Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester has
visited Weatherfield. Technically part of Andy’s mayoral constituency,
Weatherfield has its own mayor but we won’t go into all that.
Andy took to the cobbles as part of his work on
tackling environmental issues facing in the area. Back in March the ‘Manchester
Green Summit’ was held in the region and who better to help put a subsequent
plan into action than a soap that has won numerous awards for its green
efforts.
Twitter: @MayorOfGM
The awards for Corrie started flooding in when the
programme moved to its new home at MediaCity. The first major gong was won at
the Observer Ethical Awards and Producer Kieron Roberts had this to say at the
time:
“This is a very
special and important award, one which we are all very proud to receive.
Coronation Street has strived to improve the sustainability of every element of
the production from how we power our site, to how we encourage electronic
working for scripts and paperwork, to how we minimise waste and recycle
wherever possible, to how we produce food, source costumes, and create sets.”
Now at the end
of every episode, after the credits you will see the albert+ sustainable
production logo in recognition of their continuing efforts to make an environmentally-friendly show.
Twitter: @ITVCorrie
The UK
government this week declared a “Climate Emergency” – the first country to do
so, recognising that climate change and poor air quality are a real and present
danger. The Mayor and cast and crew of Coronation Street are obviously taking note.
Andy Burnham,
and the Labour Party which he represents have many connections to Coronation
Street. Often when the Labour conference takes place in Manchester, politicians
dance the night away at parties in the Rovers Return.
Former Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls & union boss Frances O'Grady
Actor Julie
Hesmondhalgh who played the iconic Hayley Cropper is a prominent Labour Party
campaigner.
Andy and Julie share a giggle at conference
Batley and Spen
MP Tracy Brabin played Tricia Armstrong in Corrie.
Tracy and legend Johnny Briggs
Unfortunately
this Blogger is sad to report that Leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn
prefers….Eastenders.
No comment.
Incidentally
across the UK local council elections are taking place today.
I was reading through the Political Studies Association’s ‘Politics’ journal - as you do - and was pleasantly surprised to find an article about Coronation Street in this month’s edition.
Do you remember the illegal immigration storyline from ten years ago? It all started when Wiki Danowski, Kasia Barowicz and another Polish worker by the name of Judy started working at Underworld. The Connors were cutting corners at the knicker factory and hired the Polish workers on less money than the other factory employees.
Driven by misplaced fear of losing her job or having her pay cut, Janice Battersby bullied the new machinists, trying to convince the other factory girls (and Sean) that their new colleagues were “job thieves from the nightshift, after our wages”.
Janice found an unlikely ally in Joanne Jackson; a young Black woman who her colleagues remarked was surprisingly comfortable with the prejudice shown by Janice.
It soon transpired that while the Polish workers were in Weatherfield perfectly legally, Joanne was not. She had travelled from Liberia to Manchester at the age of eight and lacked the appropriate paperwork and legal right to remain. She was worried the Polish workers would draw attention to Underworld and risk her own discovery as “an illegal”.
Following an argument in The Rovers one night, Janice called the authorities and tipped them off about Joanne’s immigration status. Immigration Officers subsequently raided the factory in one of Corrie’s more politically sensitive plots. Here’s a little clip of this dramatic scene:
Janice later regretted her actions and tried to help her friend, suggesting the factory girls write to their MP on Joanne’s behalf. However, this very sensible idea was vetoed in favour of a scented lavender pillow for comfort and stress relief. Janice’s reaction was priceless: “Oh, right yeah, some poncy pillowcase stinking of some old biddy’s perfume - I mean, that’s really gonna sort her out isn’t it?”
If you’d like to read the excellent article by Dr Alexandria J Innes from the University of East Anglia and Dr Robert J Topinka of the University of Sussex, it is available if you click here. I have been in touch with the authors and they have kindly given me permission to share their work.
