There was a ballot though, union delegates voted not to have a national ballot in it. Apparently ballot papers, posters & leaflets had already been printed had the vote been yes for a national ballot. Isn’t this the norm in government as well? Your MP (delegate) votes on various issues, representing you, whether you agree with him/her or not. Scargill went with the legitimate union rules that the delegates decision was honoured. Should he have gone against them? That wouldn’t have been very democratic. So to say that there was no ballot is incorrect.