Durham Pride and TUC reaffirm their special relationship amid attacks from Reform UK
– 2 min read
This week, amid attacks from Reform UK, Mel Metcalf from Durham Pride met with Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy, Paul Novak, General Secretary of the TUC, and Dave Pike, Regional Secretary of the TUC, reaffirming that the special relationships first seen during the 1984/85 miners' strikes continue proudly today.
Writing on social media, Durham Pride said: "The anti-Pride messages from Durham's County Hall are a regressive and harmful step backward for equality in our region."
Durham County Council has come under fire following a series of controversial decisions and statements that critics say amount to anti-Pride messaging, sparking widespread backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates, students, and political figures.
The Reform UK-led council, which took control earlier this year, has announced it will withdraw all funding for Durham Pride in 2026. Deputy council leader Darren Grimes, himself a gay man, defended the move by stating that Pride had “morphed into a travelling billboard for gender ideology and political activism,” and argued that council funds should prioritise essential services like road maintenance and waste collection over “contested causes”.
Grimes further inflamed tensions by declaring on social media: “Durham Pride won’t be getting a single penny from this council next year,” and describing the event as “political street theatre.” His remarks were met with fierce criticism, particularly from Durham’s student community and LGBTQ+ organisations, who view Pride as a vital celebration of identity, inclusion, and community support.
The controversy deepened when the Pride flag was removed from County Hall shortly after Reform UK assumed control. Labour MP for the City of Durham, Mary Kelly Foy, condemned the council’s actions, calling them “divisive” and questioning whether symbols of inclusivity truly offend those in power. She stressed that Durham Pride would continue regardless of council support, citing the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community and the strength of grassroots fundraising efforts.
Join Durham Pride for a screening of Pride, the movie, at Beamish Football Centre on 1 October.