The article explores how intersectional identities such as race, ethnicity, class, and gender are experienced in relation to the globalisation of culture and identity in this Corrie storyline. It also examines popular culture and politics more generally, as well as providing a fascinating insight into British cultural studies and Coronation Street. It even mentions “the legion of Coronation Street blogs” such as ours!
I was interested to know if the authors are Corrie fans and what inspired them to write about this particular storyline. Dr Innes tells me that she is a fan of Corrie, although she’s currently not that up-to-date with her viewing. She was interested in writing about Coronation Street because she has long been convinced of its political importance, yet in her academic discipline “soaps are not something that are generally given much time”. I strongly agree that Corrie can be politically significant. In fact, my very first blog for this site was on the importance of Hayley Cropper as the UK’s first transgender soap character (still available here).
Dr Innes chose the immigration storyline because migration studies is her area of research and she remembered the storyline from 2007. She says: “I think often in academia we see these critiques of culture that are quite negative, and I wanted to recognise the things that I think Corrie does well. I see it in quite a positive light… it was important to me that it wasn’t a negative analysis”.
I think it’s great that Coronation Street has been recognised as worthy of academic analysis. I also agree with the authors' conclusion that rather than simply reflect what is happening in the outside world, soaps such as Corrie can actually shape political debate.
I asked Dr Innes which Corrie character she thought would be best suited to a career in academia. Her answer surprised me. She didn’t opt for Ken Barlow, the Street’s “resident intellectual” and nor did she go for his son, Daniel who - despite not making it to Oxford – remains one of the most “naturally gifted students” his Manchester lecturer has ever taught.
Instead, Dr Innes chose Tracy Barlow. She says: “I’ve long been a Tracy Barlow fan. She has a ruthlessness about her and a determination. I think she’d be the big-name grant-winner who everyone is secretly afraid of in an academic department”.
Well, there you have it - if things go pear-shaped at Preston's Petals, Tracy could get herself down to Manchester uni and enrol herself on a course. I’d love to see the look on Ken’s face!
It's voting day in the UK's General Election. I've been out and voted today already - have you?
No matter who you voted for, it's time to look back at some of those in Coronation Street who have stood for election, won and lost the people's vote.
With thanks to our blogger Llifon for his smashing P is for Politics post as part of our Coronation Street A-Z. You can see them all here!
P is for Politics: By Llifon Jones
Although Corrie has often avoided real politics in its script, mainly because it wouldn’t be current due to episodes being filmed weeks ahead of broadcast, it has had included politics in some of its storylines and we often get a glimpse of the political stance of certain characters.
Many characters have involved themselves in local politics. We mentioned Alf Roberts previously, and he is the most prominent local politician. A long serving councillor and twice-elected mayor, Alf was given an OBE by the Queen in 1995 for his services to the community. Alf was an independent councillor and during his 1991 election campaign, his posters wrongly called him ‘The People’s Fiend’ instead of friend. He was a mayor in 1973 and 1994. His first mayoress was Annie Walker, although she was only given the post after Maggie Clegg refused. When he was chosen in 1994, wife Audrey was his mayoress. But when she abused the mayoral privileges, Alf sacked her and offered the post to Rita Sullivan. When Audrey heard this she threatened to spread rumours that Alf and Rita were lovers. Alf then opted for Betty Turpin, despite Bet Gilroy hoping she’d be chosen. The council showed their appreciation of Alf’s contribution when they chose him to be responsible for the millennium celebrations in 1997 and he was nicknamed ‘Mr Millennium’. In 1998, Alf resigned from the council so he could concentrate on the millennium preparations. But in 1999 he passed away before the arrival of the millennium.
As well as Alf, other characters have involved themselves in political life. Between 1966 and 1978, Len Fairclough was a councillor and beat Annie Walker to the post in 1966. Alf and Len were best mates and their friendship was tested when they both contested for the role of mayor in 1973. Alf won and offered Len the role of deputy mayor. Len’s time as councillor ended when he was forced to resign after he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly. Despite not having won the 1966 election, Annie Walker was in her element as Alf’s mayoress and indulged in the privileges of the job.
