Harman admits changing accent
Thursday, 28 January 2010 12:00 AM
By politics.co.uk staff
Harriet Harman lost her "cut-glass" 1950s accent, she has admitted, but insists she did not do so deliberately.
Labour's deputy leader told the Evening Standard newspaper she had sounded like "Lady Diana" during TV footage of her at the Grunwick dispute of 1976.
"I was so docile and polite and terribly reasoning. I've given that up," she said.
Ms Harman insisted this was not deliberate, however.
She added: "I think it was just part of a general trend - you don't hear that kind of 1950s cut-glass accent now.
"I didn't consciously change it, but I agree, I lost it somehow.
"Looking back to the way I was then, it must have seemed even more odd to people that I was with Jack [Dromey, her husband and union leader]."
During the interview Ms Harman hinted at her determination to be a major player in the Labour party in the event of a future leadership election.
"Having women's voices involved in politics is a way of telling women that they are represented and it is very important," she said.
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