Debates between Lord Watson of Wyre Forest and Helen Goodman during the 2015-2017 Parliament

Tue 18th Oct 2016

Broadcasting

Debate between Lord Watson of Wyre Forest and Helen Goodman
Tuesday 18th October 2016

(7 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Watson of Wyre Forest Portrait Mr Watson
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Ministers are nodding in support of that, so I hope that they can reassure me that the new and explicit commitment to diversity will also cover social class. I grew up in an era when working class actors such as Michael Caine, Glenda Jackson and Julie Walters were giants of popular culture.

Helen Goodman Portrait Helen Goodman
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You’re not that old.

Lord Watson of Wyre Forest Portrait Mr Watson
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I am; I am feeling it, anyway.

I have nothing against Benedict Cumberbatch and Eddie Redmayne—I admire their talent hugely and they are great ambassadors for our country—but we need more people like Julie Walters, Christopher Ecclestone and Paul McGann. And it should not fall to Lenny Henry and Idris Elba to be the face of the BBC’s diversity programme.