Skip to main content
The growth of the Gala shows that class politics remains strong
STEPHEN GUY spoke to Morning Star editor Ben Chacko about how, far from being a purely historical commemoration, this year’s Big Meeting is evidence of a growing fightback
DMG

IN ITS 137th year, the Big Meeting remains a lodestar for a reviving workers’ movement, Durham Miners’ Association chair Stephen Guy told the Morning Star at the weekend.

“The theme of the Gala this year is ‘rise up’ — that derives from the last 12 months of industrial struggles we’ve had.

“And if government and employers don’t change their position, I’m afraid we’re going to have another 12 months of this, if not longer.”

Donate to the Fighting Fund
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Burnt cars remain in the middle of a street following the re
Features / 22 March 2025
22 March 2025
Ben Chacko asks NIZAR TRABULSI of the now banned Syrian Communist Party (Unified) to explain the country's turbulent, and violent, post-Assad scene
Delegates chat as they leave the Great Hall of the People af
Features / 22 March 2025
22 March 2025
From renewable tech to alternatives to the dollar, BEN CHACKO was encouraged by an optimistic meeting held by the China Media Group this week
Similar stories
Marchers at the Durham Miners' Gala, July 13, 2024
Durham Miners' Gala / 15 July 2024
15 July 2024
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
Alan Mardghum
Features / 11 July 2024
11 July 2024
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
Alan Mardghum
Features / 29 June 2024
29 June 2024
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