A CUMBRIAN MP joined Strictly Come Dancing stars and celebrities in Parliament in an event that garnered mixed responses on social media.
Morecambe and Lunesdale MP Lizzi Collinge was among a group of MPs who attended an event as part of a 'UK-wide campaign to encourage people of all ages and abilities to experience the transformative health benefits of dancing' ahead of the National Day of Dance this Sunday.
The ‘Let’s Dance!’ initiative, spearheaded by broadcaster Angela Rippon CBE, aims to highlight how dance can improve physical, mental, and social wellbeing.
Ms. Collinge, whose area includes southern parts of Cumbria but mostly north Lancashire, met Ms Rippon in Parliament to discuss the campaign’s goals and took part in a brief demonstration to see the effects first hand.
The campaign emphasises that any sort of movement counts, making it one of the most accessible ways for people to build physical activity into their daily routines.
The MP said: “When I heard that Angela Rippon was running a campaign about dancing for health, I was really interested to learn more.
“Lack of physical activity causes lots of health problems and moving around more can help with both physical and mental health conditions.
“Morecambe and Lunesdale has high levels of dementia and type 2 diabetes, both of which can be prevented by moving around more.
“Dancing is a really accessible way to exercise - you don't need any special equipment and anyone can take part, whether that's a 90 year old dancing with their walker to strengthen their muscles and prevent falls, or a young person with learning disabilities gaining confidence through dance.
“The dance event in Westminster, hosted by Angela Rippon and with Strictly celebrities giving their time too, was a fun way to raise awareness of how good dance is for health and to encourage my constituents to take part in the Let's Dance campaign, even if that's just a kitchen disco with the family.
“I also made three brilliant professional contacts to bring expertise and action to Morecambe and Lunesdale, supporting the brilliant local dance groups we already have.
“Let’s Dance also shows how dance can bring communities together through enjoying themselves together, something which I think is more important than ever.”
Carlisle MP Julie Minn's was also an attendee of the event, which has faced backlash on social media with criticism for MPs partaking in a dancing event whilst the crisis in the Middle East rages.
The dancing was criticised in some quarters with former Labour MP Zarah Sultana saying on X: "The optics of MPs doing Strictly Come Dancing in Parliament while the world teeters on the brink of World War Three is completely inappropriate.
"It says all you need to know about Westminster."
And Reform UK's Nadhim Zahawi, a former Tory minister, said: "A very bad look for Parliament when the Middle East is trying to free itself from a terrorist regime hell-bent on acquiring nuclear weapons that could put the United Kingdom at risk."
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