Unite national officer says, ‘If Burnham doesn’t deliver, then support could end’
Every year tens of thousands of trade unionists gather in Durham in north east England for an afternoon of brass bands, beer and bucket hats—and political speeches.
Alongside trade union banners from the local collieries, a team of dabke dancers led the Palestine bloc. A few people muttered, “It’s got nothing to do with miners” as they passed.
But there was also lots of applause for the display of international solidarity.
This year’s big meeting comes as the so-called “King of the North” Andy Burnham heads towards Downing Street. But many trade unionists at the event said they felt unsure what they thought of him or wanted to wait and see before sharing their thoughts.
“I’m a massive Burnham fan,” FBU union member Ian told Socialist Worker. “I was born in Liverpool and I’m a Liverpool football fan. He has done a lot for Hillsborough and a lot for the north west.”
Ian said, “Keir Starmer has done a lot of good things in two years but the lack of communication has made him very unpopular. I hope Burnham can deliver the message better and he surrounds himself with a better team. He’s a better communicator.”
Ash, a young member of the GMB union and the Labour Party was also hopeful. “Burnham’s one of us,” he told Socialist Worker. “He’s from a working class background, a trade union background.”
Fiona, a health worker in Unison, said she had resigned from Labour. “I don’t think Starmer has done a good job,” she told Socialist Worker. “I want to see what Burnham does.
“He says some things I don’t like. But he came to our health conference and being from up north helps.”
Tracy from the Lothian Health Unison union branch was more critical of Starmer and Burnham. And she doesn’t think it’s just a question of communication style.
“Labour’s problem is they think the way to win elections is to move closer to the centre. But they’ve gone so far to the right that they are indistinguishable from the Tories,” she told Socialist Worker.
“I’m hopeful Burnham will take it back to the left, but the proof will be in the pudding.
“I’ve never voted Labour and won’t unless they move to the left,” she added. “But it’s different in Scotland, we have an alternative with the SNP.”
Ishaq at the Palestine solidarity stall told Socialist Worker, “There’s no difference between Burnham and Starmer the baby starver. He will sell his conscience just like the rest of the Labour Party.
“Labour has collapsed. So have the Tories. People have more options of who to vote for now. Unfortunately, a lot have gone to Reform UK, they have filled a vacuum.”
Simon Coop, the Unite union national officer for the energy and utilities sector, told Socialist Worker that unions should put demands on Burnham. “Burnham has to deliver. Unite gives him conditional support but if he doesn’t deliver, then that support could leave.
“He needs to deliver a better deal for workers, and renationalisation of energy and water, and to do it without delay,” he said.
Last year Reform UK took control of Durham County Council.
The Durham Miners’ Association (DMA) said the far right party isn’t welcome at the gala.
After the council took down the pride flag, trade unionists stepped in and made sure this year’s pride march was bigger than ever.
DMA secretary Alan Mardghum told the crowds, “If Labour doesn’t produce the goods—an improved standard of living for working people—there’s a shadowy figure lurking in the background to take power.”
He said that there are councils across the north east, in Sunderland, Gateshead and Tyneside, where Labour is losing almost all its council seats to Reform UK.
“If we don’t change course, whoever the new leader is, it looks like Burnham and I wish him well in his new job. But Andy, for Christ’s sake, change course. Work for the benefit of working people, not the capitalist class.”
“The next Labour leader has got to stand up and condemn Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people,” he added.
Retired NEU education union member Stuart was handing out stickers at a Stand Up To Racism stall in the marquee. He explained that he grew up in the former mining village of Hetton-le-Hole in Sunderland.
He told Socialist Worker, “My grandad was a miner, my dad was put out of work when the
pits closed when I was eleven years old and he never worked again. They would both be turning in their graves to see these council seats going to Reform UK.
“It’s all because the working class is disadvantaged. We’ve been left behind by the London based Labour Party.”
Many of Burnham’s reforms will be welcomed, but he faces the same economic bind as Starmer
The prison system doesn’t rehabilitate people, it criminalises them
Sign the UCU union's motion
Already the prime minister’s early promises ring hollow
