What began as a regional alliance now courts Australia, Japan and South Korea while preparing three-front warfare — but this overreach accelerates Nato’s own crisis as member states surrender sovereignty to the US, argues SEVIM DAGDELEN
Latest editorial
Jarrow holds its annual Rebel Town Festival
MOLLIE BROWN reports on this year’s festival in honour of the ‘seven men of Jarrow’ deported to Australia for union activity 193 years ago
The band at the Rebel Town Festival in Jarrow 2025
While Hardie, MacDonald and Wilson faced down war pressure from their own Establishment, today’s leadership appears to have forgotten that opposing imperial adventures has historically defined Labour’s moral authority, writes KEITH FLETT
TUC Midlands marks 20 years of celebrating the 1910 chainmakers’ victory with a festival that connects historical lessons to modern struggles — because working-class history should inspire action, not just nostalgia, writes STUART RICHARDS
I found myself alone as the sole reporter at Britain’s largest union conference, leaving stories of modern-day slavery and sexual exploitation going unreported: our socialist journalism is just as vital as the union work we cover, writes ROGER McKENZIE
Cristina Kirchner’s imprisonment follows a familiar pattern across Latin America, where courts silence popular leaders — but massive street protests in her support might make this move an Establishment own goal, writes BERT SCHOUWENBURG
SATURDAY June 21 saw the ninth annual Rebel Town Festival in Jarrow. Inspired by the work of “Red” Ellen Wilkinson, the event commemorates the pioneers of the trade union movement, those miners who formed the first mining union, Hepburn’s Union.
Seven of these miners, “the seven men of Jarrow,” were transported to Australia in 1832 on charges no doubt motivated by the men’s trade union activity. This year was even more special, marking as it did the 200th anniversary of the formation of the United Colliers of Northumberland and Durham.
After a speech of welcome from Durham Miners’ Association (DMA) general secretary Alan Mardghum as every year, the event commenced with a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial to William Jobling, the last man gibbeted in England, convicted of the murder of a magistrate who had tried the cases of the seven men.
David Douglass, who has authored a comprehensive and compelling book celebrating the 200th anniversary, gave a brief talk, setting out some of the historic background to the festival.
Led by Chris Ormston, a fine Northumberland piper, the march met with the Felling Silver Band close to the location of the shaft of the last Jarrow pit, where local schoolgirl Abbie read a moving address, paying tribute to the children who lost their lives in local collieries before a moving rendition of Gresford by the band.
Upon reaching the rally, the crowd was addressed by train drivers’ union Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan, Jarrow and Gateshead East MP Kate Osborne, Heather Wood of National Women’s Action for Positive Change and Kyle Griffiths of the Unite union and secretary of the newly formed Jarrow Banner Group.
Plans are already taking shape for next year’s event, which will mark the 10th anniversary of this great community festival celebrating trade union history and values.
Mardghum spoke about the importance of uniting against the rise of Reform UK: “It is imperative that we, as socialists and trade unionists, stand united in our opposition against those who seek to divide us.”
In response to the public criticism the DMA have faced for not inviting the newly elected Reform councillors to the Gala, the DMA said in a statement: “In July we will host the 139th Durham Miners Gala, and we are looking forward to greeting old friends and new from across the county and far beyond.
“Reform UK, who in the May elections won control of Durham County Council — benefiting from protest votes and a very low (34.8 per cent) turnout — have chosen to criticise us publicly for not inviting them to the Gala. They obviously don’t understand how this works, so we will explain.
“Everyone in Durham is welcome at the Gala. But we invite onto the platform, and as guests at the DMA’s social events, some of our many friends who share our beliefs in community, in the labour movement and in social justice. The Reform UK councillors do not.”
To read the statement in full, visit the DMA Facebook page @DurhamMiners.
More from this author
Those in need deserve straight cash to feed their kids, without judgement and without strings attached, says MOLLIE BROWN
MOLLIE BROWN writes that many student have been left in limbo, often unable to graduate, work or return home — with mature and working-class students disproportionately affected
Support during this period of enforced worklessness is full of holes — and the labour movement needs to move fast to stop people falling through, writes MOLLIE BROWN
Those who are already struggling under a cruel benefits system must have urgent protections put in place, writes MOLLIE BROWN
