Everyone was confused when Andrea Leadsom called Jane Austen ‘one of our greatest living authors’
The anniversary of the death of the Georgian author reached 200 years on July 18.
Andrea Leadsom’s admiration for Jane Austen drew laughs from fellow MPs on Thursday, when the cabinet minister described the Georgian writer as “one of our greatest living authors”.
Austen, who died 200 years ago on July 18, is to appear on a new, polymer form of the £10 note from September.
Leader of the House of Commons Leadsom, who was responding to comments from shadow Commons leader Valerie Vaz praising leading women figures, said: “I would just add one other great lady to that lovely list, who I am delighted to join in celebrating, and that’s that of Jane Austen, who will feature on the new £10 note, which I think is one of our greatest living authors.”
The announcement was met with laughs from the surrounding benches, but reaction outside of Parliament was similarly bemused.
Even Waterstones got sassy.
The senior MP quickly corrected herself when she realised her mistake, and said: “Greatest ever authors, and I think it’s fantastic that at last we are starting to recognise, well I think many of us probably wish she were still living, but I absolutely share the sentiment.”
It might not have been the most accurate reply the politician has ever made, but it certainly is one of the most unexpected.
