‘We’re Still Here’ was the message from the 139th Durham Miners’ Gala held on 12 July as tens of thousands defied the heat and marched in solidarity through the city as temperatures soared into the upper 20 degrees c. The heat and strong sun failed to deter the communities and trade unionists from all over the country who came together to celebrate their past and unite in their fight for a better future. Such a contrast to last year’s Gala when high winds and heavy rain was the order of the day!
After the last of the thousands marching and accompanying brass bands had finally arrived at the Racecourse ground shortly after 1.00pm the assembled crowd was welcomed by the Mayor Cllr. Gary Hutchinson who said: “It’s my honour to welcome you to this, the 139th Miner’s Gala. Words cannot fully express the emotion that I feel today. I’m greatly honoured to have this opportunity to play an active part in this historic event….”
The first panel speaker was Chris Peace from the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign who updated the meeting on recent developments in their long running campaign for an independent public inquiry into the events of 18 June 1984, when the police in full riot gear with truncheons, dogs and charging horses, brutally attacked the many miners gathering at a NUM picket at the Orgreave coking plant in South Yorkshire. She reminded the meeting that for the last 9 years the Labour Party had been committed to hold some kind of inquiry into the events that day. It was also an election manifesto pledge and the Campaign felt closer than ever that at last some kind of inquiry could be announced.
Sharon Graham general secretary of Unite reminded the gathering that Unite members in Birmingham had walked out in January over plans to downgrade roles and cut refuse workers’ pay by up to £8,000 and that they had been on all out strike since March. She said: “Those men and women are taking action not just against their council but also the government backed commissioners who are blocking the deal for these workers…”
Turning to Palestine she said: “What is happening in Gaza is genocide, pure and simple”. And she said the union would support any Unite member who refused to handle goods destined for Israel.
Eddie Dempsey RMT general secretary and Matt Wrack acting general secretary of the teachers’ union NASUWT spoke of future struggles facing their members and reiterated solidarity for the Palestinian people in the Israeli occupied West Bank and in Gaza.
Dr Husam Zomlot, who has served as the Palestinian ambassador to the UK since 2018, received a rapturous reception from the gathering. He was the first Palestinian to address the Gala. He said the population of Palestine would be grateful to see support for their nation in Durham, adding: “The wonderful, wonderful people of the north of England are with them and they will keep marching with them side by side.”
He continued “The British people have turned this country into the top epic-centre of solidarity and support for Palestine….” He also believed that recognition of Palestine had never been closer.
The recently held Unite policy conference had also called for the recognition of the Palestine state.
Final speaker was the independent MP Jeremy Corby who announced that his independent group of MPs would hold a two day inquiry in September into government policies on Gaza and the sale of arms to Israel. This follows the blocking his private members ‘ten minute rule bill’ in the commons which called for a full, independent and public inquiry into the UK government’s collaboration in Israel’s genocidal slaughter, maiming and starvation of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians and its endless war crimes and crimes against humanity (see https://skwawkbox.org/2025/05/22/corbyn-introduces-bill-for-independent-inquiry-into-uks-collaboration-in-gaza-genocide/).
In the lead up to the Gala, newly elected Reform politicians who control Durham county council criticised the Big Meeting organisers for not formally inviting the new council administration to the platform and for inviting the Palestinian ambassador to speak!