Tradition and words

I recently delivered my maiden speech. It is, of course, a huge privilege to have the opportunity to do so and that whole day, including the five hours sitting on the green benches waiting to be called, is one I will never forget.

There are various traditions surrounding a maiden speech. It should be uncontroversial; you should praise your predecessor, laud your constituency and address the debate at hand (in my case a general debate on 'Building a High-Skilled Economy').

Praising my constituency was easy — as there are few places in the country as beautiful — and I spoke also about the vital importance of agriculture and of getting on top of Bovine TB.

I also pledged that I will continue to press on the issue of fairer funding for Devon Schools (where as a county we are currently ranked 148th out of 151 Local Education Authorities when it comes to the level of central government Direct Schools Grant).

I chose to speak in a debate on Skills as this allowed me to say a little more about education. Specifically, about its vital role in improving the life chances of the less advantaged.

As someone whose mother and father left school at 15 and 14 years of age and whose own life was transformed by winning a free place at a grammar school, this is an issue about which I feel especially strongly.

To be able to press my arguments with words that echoed about a chamber in which Atlee and Churchill had addressed its members and the world beyond was particularly special, made all the more so by another tradition of maiden speeches — that no one interrupts you. You are heard with respectful restraint — next time I guess the gloves might be off.