Tory MP Jake Berry: Northerners like football, southerners prefer opera and ballet [View all]

[T_i_B]

I spent 11 years living in the home counties and not once during that time did I come across a single person who admitted to liking ballet. And if anything I came across more people who were fanatical about footie when I was down there was well.

For somebody who leads the "Northern Research Group" of Tory MP's Mr Berry appears to be rather shit at researching.

https://news.sky.com/story/tory-mp-jake-berry-northerners-like-football-southerners-prefer-opera-and-ballet-12130223

Jake Berry, a former northern powerhouse minister, made the comparison as he warned "northern culture" was being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"For many people who live in London and the south of England, things like the opera house and ballet will be at the heart of their culture," he told a Westminster Hall debate.

Mr Berry, who represents Rossendale and Darwen and leads the Northern Research Group of Tory MPs, added that action is needed from Westminster to protect clubs that are the "cornerstone" of their communities.

Northern Ballet, which is based in Leeds, voiced disappointment at the MP's comments and accused him of perpetuating "tropes that culture in the North is of less value than that in London".