“The past we inherit, the future we build”

July 9, 2023

“The past we inherit, the future we build.” That’s the motto of the National Union of Mineworkers.  A century ago more than a million coal miners worked in the UK. Now, fewer than one thousand.

So why does the Durham Miners’ Gala take place at all? Let alone attract over 200,000 people, the biggest trade union event in Europe?

The Gala is the community speaking to its traditions. Remembering ‘united we stand, divided we fall.’  Literally in the case of miners who relied on the men by their side in the darkness.  Figuratively for our region’s people struggling with today’s cost-of-living crisis.

The last colliery in Durham closed in 1994, but the miners who worked there, and their children, are still alive. The Durham Miners Association organises the Gala; President Stephen Guy and Secretary Alan Mardghum are both former miners.

I marched with teachers’ union NASUWT through Durham, along with their General Secretary Pat Roach, and MPs Angela Rayner and Sam Tarry.  I say marched.  More like standing in the sun, listening to the brass bands, then walking another fifty steps.  Inevitably there’s political chat and a catch-up – talking to Pat about our work with teachers and our poverty prevention programme in schools.  Like most key workers, this Government has treated teachers appallingly.

I’d spoken the night before to a rally on trade union freedom – the ever more oppressive anti-union laws are a breach of the UN declaration of human rights.  I also spoke to the Socialist Health Association – the way our NHS is being privatised is nothing short of scandalous.

But back to the Gala.  57 brass bands marched, and around 90 banners. It’s encouraging how many young people played in the bands – the future of the Gala looks strong.

Indeed the trade union movement looks stronger than it has for years.  Membership is rising as people unite in defence against a cost of living crisis and a Government smash and grab raid on our rights to protest.  It’s hard to think of a sector of workers who haven’t had to take industrial action in the past year alone.  The newest is the decision to close ticket offices, potentially putting hundreds of RMT members out of work when they’re needed to help the elderly and disabled use our rail system.

I was kindly invited by the Durham Miners onto the famous balcony of the County Hotel.  Waving at the crowds and dancing along with the bands below.  I did my best go at YMCA.  It’s unlikely that Clement Attlee did when he stood on that spot, or Harold Wilson or Jim Callaghan. Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn might have though.

But not Sir Keir Starmer, sadly.  It’s disappointing that the leader of the Labour Party declined his invitation to attend.  This was mentioned by the chair during the main speeches. Hearing the leader of the Labour Party being booed when his name was mentioned is worrying.

Just 6% of the public trust our political system, according to a recent IPPR report.  Just 6%.  Almost everyone outside the Westminster bubble thinks politics is broken.  Partygate.  Pinchergate.  Promises.  Pledges.

When universal gratitude to key workers during lockdown is replaced by universal disdain by a political elite. When pay rises for the many are seen as unaffordable while pay rises for the few are just good business.

When people feel no one speaks for them, it creates a vacuum in politics.  History tells us this vacuum gets filled by the far-right.  We must not let that happen.  Speaker after speaker echoed that point – we need a government with a plan for fixing Britain.  Who put working people ahead of corporate donors.

So here’s my plan.

Full employment – a good job for everyone who wants one. With fair wages and trade union standard terms and conditions.

A Total Transport Network – where everyone can get where they need to go cheaply, safely and reliably by bus, Metro and rail.

A Green New Deal to create new jobs and climate emergency. Moving from our high-carbon coal past into a low-carbon renewable future.

Above all, it means deciding our future here in the North East, not in Westminster or Party HQs in London.