While slashing welfare and public services, Labour’s spring statement delivers a bonanza for death-dealing bomb merchants. We now see the true and terrible face of austerity 2.0, writes MICHAEL BURKE
‘By God, we need Labour to deliver’: ALAN MARDGHUM speaks to the Morning Star on Gala day
The Durham Miners' Association leader speaks to Ben Chacko about the election result and the far-right menace that can only be defeated by fixing broken Britain

DURHAM will celebrate its first Miners’ Gala for many years under a Labour government — but Alan Mardghum says the feeling post-election is one of relief rather than excitement.
“People have been absolutely desperate to get rid of the Tories. There will be more hope on the field,” the Durham Miners’ Association general secretary says. But a lot is riding on the new prime minister and government.
“Labour has got one chance to make life better. By God we need them to deliver, or I fear we will end up with an extremely right-wing Conservative government or, worse if that’s possible, a government influenced by Reform UK.
More from this author

Ben Chacko asks NIZAR TRABULSI of the now banned Syrian Communist Party (Unified) to explain the country's turbulent, and violent, post-Assad scene

From renewable tech to alternatives to the dollar, BEN CHACKO was encouraged by an optimistic meeting held by the China Media Group this week

Aslef general secretary MICK WHELAN speaks to Ben Chacko about rail renationalisation, the Employment Rights Bill and why we shouldn’t write off this Labour government
Similar stories

National Education Union general secretary DANIEL KEBEDE talks to Ben Chacko about the crisis in education, the need for fair pay and how to see off the threat of Farage

Durham Miners' Association president STEPHEN GUY speaks to Ben Chacko about the miners’ strikes consequences today, his hopes for the new Labour government — and the sorry saga of Luke Akehurst

Durham Miners Association leader ALAN MARDGHUM talks to Ben Chacko about the continued relevance of trade unions, the lacklustre general election campaign, whether we can believe opinion polls and the ‘reprehensible’ North Durham candidate, Luke Akehurst