Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Coronation Street: 60th Anniversary

02 December 2020 · 4 other contributors

Opened by Tracy Brabin Lab Batley and Spen

Culture, Media & Sport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Tracy Brabin raised concerns about coronation street: 60th anniversary in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Coronation Street celebrated its 60th anniversary in a UK Parliament debate initiated by Tracy Brabin.
  • The show was noted for its average audience of over 7 million viewers and its authentic portrayal of working-class life in Weatherfield, Salford.
  • Minister Whittingdale praised the show for addressing important social issues and acknowledged its safe production practices during the pandemic.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Tracy Brabin Lab Batley and Spen

The debate was initiated by Tracy Brabin to celebrate the diamond anniversary of 'Coronation Street'. She highlighted its significance as a British cultural institution, noting its average audience of more than 7 million viewers. The show's history was traced from its initial rejection and commission for 13 episodes in 1960 to becoming the world's longest-running television soap opera. Brabin emphasised 'Coronation Street's' authentic portrayal of working-class life in Weatherfield, Salford, including iconic storylines that have captivated audiences over decades. She also praised its role in challenging societal norms through groundbreaking storylines and acknowledged its enduring relevance amid significant changes in the media landscape.

Other contributors (4)
  • Conor Burns Con Bournemouth West

    Burns congratulated Brabin on securing the debate, expressing his admiration for 'Coronation Street'. He shared personal anecdotes of visiting the set and interacting with cast members. Burns highlighted the show's impact in breaking taboos through its storylines and emphasised the importance of public service broadcasting.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Shannon reminisced about 'Coronation Street' from his youth, noting how it resonated with real-life experiences. He praised the show's ability to portray both humour and serious issues, reflecting on storylines that have captured national attention.

  • Greg Smith Con Buckingham

    Smith shared his lifelong appreciation for 'Coronation Street', discussing its role in raising awareness of societal issues like sepsis through compelling storylines. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining support for public service broadcasting.

  • Peter Gibson Constitutional Conservative/Democratic Unionist Wansbeck

    Gibson praised 'Coronation Street' for its powerful and humorous characters, reflecting on its significant cultural impact over decades. He highlighted the show's representation of northern voices and mindful approach to societal issues.

Government Response

John Whittingdale

Whittingdale congratulated Tracy Brabin for securing the debate and praised 'Coronation Street' as a cultural institution. He reflected on his visits to the set, highlighting the show's influence in addressing important social issues. The Minister acknowledged the show's enduring popularity despite changes in the media landscape, and emphasised its role during the pandemic through safe production practices and adherence to public health guidelines. Whittingdale also discussed the economic benefits of UK production outside London and the importance of public service broadcasting in supporting domestic content creation.

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