Durham Pride will go ahead despite funding cuts by Reform UK
Trade unions including the TUC, Durham Miners Association and Equity led fundraising efforts to ensure the event could continue
By Aaron Sugg
Durham Pride will return in 2026, despite Reform UK ending council funding for future Pride events.
The annual celebration, scheduled for 30 May, will go ahead after trade unions and supporters raised more than £15,500 to replace the estimated £10,000 previously provided by Durham County Council.
Trade unions including the TUC, Durham Miners Association and Equity led fundraising efforts to ensure the event could continue.
Durham Pride 2026 is set to be “bigger and better than ever”
Organisers have described this year’s celebration as “bigger and better than ever”. Beginning with a parade from Palace Green to The Sands, the event will go on to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with live performances, speeches and activities planned across the city.
The funding dispute began after Reform UK took control of Durham County Council and announced it would no longer financially support Pride events.
According to the Guardian, last year deputy council leader Darren Grimes said: “Durham Pride won’t be getting a single penny from this council next year.”
Reform UK’s Darren Grimes said council funding should be go to “core services”, excluding Durham Pride
“Taxpayers shouldn’t be bankrolling it,” he continued.
Instead, he said council funding should be directed towards “core services” and that the council should not fund what he described as “contested causes”.
In response, unions launched a fundraising campaign that attracted widespread support. TUC regional secretary Dave Pike said: “While the Reform party is promoting division, I am proud to stand alongside the LGBT-plus community in Durham, and the Miners Association, for unity and for a society that respects people regardless of our differences.”
“We see you, we will fight you, and we will succeed” – Equity to Reform UK, presenting their donation to Durham Pride
A further boost came from performers’s union Equity, which donated £7,200. While presenting the donation, Equity President Lynda Rooke said: “Equity – your union – will not allow a Pride event that brings work for our members and celebrates our performers to die. And I am proud to announce that Equity has stepped up.”
She continued: “What’s even better is that this new agreement signed between Durham Pride and Equity will ensure decent standards for all our members and our workers. 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.”
Reform UK have banned Pride flags from their council buildings
The debate has extended beyond funding. A Pride flag has been raised at Durham Castle ahead of the celebrations after it had previously been removed from County Hall under Reform UK’s administration.
In May 2025, it was announced that councils controlled by Reform UK would be banned from displaying LGBTQ-themed rainbow flags in council buildings.
Durham Pride, founded in 2014, will celebrating it’s 11 year anniversary beginning 29 June, before the main event the following day with Saturday Headliner Clare Richards from Steps.
Tickets and further information ahead of the big day are available to order now via the official Durham Pride website.