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Here's today's Mancunian Way:
By Damon Wilkinson, Friday June 24
I'm filling in on newsletter duties for a week or so while Beth’s on her travels. It’s my first time at the helm of the good ship Mancunian Way, so hope you enjoy it.
Today we’ll be looking at accents and how a new study has found many people in England are still prejudiced against people with a strong Northern twang. We’ll also discuss the implications of last night’s Wakefield by-election defeat for the Tories in other so-called 'Red Wall' seats in Greater Manchester.
And with festival season well underway we’ll take a look back at Manchester’s lost ‘Anti-Glastonbury’ and look forward to the return of two stalwarts of the summer scene.
People with Northern accents deemed less intelligent
Speaking to the Northern Agenda podcast, Dr Robert McKenzie told how a new study has found many people in England are prejudiced against those with Northern accents, deeming them less intelligent, less ambitious and less educated. Using the example of Stockport-born MP Angela Rayner, Dr McKenzie said that while mocking someone's accent might be seen as a bit of joke, it can also have serious social implications.
"It's a way of taking away their voice," the Northumbria University academic said. “If the accent, or the variety is stigmatised, then the message they have is also stigmatised and diminished."
But interestingly, it doesn’t seem to apply to all Northern voices, with attitudes to a Manc accent appearing to be increasingly positive. Dr McKenzie believes that might be because people associate an accent with the fortunes of the town or city.
"Every time I go back to the Manchester, it seems more economically prosperous and powerful. And you can tell that by just from the height of the buildings," he said.
"Because status evaluations reflect accent and evaluations of power, then perhaps the Manchester accent itself will be increasingly thought of as more favourable."
Rebuilding the Red Wall?
The results of the 2019 general election sent shockwaves through Greater Manchester. So-called 'Red Wall' seats in Bury, Bolton, Leigh and Heywood and Middleton turned blue for the first time in decades - and in some cases for the first time ever.
But if a week’s a long time in politics, three years is an eternity. And last night’s Wakefield by-election defeat for the Conservatives will have provided a welcome boost for Labour’s hopes of repairing the cracks.
Wakefield was won by the Tories in 2019 with a majority of 3,358 after being a Labour seat since the 1930s – but Labour's Simon Lightwood’s managed to overturn that last night with a 4,925 vote victory.
Speaking in Osset this morning Keir Starmer said the win was a ‘huge result for the Labour Party’. “This puts us now absolutely on track for a Labour government, which is absolutely coming,” he told reporters.
But Labour needs to win back a lot more seats in northern England if it is to have any chance of victory in the next general election, and while the Wakefield success provides some encouragement there remains a long way to go.
‘Proud vibes only’
As a free, grassroots event Salford’s Pink Picnic Pride could very easily have been lost during the pandemic. So the fact that it’s returning tomorrow - and thanks to generosity of the community, is still free - is cause for celebration.
Speaking to Adam Maidment and Nicole Wootton-Cane Salford Pride head honcho Ricki Hewitt said the event is so important because Pride is ‘more than just a celebration of LGBT+ identities and culture’.
"Pride means visibility for a community that faces erasure and discrimination far too often," he added. "Pride means solidarity and celebrating living your authentic self and being party of a community of diverse identities."
Weather, etc
Saturday: Sunny, changing to cloudy by lunchtime. 19C.
Pollen count: High.
Roads closed: Delph New Road, Dobcross, in both directions for roadworks between Wall Hill Road and Oldham Road until August 15.
Eccles New Road westbound closed for gas main work from Stott Lane to Gilda Brook Road until June 28.
Barring a last minute breakthrough in talks, the third day of the national rail strike is due to take place tomorrow. There’ll be an extremely limited service, with all the major rail companies in the North West warning passengers not to travel.
Today's Manc trivia question: Which Manchester city centre landmark was briefly the tallest building in the UK following its completion in 1962?
Answer at the bottom of the newsletter
Summer in the city
Another Mancunian festival also returns next week, as Castlefield Bowl gets ready for the 2022 edition of Sounds of the City. It all kicks off on Tuesday with a set from Lewis Capaldi with this year’s other headliners including Primal Scream, The Libertines and Crowded House. If you’re heading down there Jenna Campbell has everything you need to know.
Blazing hot
One of the many benefits of working from home is getting the chance to wear shorts when the weather warms up. But despite Greater Manchester sweltering in temperatures of up to 27C this week, many schools have refused to relax their uniform rules.
As Emma Gill reports, a parent of a pupil at Sale High School in Trafford complained her child came home 'dripping in sweat' and feeling ill as she'd not been allowed to take her blazer off all day. Calling on headteachers to drop to drop the draconian rule, she said: “I think it's outrageous that children across the UK are having to wear blazers in schools with temperatures expected to reach highs of 27 degrees.”
Manchester headlines
Airport delays: Another day, another massive queue at Manchester Airport as the summer of travel chaos continues. Pictures showed the queue snaking from Terminal 2 and stretching along the walkway towards Terminal 1 early this morning. One passenger described the scene as 'utter carnage'. More here.
United star bailed: Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood remains on bail following a court hearing after his arrest on suspicion of rape, sexual assault and threats to kill. The footballer, 20, was first arrested on January 30 on suspicion of the rape and assault of a woman. He was then further arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and threats to kill. Following a hearing in court yesterday over the footballer's bail position, Greater Manchester Police said that his bail remains.
PC sacked: A Greater Manchester Police officer has been sacked after he was convicted of stalking and harassment. The offences involved PC Gareth Walker's ex-wife and her new partner after their divorce in 2019, GMP's Chief Constable said as he chaired a misconduct hearing at force HQ.
PC Walker, who was based in Rochdale, appeared before the hearing to answer allegations of gross misconduct in that his conduct amounted to a breach of the standards of professional behaviour contrary to police regulations. More here.
Get a Move on
After a two year covid-enforced absence Glastonbury kicked off today. But how many of you can remember Manchester’s short-lived, but star-studded Move Festival at Old Trafford Cricket Club?
Dubbed the ‘Anti-Glastonbury’ because it tried to reduce the risk of mud by covering the pitch in plastic sheeting, the event attracted some major acts in its three year run, including David Bowie, The Cure and Morrissey.
Worth a read
David Powell spoke to Paige Oldfield about how finding out he had ADHD aged 44 changed his life. As a kid David struggled with a short temper, had difficulty concentrating and lacked organisational skills. Those problems continued into adulthood – leading to long bouts of unemployment and failed relationships. But a chance online exchange with a stranger on a classic car forum led to the diagnosis of adult ADHD.
That's all for today
Thanks for joining me and hope you have a good weekend. The next edition of the Mancunian Way will be with you around the same time on Monday. If you have any stories you would like us to feature or look into, please contact me at damon.wilkinson@menmedia.co.uk
And if you have enjoyed this newsletter today, why not tell a friend how they can sign up?
The answer to today’s trivia question, the CIS Tower on Miller Street held the title of tallest building in the UK from 1962 to 1963, when it was overtaken by the Millbank Tower in London.
