 David Skelton   Ed Miliband is Right to Speak at the Durham
Miners' Gala  Posted: 16/07/2012 00:00  Ed Miliband is being
attacked for speaking at the Durham Miners' Gala. Apparently,
it's symbolic of the "redness" of "Red Ed" and part of Labour's
kneejerk to the left. There's plenty of things that I disagree
with Miliband about, but he certainly shouldn't be criticised
for appearing at a celebration of Northern, working class
culture.  When I was growing up in Consett, as part of a coal
mining and steelworking family, the Gala was always a massive
event and remains the biggest event of its kind in Europe. For
those who haven't been, all of the local pit villages march
through the centre of Durham and towards the 'racecourse' with
banners and brass bands.  The brass bands, the remarkable
banners, the folk songs and speeches and even the cathedral
service are all reminders of the working class history,
sacrifice and ideas. It is an event deeply entrenched in North
Eastern working class culture and as far away