Tens of thousands of people cheered calls for a general strike at the historic Durham Miners’ Gala on Saturday.

The gala — the 130th to be staged by the Durham Miners’ Association — was attended by an estimated 150,000 people who flocked to the city to see the traditional parade of more than 80 miners’ union banners and dozens of others.

The gala, known as the Big Meeting, has become a focal point for the labour and trade union movement in Britain and beyond.

This year’s record-breaking event followed the nationwide public-sector strike on Thursday which saw two million workers walk out.

Thursday’s action prompted calls for a stepping-up of strike action in resistance to the coalition government’s class-based attack on the welfare state, public services and the trade union movement.

As union and campaign banners continued to wind their way onto the gala field, the platform of speakers issued rallying calls for this year’s event to be a springboard for renewed action in resistance to the Con-Dem coalition.

Prison Officers Association general secretary Steve Gillan warned of the extreme anti-union legislation being promised by the Tories if they hold onto power after next May’s general election.

“The POA had its trades union rights taken away by a Conservative government in 1984,” he said. 

“They made it illegal for us to take industrial action.

“If this government is re-elected there will be legislation that will put every trade union in the position that we are in.” 

But he said his union had defied the government.

“We have ignored the legislation and taken industrial action in 2007 and 2012 when our members have shown the will to do so. And we will do it again.”

Mr Gillan said he “made no apology” for calling for a general strike at the Trade Union Congress.

“We have an opportunity,” he said. “The (TUC) General Council should be calling for a general strike of every trade union. Let us agitate, educate and organise and let us have a general strike,” he said to rousing cheers.

Train drivers’ union Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan also brought cheers when he said: “I agree with Steve. All trade unions should be standing shoulder to shoulder. Can they sack us all? I don’t know. Let’s see them try!”

General union GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said he did not want a “radical” Labour government but one whose policies would be “normal,” with security at work, public ownership, free health care and education, no tax dodging, a cap on rents, living wage and no zero hours contracts.

“If Labour could have the courage to be ‘normal’ they can win,” he said.

Veteran Labour MP Dennis Skinner was cheered loudly as he began his address to the gala.

He vowed that he would win back his place on Labour’s national executive, from which he has been ousted by Labour’s right-wing.

And Durham Miners’ Association general secretary Dave Hopper said the estimated turn-out of 150,000 was the biggest for decades.

“I have never seen the field covered with so many people in my life.”