Newby, March 1984.

Michelle and her miner boyfriend Gary are close to her sister Linda and policeman husband Paul. Newby miners vote to strike after the Cortonwood Colliery closure. Gordon warns that prime minister Margaret Thatcher seeks to destroy the unions.

With police activities increasing, Paul earns overtime. The union, however, is not providing strike pay, so Gary struggles financially. After clashes at Orgreave, miners claim premeditated police attacks, while Paul blames trouble-causing activists. More police arrive from other areas. On a night out, Paul and Gary become involved in a fight between miners and off-duty Metropolitan officers. Gary is arrested. The officers welcome Paul.

In a speech witnessed by Michelle, social services worker Martin James condemns the government for bullying tactics. Miners who witnessed the police charging first dispute a BBC news report that miners attacked first. Strike committee delegate Gordon's telephone was bugged. Martin helps Michelle release Gary, and says those who feel the struggle in their hearts are part of it, regardless of background.

Paul and Gary argue about the fight. Michelle and Linda, who sees Michelle's sudden political interest as a fad, argue about the strike. They cease contact.

Despite expecting exemption from policing local strikes, Paul is assigned with the Metropolitan officers.

Michelle joins a picket that stops Mickey returning to work, as Gordon promises to help Mickey's ill wife. The police charge. A snatch squad takes Gordon.

Amid food donated through public support, Gary criticises Col's positivity for masking harsh reality. Michelle becomes involved with Doreen's Newby Women campaign. After a Labour MP's unpopular speech on the rule of Law against miner violence, Michelle gives a speech remembering her father, a strong union man, and calls for the community to fight together.

Thatcher compares miners to the enemy of the Falklands War. Saying police must fight together, Paul socialises with London police, antagonising locals and disheartening Linda.

Linda and Gary begin an affair.

Michelle's activism earns acclaim, but Gary backs away from her. Courts can now seize funds from accounts, so Michelle agrees to hide some donations money. Gary refuses to have it in the house. Michelle hides it at work.

Michelle tells Martin about the money, and how she now understands her father. They kiss but she stops it and leaves. Gary and Linda's affair continues.

Winter. Michelle criticises tactics used against miners and celebrates strikers' achievements. Paul bets on when the miners will return to work. The Coal Board threatens to stop Nico's pension, so Gordon orders him to return, which he does, in tears.

By February many miners are returning. Martin tells Michelle he loves her, but Michelle will not betray Gary. After police visited her workplace to take the money, Michelle is sacked. Gary denies informing police.

In love with Martin, Michelle tells Linda she does not want to live like their mother, complaining rather than seeking happiness by changing her life. Linda feels she is the one like their mother and urges Michelle to take her chance.

Michelle realises Martin informed about the money. Martin wants influence with those who hold real power, not the anti-capitalist groups he believes have exploited miners with false hope or the leaders who failed them. Michelle condemns his betrayal. Gary tells Linda he did not feel the strike like others did, and only feels intensely when with her. She does not feel capable of such feeling.

When Michelle's house is placed under surveillance, Paul witnesses Gary and Linda having sex. He confronts Gary and Michelle. Humiliated that Linda cheated with a miner, he hits her. Linda and daughter Claire leave him. Linda claims Gary was not the issue: the London officers excite Paul in a way she cannot.

Next day: 1 March. Gary thinks the strike was an act of faith for him but belief for Michelle. Wanting his job back, he cannot face workmates. Michelle tells him not to apologise: he has been on strike for a year, plus their enemies wanted this kind of self-destruction. Gary joins a picket that is charged by riot police. Grappling, Paul and Gary are run over. Gary dies.

Margaret Thatcher argues that freedom and industry have been protected against violence and impossible demands.