Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 15 Jan 2026 New Towns
"I beg to move,
That this House has considered new towns.
I am grateful to the Backbench Business Committee for finding time for this important debate. As we reach the 80th anniversary of the New Towns Act 1946, it feels like exactly the right moment for the House to pause …..." Katrina Murray - View Speech
"The fact that you could not go anywhere in the ’80s without seeing that statement meant that people across the country knew about Cumbernauld. I remember seeing that wording on the tube on my first trips to London. Other new towns tried to get in on the act. “Living in …..." Katrina Murray - View Speech
"The hon. Gentleman must have read the other parts of my speech, as I will come to that point. As I was about to say, new towns were never meant to just be housing schemes. They were meant to be places: planned communities, where jobs, homes and services developed together, …..." Katrina Murray - View Speech
"I very much commend my hon. Friend’s suggestion. What is clear is how important it is to have intergenerational towns and accessible housing.
Another local legend was Danny McGowan, who taught generations of Cumbernauld’s children to swim. He founded Cumbernauld swimming club and built it into a competitive force, driven …..." Katrina Murray - View Speech
"When I applied to the Backbench Business Committee for this debate, I said, with bravado, that there was a lot of interest, even though I had some concerns that the subject might be a little bit niche. I am therefore very glad to have seen the debate this afternoon. It …..." Katrina Murray - View Speech
"2. What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the new town of culture and UK city of culture 2029 competitions support communities. ..." Katrina Murray - View Speech
"I am seeking advice from the Secretary of State. What advice would she give to my local cultural organisations in Cumbernauld, including new and emerging arts and music spaces and the local theatre, which are excited by the prospect of the town of culture competition? How can they engage with …..." Katrina Murray - View Speech
"Thank you, Mr Speaker; I wish you and your staff a very merry Christmas.
Yesterday, my constituent Liz Buchanan stood down after 15 years as chairperson of Cumbernauld Seniors Club. During Liz’s tenure, the club has become a safe place to meet friends, chat, have a hot meal and enjoy …..." Katrina Murray - View Speech
"I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Luke Murphy) on securing this timely and welcome debate and, to be honest, on allowing us to reread and rewatch the great works of Jane Austen, all on the grounds of pure research.
I begin by quoting Jane herself from “Persuasion”: