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Last Monday I had the enormous privilege of taking the descendants of the Jarrow marchers to 10 Downing Street to meet our Prime Minister Andy Burnham, 90 years after their ancestors made the long journey from Jarrow to London. We brought the original wooden petition box carried by the marchers in 1936, with a copy of their historic petition.
For me, as MP for Jarrow and successor to Ellen Wilkinson, it was the highlight of an extraordinary few weeks commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Jarrow Crusade.
In October 1936, 200 unemployed people embarked on a 300-mile journey to London. Their town had been devastated by the closing of the Palmer Shipyard; unemployment was high, and families struggled to put food on the table. They didn’t ask for the world: they wanted jobs and the chance to provide their families with a decent life.
They went all the way, only to be denied the meeting with the Prime Minister that they were hoping for. Ninety years later, I was determined that their descendants would receive the welcome their ancestors deserved.
And what a welcome it was! The families were invited to number 10, where the Prime Minister sat down with them over a cup of tea, listened to their stories and received a copy of that original petition. It was a wonderful, emotional occasion, and I was incredibly proud to help make it happen.
But the commemorations are about much more than that one day. Through this year I wanted to make sure that the story of the Jarrow March reaches a new generation, especially young people.
We developed educational packs for schools, worked with Jarrow School, ran a poetry competition for young people across Jarrow and Gateshead East, and I published a commemorative book with historic photographs, some never seen before, alongside the fantastic poems written by our competition winners.
I also had the privilege of speaking at a special anniversary service at Christ Church in Jarrow, unveiling a plaque celebrating our shipbuilding heritage at Balaena Tyne, and organizing an exhibition and reception in Parliament, bringing together descendants, local people and colleagues from across the political spectrum.
It’s been quite a busy October!
One of the things I enjoyed the most is hearing the family stories passed down through the generations. The Jarrow March may be famous across the country, but for people in Jarrow it is a deeply personal part of our history. These were ordinary workers who decided that they could not simply accept what was happening in their city.
That is also why I was so keen to secure a Westminster Hall debate last week. I wanted to place the courage of those 200 men, their experiences and the challenges for Jarrow firmly on the parliamentary record.
Westminster Hall Debates
Ninety years ago my predecessor Ellen Wilkinson stood up in Parliament and spoke passionately about the poverty and unemployment facing her constituents. I felt it was important to follow in their footsteps and ensure that the lessons of the March were heard once again in Westminster.
Because while much has changed since 1936, too many families are still struggling to make ends meet, and too many communities have gone without the investment and opportunities they deserve.
I am proud of what this Labor Government is doing, from strengthening workers’ rights through the Employment Rights Act to investing in shipbuilding and delivering £20 million through Pride in Place to support Jarrow’s future.
But there is still much more to do. Every week I speak with constituents who are worried about their jobs, struggling with the cost of living or simply trying to give their children a better start in life. Their experiences should shape the decisions we take in the Chamber.
As we look towards the centenary of March in 2036, I want his legacy to inspire what happens next in Jarrow.
To me, that’s what these commemorations were all about: remembering those who stood up for our city, celebrating the community spirit that still exists today, and making sure the next generation has the opportunities those men 300 miles wanted.
