I was delighted to give my maiden speech in the House of Commons this afternoon during a debate discussing the economy following on from the Queen's speech.
It is customary in Maiden Speeches to praise your predecessor, say something unique and interesting about your constituency, and give some indication as to what your areas of focus may be in Parliament. I hope I managed to get this across, but my planned 8 minute speech suddenly had to get edited down to less than 5 minutes just a few minutes before I was due to speak, as the Speaker was trying to get as many people involved in the debate as possible. One thing I did not realise until a few days ago is that speeches are often time limited (probably a good thing!). Just as I was coming up to speak, the Speaker (John Bercow) left the chair and one of the female deputy Speakers took over, meaning that all my planned references to 'Mr Speaker' had to also suddenly change to 'Madam Deputy Speaker'. It's a good job I am used to ad-libbing!
The broad text of my speech is provided below and a video link to the speech can be found here on YouTube.
MAIDEN SPEECH TEXT - 4 June - Nigel Huddleston MP
Thank you Mr Speaker for allowing me to make my maiden speech during this important debate on the economy.
I congratulate all the previous speakers who have made their maiden speeches today and set the bar very high for the rest of us to follow.
PETER LUFF
I would like to begin by paying tribute to my predecessor for Mid Worcestershire, Sir Peter Luff. Peter was first elected to Parliament in 1992 as the MP for Worcester, following in the footsteps of another very respected member, Peter Walker. Peter Luff was a whip, former chair of the BIS Select Committee and Agriculture Select Committee - and he was, of course, a Defence Minister in the last government.
Peter leaves a great legacy in Worcestershire – he fought for significant improvements to local infrastructure, including the new Worcestershire Parkway Station which will open in 2017; and he worked hard to preserve and restore local heritage assets such as Hartlebury castle, the Droitwich Canals and the Regal Cinema in Evesham.
I will strive to serve the kid and generous constituents of Mid Worcestershire as well as Peter did.
THE CONSTITUENCY
I am fortunate, Mr Speaker, to represent one of the most idyllic constituencies in the country.
A drive through Mid Worcestershire is a wonderful experience: Starting from Broadway – the gateway to the Cotswolds - in the South, through the gently undulating landscape of the Vale of Evesham, past fields of Asparagus, plum and apple orchards, and greenhouses full of fragrant and beautiful flowers, one continues north (passing the Worcester Warriors Rugby Stadium) towards the historic town of Droitwich Spa (famous for it’s brine) and on to Ombersley and Hartlebury in the North.
On the journey one will pass through many quintessentially English villages with splendid names like Upton Snodsbury, Flyford Flavell and my children’s favourite – Wyre Piddle.
I am also proud of the links between my constituency and this place via Simon de Montfort – of de Montfort Parliament fame. In August we will commemorate the 750th anniversary of the Battle of Evesham– where Simon de Montfort was killed.
Mr Speaker, the experiences of the last few weeks have taught us all in this place that there is no such thing as a “safe seat” in modern British politics, but Mid Worcestershire is about as True Blue as you can get, having returned a Conservative MP at every election since 1837 - with one exception in 1880 when a Liberal was elected the MP for Evesham by a majority of just two votes. Recognising that this result must have transparently been an error, a petition was lodged, the result was voided and a Conservative member was returned instead by a majority of one vote. It is a nice precedent!
[But while being rightly proud of our past and our heritage, my constituents also look to the future - with many, innovative small and medium sized companies leading the way in areas such as wind turbines, flood barrier technology, logsitics - and, of course, agritech.]
MY AREAS OF FOCUS
Mr Speaker, having spent the last few years working for one of the world’s leading technology companies it will be no surprise to hear that I Intend to be a digital advocate in this place. The UK’s digital economy employs more than 1.5million people and is growing at double GDP growth.
We can be proud that the UK is one of the most advanced digital economies in the world and I know this government is absolutely committed to making sure it remains so.
The other sector I wish to champion in this place is travel and tourism; again one of the fastest growing sectors of the British economy. Since 2010 one third of all new jobs in the UK have been in the travel and hospitality space.
Tourism overall contributes a staggering £127 billion to the UK’s economy each year and sustains over 3 million UK jobs including many in my constituency.
Finally, Mr Speaker, we all know that you can only have good public services - great schools and great hospitals – if you have a strong economy that generates the taxes pay for them.
That is why it is vital that we continue to support businesses and support job creation thereby supporting workers and their families.
That is what I am here to do - and what this Queen’s speech and this Government will deliver.