In the 1987 election, Alf was challenged by Deirdre Barlow, after she was urged by hubby Ken to stand so to split the vote. But to Ken’s amazement, Deirdre beat Alf. Suddenly, the Barlows became a high-powered couple – him a newspaper editor and she a councillor. Ken and Deirdre split up after his affair with Wendy Crozier (who also worked at the council and leaked stories to Ken) in 1990 and in 1991 Deirdre lost her seat to Alf, who’d been encouraged by Alec Gilroy to stand again. Ken had supported Deirdre in the 1991 election and clashed with Alf when he put a ‘Vote Deirdre’ in the corner shop flat where he lived after being thrown out by Deirdre. As well as being a councillor, Deirdre worked at the council in administration for over ten years from the late 1990s.
When Alf resigned from the council in 1998, thus began a battle of who was going to fill the empty seat. His wife Audrey stood against eco-warrior Spider Nugent and won the seat. During her time as councillor she was elected mayor in 2000 and got the chance to meet HRH Prince Charles, the Prince Charles and enjoyed gloating about it. In 2001, due to best friend Alma’s illness, Audrey backed out of being re-elected and let Curly Watts win the vote. Curly remained at the council until he left Weatherfield for Newcastle in 2003.
Politics has also entered other characters’ storylines in different ways. The future of Coronation Street was in the balance in 1974 and many of the residents opposed the council’s decision to demolish the place. And many were disgruntled when they heard that Alf and Len knew about it and didn’t say anything. Timid Emily Bishop threw a brick through Len’s window in protest. The street was eventually saved. Then a few decades later, the council thought of renaming the street ‘Alf Roberts Wynd’ in honour of Alf, but yet again the residents opposed. In 2004, the council planned to erect a fountain in memory of Alf, but Emily, Betty, Rita, Norris and Blanche held a protest against it, much to Audrey’s chagrin.
As for political stances, the most prominent has to be Ken Barlow who is a staunch Liberal who reads ‘The Guardian’. Ironically, William Roache, who plays him, is a staunch Tory! During the 1970s you often saw Ken, Ernest Bishop and Annie Walker discussing the politics of the day with references being given to Jim Callaghan, Harold Wilson, Denis Healey and Margaret Thatcher. And Mrs Thatcher, Tony Blair and Ed Miliband have visited the Corrie set over the years.
Can you think of any other political links? Do you think Corrie should have a political storyline – a threat to close the hospital maybe? Or maybe a character becomes a councillor?
And what about the political stances of certain characters? Who do you think supports the Tories, Labour or the Liberals? Leave your comments!
As one door opens another closes. Or slams in your face. Corrie, famous for having strong women at the forefront of it's storytelling lost one of them last night as Kylie tragically took her last breath, having only just laid out plans to start a new life in Barbados. Not one to waste an opportunity to make a tenuous link to politics, the revolving door that is Number 10 Downing Street claimed another scalp of it's own last week as David Cameron walked the cobbles for the final time and Theresa May took her place in history to move in to the second most famous street in Britain, waving the flag for strong women everywhere. Don't be surprised if you see Sally Metcalfe with a new May-style haircut and wearing kitten heels in the near future... In her first message to the nation, the new Prime Minister spoke directly to a certain group of people, as did Thatcher before her. Who were they? Let's see if our Weatherfield favourites have any idea...
As it's election day here in the UK, I thought I'd re-post this blog about political life and links in Weatherfield.
Although Corrie has often avoided real politics in its script, mainly because it wouldn’t be current due to episodes being filmed weeks ahead of broadcast, it has had included politics in some of its storylines and we often get a glimpse of the political stance of certain characters.
