Durham Miners’ Association chair STEPHEN GUY speaks to Ben Chacko about the Reform threat, what’s needed from Labour and why the Big Meeting will never lose its politics
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A new government with a New Deal for Workers
The pressure is now on the government to deliver its promises, and that pressure is not just from the unions, but from a working class that will look to the right if things under Labour don’t markedly improve, writes STEVE GILLAN
(left-right) Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosts his first Cabinet meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Defence Secretary John Healey at 10 Downing Street, London, following the landslide General Election victory for the Labour Party, July 6, 2024
![Durham Miners' Gala 2026 [Pic: Neil Terry]](https://morningstaronline.co.uk/sites/default/files/styles/desktop/public/2026-07/SSS_20260711_DURHAM_MINERS_GALA_0-21.jpg.webp?itok=NUVjowji)
Andy Burnham’s message of hope will defeat Reform if Labour delivers the New Deal for Working People in full, says JOANNE THOMAS
General Federation of Trade Unions president and bakers’ union general secretary, SARAH WOOLLEY, guides us through the GFTU’s Summer School happening this week at Quorn Grange Hotel
The government’s latest asylum proposals abandon labour movement values and fuel division by aping Reform UK, writes DIANE ABBOTT MP
Can Andy Burnham’s programme deliver a productive economy – or merely a softer version of capitalism, asks VINCE MILLS
IAN LAVERY MP warns that decades of neoliberal policies have left former industrial communities behind — but a renewed Labour commitment to working people could change the political landscape
ON July 4 2024 a new government was elected and after 14 years of misery and austerity, I welcome the fact that Labour is now in charge and that we have a real opportunity to see policies that were promised prior to the election enacted.
We have reason to be optimistic going forward over the next five years. After all, Labour has a thumping majority, so they can make legislative changes to make the lives of working-class people better with a New Deal for Workers that is wide-ranging.
There is an opportunity to have growth in our economy, with no communities being left behind; Labour needs to be brave and implement those changes.
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