Dehenna’s Diary
‘M on the way back from London, whizzing up the A1M ready for tomorrow’s advice surgeries and my phone won’t stop buzzing (I’m not driving!)
My texts, emails, WhatsApps, Twitter DMs and Facebook Messages are full of people giving me thankfully largely positive feedback for my maiden speech. Welcome to life as a 21st century MP. It could be worse – if I ever screw up, I expect the same experience, but largely negative.
While you are allowed to ask questions to ministers and intervene in other speeches beforehand, the maiden speech is the first full speech an MP makes in the House of Commons. It is also a convention that, for probably the only time in your career, nobody will interrupt you. Next time I speak, I fully expect colleagues on my bench to intervene “helpfully” , and colleagues on other sides to intervene, well, unhelpfully. It’s all part of the theatre of House of Commons politics – and I’m sure it will take some getting used to.
Usually, people use the opportunity as a chance to talk about the history of their constituency; its local successes and issues; the work of their predecessors; and what they plan to focus on, both locally and in Parliament.
In preparing my speech, I was keen to make it both personal and wide reaching, both serious and lighthearted, about both local and national challenges. All in a limit of six minutes. No pressure.
I took the opportunity to talk about some of the constituency’s history, including our sporting successes.
I spoke about the challenges we face in Teesdale and how I will work to try to address them and protect our rural communities – including the need to repair the Whorlton Bridge.
I talked about losing my dad through a single punch, and how that has driven me to pursue a policy agenda to reduce violence. And I talked about my passion to help improve social mobility. For fellow Harry Potter fans, I was amused to learn I’m only the third MP ever to mention Dumbledore in Parliament, using his quote “it matters not what you are born but what you grow to be” .
The full text and video is available now on my website.
It was a pretty terrifying experience – thankfully the camera didn’t pick up on my shaking hands – but I was proud to be able to stand there and talk up how great our constituency is. Thank you for giving me the opportunity.
In other news, my team let out a collective, excited squeal mid-week when we were finally told where our parliamentary office is, and a great cheer when we finally got the keys on Friday. Half our computers and phones have now arrived, and the rest are due next week.
We’re chuffed to have a bit of privacy, and even more so at the prospect of no more hot-desking.
One of my team is already buying decorations and bits and bobs to make the office more “homely” .
I’ve heard “fairy lights” and “a poster of the Queen” mentioned by them.
Well, it’s as much their office as mine so I’m indulging them. But never fear, readers, because I can assure you none of this will be going on expenses.
Dehenna Davison is MP for Bishop Auckland