Many characters have involved themselves in local politics. We mentioned Alf Roberts previously, and he is the most prominent local politician. A long serving councillor and twice-elected mayor, Alf was given an OBE by the Queen in 1995 for his services to the community. Alf was an independent councillor and during his 1991 election campaign, his posters wrongly called him ‘The People’s Fiend’ instead of friend. He was a mayor in 1973 and 1994. His first mayoress was Annie Walker, although she was only given the post after Maggie Clegg refused. When he was chosen in 1994, wife Audrey was his mayoress. But when she abused the mayoral privileges, Alf sacked her and offered the post to Rita Sullivan. When Audrey heard this she threatened to spread rumours that Alf and Rita were lovers. Alf then opted for Betty Turpin, despite Bet Gilroy hoping she’d be chosen. The council showed their appreciation of Alf’s contribution when they chose him to be responsible for the millennium celebrations in 1997 and he was nicknamed ‘Mr Millennium’. In 1998, Alf resigned from the council so he could concentrate on the millennium preparations. But in 1999 he passed away before the arrival of the millennium.
As well as Alf, other characters have involved themselves in political life. Between 1966 and 1978, Len Fairclough was a councillor and beat Annie Walker to the post in 1966. Alf and Len were best mates and their friendship was tested when they both contested for the role of mayor in 1973. Alf won and offered Len the role of deputy mayor. Len’s time as councillor ended when he was forced to resign after he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly. Despite not having won the 1966 election, Annie Walker was in her element as Alf’s mayoress and indulged in the privileges of the job.
In the 1987 election, Alf was challenged by Deirdre Barlow, after she was urged by hubby Ken to stand so to split the vote. But to Ken’s amazement, Deirdre beat Alf. Suddenly, the Barlows became a high-powered couple – him a newspaper editor and she a councillor. Ken and Deirdre split up after his affair with Wendy Crozier (who also worked at the council and leaked stories to Ken) in 1990 and in 1991 Deirdre lost her seat to Alf, who’d been encouraged by Alec Gilroy to stand again. Ken had supported Deirdre in the 1991 election and clashed with Alf when he put a ‘Vote Deirdre’ in the corner shop flat where he lived after being thrown out by Deirdre. As well as being a councillor, Deirdre worked at the council in administration for over ten years from the late 1990s.
When Alf resigned from the council in 1998, thus began a battle of who was going to fill the empty seat. His wife Audrey stood against eco-warrior Spider Nugent and won the seat. During her time as councillor she was elected mayor in 2000 and got the chance to meet HRH Prince Charles, the Prince Charles and enjoyed gloating about it. In 2001, due to best friend Alma’s illness, Audrey backed out of being re-elected and let Curly Watts win the vote. Curly remained at the council until he left Weatherfield for Newcastle in 2003.
Politics has also entered other characters’ storylines in different ways. The future of Coronation Street was in the balance in 1974 and many of the residents opposed the council’s decision to demolish the place. And many were disgruntled when they heard that Alf and Len knew about it and didn’t say anything. Timid Emily Bishop threw a brick through Len’s window in protest. The street was eventually saved. Then a few decades later, the council thought of renaming the street ‘Alf Roberts Wynd’ in honour of Alf, but yet again the residents opposed. In 2004, the council planned to erect a fountain in memory of Alf, but Emily, Betty, Rita, Norris and Blanche held a protest against it, much to Audrey’s chagrin.
As for political stances, the most prominent has to be Ken Barlow who is a staunch Liberal who reads ‘The Guardian’. Ironically, William Roache, who plays him, is a staunch Tory! During the 1970s you often saw Ken, Ernest Bishop and Annie Walker discussing the politics of the day with references being given to Jim Callaghan, Harold Wilson, Denis Healey and Margaret Thatcher. And Mrs Thatcher, Tony Blair and Ed Miliband have visited the Corrie set over the years.
Can you think of any other political links? Do you think Corrie should have a political storyline – a threat to close the hospital maybe? Or maybe a character becomes a councillor?
And what about the political stances of certain characters? Who do you think supports the Tories, Labour or the Liberals? Leave your comments!
