Sir Keir Starmer has praised his deputy, Angela Rayner, as a “titan” ahead of the Durham Miners’ Gala, which returns on Saturday after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The Labour leader will not attend due to a prior family engagement, but Rayner is expected to be present at the event, which organisers predict will be the largest in decades.
More than 200,000 people are expected to gather in Durham for the gala, which has been held since 1871 and is one of the world’s biggest celebrations of working-class culture. Stephen Guy, chair of the Durham Miners’ Association, said there is “anger” over the cost of living crisis and that the event will send a “loud and clear message” to the government demanding a fair deal for key workers.
This year’s gala is dedicated to key workers, with speeches from union leaders including RMT’s Mick Lynch, as well as a nurse and a postal worker. No politicians were invited to speak, but Guy stressed this was not a snub, but rather a focus on recognising key workers after the pandemic. The gala will also feature a cultural exchange with London’s Mangrove Steelband.
The last deep mine in County Durham closed in 1993, but the gala continues as a politically charged event. Organisers expect the atmosphere to resemble the 1946 gala, which saw huge crowds after a six-year break. Rohan Kon, a key speaker, said “the tide is turning” and that the gala is about sending a message to bosses that workers will fight for their lives.
