Durham Pride returned bigger than ever this year, despite losing council funding after Reform UK took control of Durham County Council. The event, which saw rainbow flags matched by trade union banners, was saved by donations from unions including the Durham Miners' Association, Equity, and the TUC.
Reform deputy leader Darren Grimes had said last summer that Pride would not receive 'a single penny' from the council. But Stephen Guy, chair of the Durham Miners' Association, said the union movement stepped up to support the LGBTQ+ community, recalling solidarity shown during the miners' strikes of the 1980s.
Mel Metcalf, founder of Durham Pride, said the event lost about £2,500 in council funding but gained around £25,000 from unions and supporters. 'It's a big thanks to Reform that our headliner is Claire Richards from Steps,' he said.
Unions including the National Union of Mineworkers, Aslef, Unite, the CWU, and NASUWT marched in the parade. Dave Pike of the TUC said the movement raised more money than Reform took away, calling it 'a really great example of solidarity in action'.
Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy joined the parade, saying the trade union and Labour movement had been 'fantastic'. She dismissed Reform councillors as 'silly, silly people who just want divisive politics'.
The LGBTQ+ community will return the solidarity at the 140th Durham Miners' Gala in July. Equity president Lynda Rooke said the unions were sending a message to Reform: 'We see you, we will fight you, and we will succeed.'
