Saturday 12th July 2014 saw the return of “The Big Meeting” to the streets of Durham for the Miners’ Gala. Record numbers turned out in the year of the 30th anniversary of the Great Miners’ Strike. We publish here two reports of the Gala from Socialist Appeal supporters in attendance.
Saturday 12th July 2014 saw the return of “The Big Meeting” to the streets of Durham for the Miners’ Gala. Record numbers turned out in the year of the 30th anniversary of the Great Miners’ Strike. We publish here two reports of the Gala from Socialist Appeal supporters in attendance.
Durham Miners Gala is a fantastic tradition of the British labour movement, and 2014 proved to be no exception to this. The streets of Durham were flowing with people, all congregating for the 130th Big Meeting. This year saw the biggest turn out in many years, partly due to the fantastic weather, but also as a reflection of the increasing discontent pervasive in society.
The mood was one of optimism, and the desire for an alternative to austerity. This was reflected in the increasingly positive reception for Socialist Appeal supporters and our ideas, with more comrades present, and more papers sold than ever before. The racecourse was absolutely packed with spectators, waiting to hear from various speakers, such as Paul Kenny of GMB and Christine Blower of the NUT.
Easily the highlight of the speakers was Dennis Skinner, who roused the entire field. What was lacking from all the speakers, however, was a comprehensive grasp of the nature of the crisis that capitalism is currently living through. The ‘C word’, that being capitalism, was barely mentioned, nor did socialism get mentioned even once by any of the speakers. The general conclusion that the speakers formed was that all that is needed is a change of ideology in order to reverse the tide of austerity. Dennis Skinner claimed that a similar programme to the 1945 Labour government could be adopted simply through the means of borrowing. As Marxists, we recognise that this is a pipe-dream; where is this money going to come from?
The time for reforms is well over; the current perspective under capitalism is one of decades of austerity and cuts in order to maintain this senile economic system. The tasks of Marxists is to patiently explain this, and the solution to this crisis – that is, the overthrow of capitalism. This is what Socialist Appeal comrades will continue to do at next year’s Gala and throughout the labour movement.
James Baird
Durham Miners Gala will be familiar to many comrades across the country; however, as having experienced my first ever day at “The Big Meeting” I thought I should pen a few words of my first impressions. I unfortunately missed out on being able to attend the previous year, but heard so many good things about it that I genuinely couldn’t wait to go this year. I’d heard of the banners, the traditions, the colliery bands, which by themselves would be interesting enough, but what I experienced was harder to anticipate.
I felt geared up as the day approached by knowing I’d meet fellow comrades from across the country and be able to spend the day in the sun talking and discussing with others about the Marxist ideas represented in the Socialist Appeal paper. At first I couldn’t believe how many people there were – even at nine o’clock in the morning, and I was told that it wasn’t even the start of the march!
We worked our way up to the market square, already passing a number of different bands playing all manner of songs, and the colourful banners fluttered all the way up the hill. At the Market Square I was taken aback by the sheer number of people squeezed into a small area, but the friendship and fraternity between each and every one was clear. Even a small-minded, antagonistic yell of support for the EDL was drowned out with a good-humoured blast of a tuba and jeers from the crowd. I spent much of my time speaking to members of various unions and groups and from a number of countries across Europe. I kept spotting other Socialist Appeal supporters too.
As the march moved on down the hill and towards the field I was able to speak to more and people, the friendliness always continuing, and the sharing of ideas and thoughts could have lasted all day. We eventually reached the field after the obligatory stop outside the County where the pace of the march quickened and the crowd of people mixed with spectators and locals. As we reached the field I was surprised to see so many people in one place – I knew there’d be a lot, but I couldn’t visualise it – and it really hit home just how passionate the movement still is and how desperate the fight for socialism goes on; a welcome lift of the spirits following the recent attacks in the media against striking workers.
I was lucky to spend the rest of the afternoon meeting even more comrades and attendees, before listening intently to the speeches from the stage. A particular highlight for me was the speech by Dennis Skinner and I’ll even admit to becoming a little teary-eyed at the most impassioned parts. It worked out to be the perfect end to the perfect day, and I left Durham feeling more motivated than I have ever been before. I urge everyone to attend the next Durham Miners Gala – no-one could fail to be moved by the passion of the people, and one comes away with no doubt that the call for socialism must continue.
Paul Anderson-Glew
