12th June 1984. Wales TUC day of action for the miners. Tony Benn at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Tony Benn Diary 12th June 1984

Went by train to Cardiff for the Wales TUC day of action in support of the miners.

I caught the train back with Rodney Bickerstaffe who is anxious that Neil Kinnock should succeed. I think he has an affinity with him because they are about the same age. People feel the older politicians have failed- the Healys and the Benns-and I understand that feeling although we had to take the party through a different phase of its development.

Benn spoke at a rally at Sophia Gardens in central Cardiff and the miners received support of others including health workers. His diary entry is interesting as a reflection of the discussions that such occasions can facilitate ‘behind the scenes’