Durham's annual Pride festival will go ahead as planned after trade unions stepped in to replace funding withdrawn by the Reform-led Durham County Council. The council had previously contributed £2,500 from its Corporate Affairs department and £10,000 from its festival team, but Reform vowed in August 2025 that the event would not receive 'a single penny' from the council in 2026.
Council's Decision Sparks Controversy
Deputy leader Darren Grimes stated in August 2025 that the money would be redirected to 'the services everyone relies on, not on flying the latest alphabet flag for the professional offence industry.' He added on X: 'Pride stopped being a celebration of gay rights a long time ago. It's morphed into a travelling billboard for gender ideology and political activism that many in the gay community – myself included – want no part of. Taxpayers shouldn't be bankrolling it.' Grimes emphasized that while the council would not stop the event, it would not fund 'contested causes,' saying residents deserve 'bins emptied, roads fixed, and services funded – not more council-sponsored politics in fancy dress.'
Trade Unions Rally to Support Pride
In response, trade unions from across the county launched a fundraiser that raised over £15,000, surpassing the amount cut. Equity, the performers' union, was one of the largest donors, contributing £7,200. Equity's president, Lynda Rooke, declared: 'Equity – your union – will not allow a Pride event that brings work for our members and celebrates our performers to die. ... We are sending a message to Reform and any other group that is planning on attacking the cultural sector, which is: we see you, we will fight you, and we will succeed.'
Durham Pride chair Mel Metcalf expressed gratitude, saying: 'I just wanted to say thank you so much. I don't think you realise how much this really means to a small charity like ours. It's our 15th year, and what we've learned is that nobody can stop Pride. They said Pride won't happen, Pride is finished, Pride is done. But they don't control Pride, we do. So show up for Pride and get the banners out!'
Metcalf had previously stated that Durham Pride would not have accepted funding from the Reform-run council due to the party's stance on trans issues. Up to 6,000 people are expected at the parade on May 30.
Reform Responds
A Reform spokesperson told Metro: 'Durham County Council took the decision to withdraw taxpayer funding because residents expect their money to be spent on core local services. If trade unions and private supporters now wish to fund the event themselves, that is a matter for them. This demonstrates that the event can go ahead without relying on council taxpayers to foot the bill.'
Durham Pride began in 2014 and attracted some 20,000 attendees in 2023. The event will proceed on May 30, 2026, thanks to the unions' intervention.
