The Tories introduced the 50% strike ballot threshold to make industrial action harder. MATT WRACK argues that a Labour government has no justification for leaving it on the statute book
ON THE day we celebrate the 136th Durham Miners’ Gala, we are mindful that last month we commemorated the 36th anniversary of the police riot at the Orgreave coking plant during the 1984-5 miners’ strike.
With the ongoing support and solidarity from the Durham Miners’ Association (DMA), National Union of Mineworkers and the wider trade-union and labour movement, the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign (OTJC) sustains its work and activities and continues to campaign for truth and justice.
We were honoured that DMA president/secretary Alan Mardghum contributed to our online “virtual” Orgreave rally in June, along with many other eminent speakers and campaigners representing ex-miners, health workers, Hillsborough Justice, blacklisting, Justice4Grenfell, the Shrewsbury 24, Justice for Christopher Alder and JENGbA (Joint Enterprise: Not Guilty by Association).
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
The public inquiry is the result of more than a decade of determined campaigning. Now, those who fought for justice want the full story of government involvement and police conduct to be told, says KATE FLANNERY
The Durham Miners’ Gala is a celebration of working-class culture, but also a call to action — to rebuild workers’ collective strength, says KIM JOHNSON MP
Durham Miners’ Association general secretary ALAN MARDGHUM speaks to Ben Chacko about the PM-in-waiting, the threat of Reform and the radical change of direction this country needs


