Prime Minister Andy Burnham met descendants of the Jarrow Marchers in Downing Street, vowing to "right the wrongs" of 90 years ago. Jarrow MP Kate Osborne and around 60 people from her constituency attended a VIP reception, bringing a replica of the famous petition handed in by the marchers in 1936.
The original marchers left the North East in 1936 calling for a steelworks to replace a closed shipyard. They arrived in London 26 days later after walking almost 300 miles but were snubbed by Tory PM Stanley Baldwin.
Honouring the legacy of the Jarrow March
Mr Burnham said: "I'm glad that we've been able to right this wrong. Their courage and determination have never been forgotten, and it's a real privilege to honour their legacy here at Downing Street."
He added: "Even today, the North East doesn't always get the attention it deserves from Westminster. In this role I am determined to change that."
The march drew attention to the plight of towns such as Jarrow, which was left in abject poverty. Less than a decade later, the postwar Labour government introduced reforms such as the NHS and social security.
A historic day for Jarrow
Ms Osborne described it as a "truly historic day for Jarrow." She said: "I took the descendants of the Jarrow Marchers through the doors of 10 Downing Street to meet Andy Burnham, 90 years after their ancestors made that extraordinary journey to London only to be turned away."
She added: "We even took the original petition box carried by the marchers in 1936, making this an incredibly moving moment for the families and a chance to finally right a historic wrong."
"I am so proud to have made this happen, giving the marchers' descendants the welcome their ancestors deserved and ensuring that Jarrow's remarkable history is recognised at the very heart of Government."
Descendant's family story
Paul Benstead met the Prime Minister, achieving something his great-grandfather Charles tried desperately to do. His great-grandad Charles walked 290 miles from Jarrow for the same privilege but was rebuffed.
Paul recalled: "When the marchers got to Yorkshire, they were given ham sandwiches and some of the men ate the bread and posted the ham home."
"My great-grandad left with a knapsack. They lived off the land. It was a feat of endurance but I know they were shocked by the goodwill of strangers."
"They just knew they had to do something – anything. They wanted to find the dignity that was being taken from them. And he just wanted his job back. As simple as that."
