the Government's mind.

Yours sincerely,

GILES RADICE

MP for North Durham (Lab)

House of Commons

London, SW1