I do not think there could have been any way to make the industry profitable on the open market. Subsidies from surrounding governments were much higher for the

I do not think there could have been any way to make the industry profitable on the open market. Subsidies from surrounding governments were much higher for their domestic coal than the UK was willing to pay for theirs. Cheaper easily mined coal imports from Australia, Russia, South Africa along with North Sea oil & gas flooded alternatives on to the market. The fact that the assets were privatized and sold off later, yet the UK coal industry remained mainly dead along with the "green movement" probably shows that the industry could not have survived on it's own without the subsidies. Some view Thatcher destroyed the industry not only because it was unprofitable but also as an attack against the unions, supposedly going so far as to shutdown even profitable mines or those that had potential. Putting 180,000+ out of work is going to cause some outrage from those you are putting out of work & the surrounding communities that relied on those wages. Also some may view domestic energy production as a valuable asset to retain even if it is not market viable just due to energy security/independence concerns. As far as the bank comparison, I think some people have a kinder view towards the plight of a coal miner working in dangerous conditions for not a lot of pay vs the plight of an executive banker raking in massive bonuses while tanking the economy.