Union support for Corbyn at Durham Big Meeting

The MP for Islington North was the first to take to the stage at the Big Meeting, one of the largest political gatherings in Europe.

Take a look at all our pictures of the Big Meeting by clicking here.

Around 100,000 people are thought to have been in Durham City for the annual socialist event and they enjoyed a sundrenched afternoon at the racecourse.

Mr Corbyn was asked to speak after the National Union of Mineworkers (North East Area) announced it was supporting him to lead the party earlier in the week because of his anti-austerity stance.

Mr Corbyn said: “We need to say ‘no’ to austerity that has brought about such grotesque levels of inequality, freezing public sector wages leading to a standard of living cut for every public sector worker.

“We need workers’ rights, we need trade union rights that mean something so our funds are not put under threat and we cannot take strike action through our democratic structures.

"We need collective bargaining and we need new policies.

“What is fascinating about this debate in The Labour Party is they know where we came from and they want to know where we are going to go to. A society of full employment. A society of decency and human rights. A society that condemns and eliminates poverty. Both here and elsewhere, it can be done.”

Tomorrow, a Labour Party hustings is being held at The Great North Museum in Newcastle with Mr Corbyn and the other leadership candidates: Andy Burnham, Liz Kendall and Yvette Cooper.

The gala speeches followed the traditional marching of banners though the historic streets of Durham City accompanied by the uplifting and moving music from colliery community brass bands.

Speakers this year included union chiefs Len McCluskey, of Unite, Matt Wrack of the Fire Brigade Union and Chris Keates from the NASUWT along with left-wing author and Guardian columnist Owen Jones.

Mr McCluskey said: “Anyone who thinks that Jeremy’s policies are too left, or could not win popular support in our country. Watch this space. “People call Jeremy and Unite the extreme left. Is it extreme to oppose austerity, wrecking the lives of millions? Is it extreme to stand for higher taxes on the wealthy to help tackle the inequality? Extreme to support our NHS? Extreme to oppose criminal wars like Iraq? And is it is extreme to support proper rights for trade unionism? No, comrades, it isn’t. We stand for the common sense of our age. We stand for the values of equality, decency, fairness and social justice.”

As well as their endorsement of Mr Corbyn, speakers talked of their disappointment at the General Election result in May that returned a Tory majority, the impact their policies were having and last week’s budget.

Mr Jones said: “Most people in poverty are in work, getting up day in, day out to earn their poverty. The Tories hope this misery will be airbrushed out of history.

“We have a duty, we have a responsibility, we must all speak out about what is happening in this country.”

Tosh McDonald, president of ASLEF, said the today’s Conservative Party was no different from the party led by Margaret Thatcher during the 80s.

He said: “I hated Margaret Thatcher with a passion. I hated her so much when she was alive I set my alarm clock an hour earlier than I needed to so when I woke up I could hate her for an hour longer.

“I am still short of sleep because today I hate David Cameron and George Osbourne just as much.”