Let's talk about the way we talk. On this week's podcast, The Northern Agenda speaks to Dr Robert M. McKenzie about new analysis on the way we respond to accents.

The associate professor in sociolinguistics, along with a team of academics at Northumbria University, found that there is prejudice against the northern accent - with many believing it is a sign of being less intelligent, educated, and ambitious.

He speaks to Northern Agenda editor Rob Parsons about their research in the British Academy-funded Speaking of Prejudice project.

They are joined by podcast producer and poet Daniel J. McLaughlin, who discusses how his Lancastrian accent impacts his professional life and performances.

And Conservative MP James Grundy chats to Rob about why he believes Leigh should split from the Wigan borough. He argues that people from Leigh are often treated as 'second class citizens' by their neighbours in Greater Manchester.

The Leigh MP also discusses levelling up, local devolution, and why he is pleased that the government has scrapped HS2’s £3 billion Golborne Link.

The Northern Agenda is a Laudable production for Reach. It is presented by Rob Parsons and Daniel O'Donoghue, and it is produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin.

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