Early day motion · EDM 2788 · 11 Feb 2026

117th anniversary of the West Stanley Pit Disaster

Tabled by Luke Akehurst (Labour) 15 signatures

The motion

That this House commemorates the 117th anniversary of the West Stanley Pit Disaster of 1909 on 16 February 2026; remembers the 168 men and boys who died in the explosion and its aftermath, and the extraordinary bravery of those who risked their own lives to rescue others; acknowledges the scale of the disaster, which was the worst in the history of the Durham coalfield, and one of the worst coal mining disasters in British history; recognises the enduring impact of the disaster on generations of families in Stanley and the surrounding area; pays tribute to the community of Stanley, whose resilience, determination and courage shaped its response both then and since; and reaffirms its respect for the sacrifices made by miners and their families, which underpin County Durham’s history and identity.