By Mel Stride
In June I delivered my maiden speech. This was not quite as terrifying as I had feared; even though to stand in that place and give account of yourself is a big moment. It is of course a huge privilege too 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'). With Central Devon being a new seat, formed from parts of 5 others, I have 5 predecessors and I paid tribute to them all including Richard Younger-Ross the former member for Teignbridge specifically recognising his hard work as a local MP. Praising my constituency was easy -there are few places in the country as beautiful - but I also spoke about local history especially of my home town Ashburton which as a once important Stannary Town has two of the most ancient offices in the land; Portreeve (as the representative of the Monarch) and Master Bailiff. Both these offices stretch back to the early 9th Century - well before even the illustrious position of Commons Speaker was conceived and to a time when the very ground on which the Houses of Parliament now stand was little more than a marshy outcrop of the River Thames. I spoke also about the vital importance of agriculture and pledged that I will continue to press on the issue of fairer funding for Devon Schools.
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 - from now on of course the gloves are off...
