I recently led a debate in Westminster Hall on a subject close to my heart: the cultural contributions of Staffordshire. I called for it not just to mark Staffordshire Day, but to speak up for a county whose cultural legacy must not be overlooked, and whose creative future deserves serious national attention.
Staffordshire is a county shaped by culture. From moulding clay in Stoke-on-Trent to singing our stories at the festivals and stages of Stafford and Lichfield, our communities have long been home to creativity, industry, and craftsmanship. But the reason I brought this debate to Parliament was not to simply celebrate what has been—it was to embolden support for what could be.
Too often, culture is seen as a luxury or an afterthought. In Westminster, debates about the economy, education and levelling up rarely give the creative industries the space they deserve. Yet in Staffordshire, culture is the economy. It’s in the hands of artists working in former factory buildings, in the performances that fill theatres and bring communities together, and in the trades passed down from generation to generation. Our culture tells our story—and shapes our future.
In the debate, I spoke about the many threads that weave together Staffordshire’s cultural fabric. The new Staffordshire History Centre is one example—a remarkable space in my constituency that brings over a thousand years of our history to life. Its treasures include Anglo-Saxon charters and letters from the eve of the American Revolution. This kind of investment in our heritage is not just about preservation. It’s about pride, education, and economic potential.
The heart of this debate was not buildings, but people. From Johny Todd, a master leatherworker in Woodings Yard who reminded me how important it is to support the next generation of craftspeople, to the young actors I met at the Gatehouse Theatre preparing for “Carrie: The Musical,” the message was clear: Staffordshire’s culture is alive. However, it needs space and support to grow.
That’s why I welcomed the support of colleagues from across the House, particularly my local friends in Staffordshire, who highlighted the ceramics industry in Stoke, the brewing heritage of Burton, and the grassroots festivals that bring our towns and villages to life. We are more than our history. We are communities of makers, doers, and storytellers. And culture is where our past meets our potential.
As the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Theatre, I know how transformative local venues can be. Theatres like the New Vic in Newcastle-under-Lyme and the Regent in Stoke-on-Trent don’t just host performances – they also support jobs, education, and wellbeing. The Claybody Theatre’s productions in places like the old Spode pottery works show how culture and place can come together in powerful, community-driven ways.
It’s not just about social value, either. Economically, theatres are a huge boost to the communities they’re situated in, bringing thousands of pounds worth of investment. For every £1 spent on a theatre ticket, £1.40 is generated for their local economy. The case for cultural investment is also a vital economic proposition.
That’s why I urged the Minister to take Staffordshire seriously. To invest not just in our history, but in our future. To fund the spaces, skills, and opportunities that will keep our culture alive for generations to come.
I called this debate because Staffordshire’s story matters. If we tell it boldly, and back it with investment, it can inspire both pride and progress.
Staffordshire’s culture is alive – it needs space and support to grow
