Overview
- The 140th Durham Miners' Gala is taking place on Saturday with organisers promoting the slogan 'The past we inherit, the future we build' as the event's unity theme.
- More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the Big Meeting where banner processions begin from 8.30am, the platform opens at 1pm and a Miners' Festival service is scheduled at Durham Cathedral at 3pm.
- Organisers confirmed the platform speakers ahead of the event, including Unison general secretary Andrea Egan, Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas, MP Andy McDonald, industriAll Europe head Judith Kirton-Darling, LGSM founder Mike Jackson, and Durham Miners' Association secretary Alan Mardghum.
- TUC general secretary Paul Nowak used the Gala to link union campaigning to recent policy wins, citing the Employment Rights Act and its measures such as day-one sick pay and curbs on fire-and-rehire.
- Unions' decision to fund Durham Pride after the county council refused public funding is reflected on the platform and underlines continuing labour ties with LGBT and community groups, a legacy traced back to LGSM's solidarity with miners in the 1980s.