I’M delighted that Bob Crow, the left-wing leader of the RMT union is attending the Durham Miners' Gala this Saturday.

He is reported to have said it is a great honour to be invited to speak at this historic event of ours, so it is a great pleasure to welcome him.

Contrast this with the decision of Labour leader Ed Miliband who, after saying during his leadership campaign that he would attend, has now chickened out just because he would have to share a platform with Mr Crow.

His lacklustre performance as Labour leader is already under close scrutiny and not having the confidence to appear with Mr Crow, regardless of whether or not he agrees with him, doesn’t do his credentials as a future Prime Minister any good at all.

Messrs Blair and Brown didn’t speak at the Gala either, but they didn’t pretend to be on the left of the party.

They knew the influence of Durham miners on the party had passed, so it didn’t harm their political ambitions to ignore them. I thought Mr Miliband might do better.

It seems an East End London lad, lifelong Millwall supporter, values the Durham miners movement more than the Labour Party leadership has done for more than 20 years. Welcome, Bob Crow.

Dean Mels, Durham.