MPs Address Accent Discrimination in Parliament Debate
Northumbrian MP Ian Lavery has stated that mocking individuals with strong regional accents represents the last form of acceptable discrimination in the UK.
The Labour MP for Blyth and Ashington joined other MPs in condemning the prejudice faced by people based on their manner of speech during a parliamentary debate.
Jo Platt, Labour MP for Leigh and Atherton, chaired the Westminster Hall debate on regional accents and social mobility, discussing the societal pressure on individuals to alter their speech patterns to advance in life.
The debate coincided with the announcement that fellow Mancunian Andy Burnham is poised to become the prime minister.
Burnham has proposed a devolution programme, including establishing a 'No 10 North' office, and MPs emphasized the importance of restoring pride in the cultural richness of regional accents across the UK.
Ian Lavery on Accent Stigma and Social Barriers
Lavery described his accent as originating from the coal mining communities, reflecting his identity, origins, and the people he represents. However, he highlighted that strong accents still carry stigma among employers, creating obstacles for working-class children.
"Many people are forced between maintaining an accent they're proud of or indeed ditching their accent to try to just even move on in life,"
"It's just not right - it's the last form of acceptable discrimination in this country and it's absolutely ridiculous."
"It's the one that we suffer from the most - the social markers, the local dialect, who you are, and where you should be in life, because of how you speak."
Jo Platt on Accent Bias and Personal Experience
Jo Platt agreed that accent bias can impede progress, stating:
"Long before we explain our politics, our profession, or our background, the moment we open our mouths our accents instantly signal a core part of who we are."
She noted that these barriers are insufficiently discussed and shared her own experience as a working-class woman from Salford, feeling compelled to adopt a more neutral accent.
"I will admit there was a time when I wondered if softening my accent might make me sound more credible, more professional, more 'Westminster',"
"I worried that the way I spoke would limit my prospects so I toned my accent down."
Andy Burnham's Devolution Plans
Andy Burnham has outlined plans to devolve power to regions, including the creation of a 'No 10 North' office in Manchester, aiming to rebalance power within Britain.
Cat Eccles on Black Country Accent Stigma
Cat Eccles, Labour MP for Stourbridge, highlighted that Black Country accents are often mocked and perceived as unsophisticated, despite being among the oldest and most historically preserved accents in the UK.
"I remember my parents and teachers discouraging my accent due to biases and stigma, leading to beliefs that I could face discrimination or be seen as inferior in the working world,"
"We're not inferior for how we speak and nor should we hide it."
Marie Goldman on West Country Accent Experiences
Marie Goldman, Liberal Democrat MP for Chelmsford and spokesperson for women and equalities, recounted that growing up in Devon, teachers advised her to moderate her West Country accent during Bible readings.
"My parents have always said 'tuth' rather than tooth and I remember being mocked about that, so I now say tooth, I'm slightly ashamed to say, because I corrected my accent."
Mims Davies on Accent Correction and Social Mobility
Conservative MP Mims Davies, representing East Grinstead and Uckfield and serving as shadow Welsh Secretary, shared that her father was a Sussex farmer and her mother from Stoke had elocution lessons.
"The rise of mass education and accent correction in favour of perceived better pronunciation has had an impact, otherwise I would be speaking more akin to the West Country accent and using the rhotic R,"
She added that not having the 'right' accent remains a barrier to advancement and emphasized:
"A regional accent must never be seen as a badge of shame."
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