Lyric discussion by Dr Strangelove 

Cover art for 1985 lyrics by Manic Street Preachers

They formed a bit later than 1985. More like 1988. I think Ants is right with the Miners strike link. The civil war that failed?. There is also mention of Torville and Dean, who won Olympic gold in 1984. Not sure what they're trying to say with that but I'm guessing it's a contrast between the two events of the same year.