An excerpt from the BBC's Play for Today (directed by Ken Loach) based on Barry Hines' book about a royal visit to a Yorkshire colliery. Trade unionist and republican Sid Storey argues his case against the visit with a acquiescent trade union official. Filmed in the seventies against a backdrop of supposed economic decline and austerity Sid points out the contradiction between the advice of politicians for the population to "tighten their belts" and the extravagance and expense of a short visit by the Prince of Wales to the pit. Angry at the complacency and sycophancy of the pit's management Sid's impassioned, articulate monologue could easily apply today, on the eve of the Royal Wedding. Vive la Republique!

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