KEIR Starmer will not be addressing the 137th Durham Miners’ Gala on Saturday, July 8th.
But as The National went to press, it wasn’t clear whether the UK Labour leader had not been invited or had turned down the chance to address thousands of trade unionists and left-wing activists at the historic Big Meeting which will be attended by around 200,000 people.
In a statement issued by the Durham Miners’ Association (DMA) last night, the organisers pointedly announced that this year’s event is being dedicated to trade unionists taking industrial action to combat stagnant wages and the cost of living crisis.
It said that every platform speaker – including TUC general secretary Paul Nowak, Labour MP Zarah Sultana and trade union leaders Fran Heathcote and Sarah Woolley – have all supported striking workers and communities organising in response to economic challenges.
Whether or not the DMA’s stance ruled out a visit by the would-be PM will be a hot topic among Gala attendees next month, especially as the Labour leader has taken a hardline position against Parliamentary colleagues joining striking workers on picket lines.
The DMA statement made no reference to Starmer, who did not attend last year’s Gala citing a previously arranged engagement, and the event was not held in 2020 or 2021 due to the pandemic.
However, every Labour leader from Keir Hardie onwards has been invited to address the Gala, though Tony Blair famously never attended during his tenure as leader and prime minister despite being MP for the nearby former mining constituency of Sedgefield, while Gordon Brown also declined all invitations.
Big Meeting crowds have been known to heckle unpopular speakers from the right of the party.
DMA chair Stephen Guy said in the statement issued to Friends of the Gala: “All our speakers this year support those taking action in their workplaces and communities to combat the policies of this cruel and incompetent government.
“We urge everyone to rise up and join a union and join the fight for a better society for all.”
Among the visitors travelling to Durham from Scotland in three weeks will be Scottish Socialist Party national co-spokesperson Colin Fox, who will be attending the Big Meeting for the first time.
The former MSP commented on Twitter: “I’ve never been, but I promised myself for many years that I’d go. So I fully intend to make the trip this year. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Also planning to head south on July 8 is pro-indy former Labour MP, minister and MEP Les Huckfield who now lives in Perthshire.
The veteran socialist said: “If I can be there, I will be there. The Gala is a very important trade union, working-class and cultural event.
“We mustn’t forget where we came from.”
For further information about the gala, visit the website at www.friendsofdurhamminersgala.org
