As part of Europe we had to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions and in many areas our coal has high levels of sulphur. Remember acid rain?
Choice between expensive mining followed by expensive processing or cheap imports. Writing was on the wall.
Mick and Arthur were power crazed idiots and Thatcher was giving no compromise.
I hated Mrs T back then but hindsight has put me on her side.
British cars, steel and coal were doomed, brain dead on government subsidy. All Thatcher did was switch off the life support.
Labour, buying votes in the 70s, buying votes now.