Regional Accents

EDM number 323 in 1992-93, proposed by Roland Boyes on 23/06/1992.

That this House is appalled by the statements in the Observer Newspaper by the psychologist David Davey to the effect that standard accents are crucial in recruitment selection; and further notes that the Yorkshire accent is one of the great sounds of the world along with Geordie, Scouse and Cornish and that highly successful television series such as Last of the Summer Wine and Emmerdale Farm extol the Yorkshire accent and indeed are dependent on it; recognises that Yorkshire folk extol the Yorkshire accent and indeed are dependent on it; recognises that Yorkshire folk are generous, warm hearted, great conversationalists and raconteurs; condemns the Observer headline of 'Employees wanted - Tykes need not apply' as ignorant in the extreme and inappropriate in a classless society; and therefore calls on the Secretary of State for National Heritage to promote regional accents in recognition of their outstanding contribution in the fields of politics, sport, broadcasting, the arts and academic excellence.

This motion has been signed by a total of 36 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.