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Jane Austen
18 December 2025
Lead MP
Luke Murphy
Basingstoke
Lab
Responding Minister
Not recorded
Tags
No tags
Word Count: 13111
Other Contributors: 16
At a Glance
Luke Murphy raised concerns about jane austen in Westminster Hall. Response awaited from government.
Key Requests to Government:
The debate aims to commemorate Jane Austen's impact on the town of Basingstoke, Hampshire, and celebrate the cultural contribution she made around the world.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
I am a fan of Jane Austen's works and have visited Basingstoke, the birthplace of Jane Austen. She spent her formative years there, influencing much of her work such as 'Sense and Sensibility', 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Northanger Abbey'. The town shaped both her experiences and her writing.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda
Mr. Bryant spoke about the debate being initially about tourism rather than Jane Austen, praising literary criticism and mentioning the economic contribution of Jane Austen.
Damian Hinds
Con
East Hampshire
Congratulated Luke Murphy on securing the debate and acknowledged Jane Austen's enduring influence, noting that this is the first Backbench Business slot after her actual birthday. Provided a tour of his constituency, highlighting tourist attractions related to Jane Austen.
Chambers
Con
Winchester
Noted that Jane Austen is buried in Winchester Cathedral and highlighted prejudice against women's achievements.
Winchester
Celebrated Winchester's connection to Jane Austen, mentioning her burial in Winchester cathedral and events commemorating 250 years since her birth.
Katrina Murray
SNP
Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch
Spoke about the cultural impact of Jane Austen without claiming an identity with her for her constituency.
Luke Murphy
Lab
Lewisham West and Penshurst
Discussed the significance of Jane Austen's house in Chawton, its historical importance, and current role as a museum attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually. Celebrated reading inspired by his father, thanked contributors for highlighting Jane Austen's work and cultural significance.
French
Con
Old Bexley and Sidcup
Attempted to claim Jane Austen for the modern Conservative party, highlighting her skepticism towards revolution and her impact on literature.
Louie French
Con
Old Bexley and Sidcup
Jane Austen remains a cornerstone of English literature, embodying a distinctly English voice rooted in place, tradition, social order, and moral responsibility.
Billington
Con
East Thanet
Emphasised the debate’s timing and discussed coercive control themes in Austen's works.
Julie Minns
Lab
Carlisle
Discussed Jane Austen’s heroines and their qualities, highlighting the strength of quiet resilience, integrity, and independence.
Minns
Lab
Carlisle
Queried the speaker's role, likening them to Trollope.
Polly Billington
Lab
East Thanet
Discusses Jane Austen's works reflecting societal constraints and structural limitations on women, highlighting the importance of support for all women against violence and coercion.
Steff Aquarone
Con
North Norfolk
Asked if Luke Murphy agrees that Jane Austen would be delighted by recent news regarding North Norfolk beaches. He believes that Austen would appreciate this development. Spoke briefly about his constituency's connection to Jane Austen and mentioned the importance of her legacy in terms of tourism.
Steve McCabe
Lab
Birmingham Selly Oak
Highlighted Jane Austen’s literary impact, social commentary, and the enduring legacy of her work in inspiring new media adaptations.
North East Fife
Puts Jane Austen into historical context during the Napoleonic wars, acknowledging her cultural significance beyond literary achievements. Provided literary criticism of Jane Austen's writing style and content.
Bath
Hobhouse imagines Jane Austen visiting modern Bath and describes her reactions to contemporary technology, signs, and events. She expresses concern over the underrepresentation of women authors in school curricula. Discussed the unbalanced literature taught in schools and highlighted the economic contribution of Jane Austen-related tourism to Bath.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.