A speaker at the Durham Miners’ Gala has launched a furious tirade against Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, supporting the decision to exclude the party’s local members from its 139th annual event.
The association previously categorically refused to invite leading Reform UK figures – despite the party’s landslide victory in the county’s council election.
Andrew Husband and his deputy Darren Grimes are among the 65 Reform councillors on the local authority, but DMA General Secretary Alan Mardghum has taken a firm stance against their participation.
The DMA said the failure to invite the councillors was because of a range of political differences, adding that those associated with Reform “do not share our beliefs in community in the labour movement and in social justice”.
In response, Reform UK called the DMA “political dinosaurs”.
During Alan Mardghum’s speech at the event, the secretary of the DMA, called out council leader Darren Grimes directly, resulting in boos from the crowd.
He said: “Why would we invite [Reform]? They stand against every principle we stand for.”
Grimes, a former GB News star, posting a video of the speech with the caption: “These Hard Left Cranks running the show are clearly desperate. They threatened me, Darren Grimes, your straight-talking Deputy Leader of Durham County Council, from the main stage – no less!”
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Durham Miners’ Gala speaker launched a tirade against Nigel Farage and Reform UK
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The Gala, which dates back to 1871, has been described as the “biggest working-class demonstration and event in the world”.
Jeremy Corbyn and Palestinian Ambassador Husam Zomlot were among the speakers warmly welcomed by the flag-waving crowd.
During his speech, Corbyn voiced his concern about potential changes to Personal Independence Payments, “which never should have come up”, and also Israel’s war with Hamas.
The former Labour leader later hinted at his much-anticipated new hard-left party, vowing: “Change is coming.”
Jeremy Corbyn met with gathered crowds in the nearly 30-degree heat that hit the UK over the weekend.
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Corbyn said: “We’ve learned from the victories and defeats of the past, but we’ve also learned that principle: [of] communities coming together in solidarity, stand up for change, make that change, end that poverty and that disillusionment. That’s what the DMA is leading on. Well done to the DMA, and thank you so much for what you do.”
Later in the speech, he criticised those who blame “desperate” people for problems in society.
He added: “There are some people in our communities who are ignorant, short-sighted and frankly nasty. They will go into a community, go onto a picket line, go to people who are desperate and poor and hungry and somehow or other blame all that on a convenient minority they can blame.”
The event saw the annual parade of trade union banners, with Palestine and LGBT flags also noticeable.
Alan Mardghum mocked Darren Grimes
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Meanwhile, Zomlot spoke of the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East during his speech.
He said: “By the end of my speech, a Palestinian child will have been killed or maimed. Every sixteen minutes, a Palestinian child is killed or maimed … I cannot believe how morally bereft one would have to be to justify Israel’s genocide.”
Durham Mayor Gary Hutchinson, added: “Words cannot fully express the emotion I feel today. I am greatly honoured to have this opportunity to play an active part in this historic event. I am truly moved to see so many people once again here today.
“As mayor of this wonderful city I welcome you one and all. Whether you live in or around the city or if you have travelled from much further afield – welcome to the land of the black gold: coal.”