Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Gaffney delivers maiden speech
Coatbridge MP announces himself in House
Coatbridge’s new MP vowed to“aim to change society for the better” in his maiden speech to the House at Westminister.
Labour representative Hugh Gaffney made his opening contribution from the floor of the House of Commons two weeks after being sworn in, following his election victory in the Coatbridge, Chryston & Bellshill constituency.
Speaking in a debate on education following the Queen’s Speech, he told fellow MPs: “It has been a privilege to start work here and to represent the people of Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill who have sent me here.
“The communities I represent were once part of the industrial landscape of coal and steel but, sadly, that is all gone. What is left is not enough.
“We have poverty and not enough housing. Our generation of children today and tomorrow have no real vision – they are kept on low pay with zero-hours contracts and are told to be grateful if they have a job. There is no opportunity for a house, as they cannot afford it.
“Our society is failing them, and the gap between the rich and the poor widens every day.”
He continued: “There is enough wealth in this country to close the poverty gap and close down food banks.
“As we enter Brexit, we could build a new United Kingdom – one that cares for all walks of life, for humanity, and that shows equality for all – no matter our race, colour, religion or sexuality, we are all equal. And everyone, from cradle to grave, deserves dignity and respect.”
Mr Gaffney spoke about his postal job and background as an official with the Communication Workers’ Union; he is also secretary of North Lanarkshire trade union council and was elected as a North Lanarkshire councillor just a month before winning the Westminster seat.
He caused a social media stir and caught the eye of Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn by arriving for his first day at Westminster wearing his postal worker’s uniform, and he told MPs in his speech: “I come here as a working man.
“My day job was with Royal Mail Parcelforce – it was also my privilege to represent my workmates. To workers today, I recommend you join a trade union movement – our strength is in unity.
“I will also declare an interest. Royal Mail was not for sale, it was stolen, and I aim to return this great public service to its rightful owners – the residents of the UK.
“We have a motto in North Lanarkshire Trade Union Council: ‘The past we inherit, the future we build’. This I will apply as I stand here for unemployed workers, disabled workers and tax-paying workers, of whom there are many more than the privileged few.”
Mr Gaffney paid tribute to his predecessor, having won the seat back from the SNP after their 2015 success, and to his party’s political history in his constituency and wider area.
He said: “I offer some sympathy to Phil Boswell, the man I have replaced, and to his staff. No doubt, Phil and his staff expected a longer time down here than they received.
“I follow the footsteps of many good people like ‘Mr Coatbridge’, the right honourable Tom Clarke, who served here for 33 years. I would also like to recognise another Lanarkshire man, the late Labour leader John Smith, who was the best Prime Minister we never had.
“However, the man I have come to follow was a working man who recognised that workers had no voice inside Parliament. Also Lanarkshire-born, he gave birth to the Labour Party. His name lives on through the Keir Hardie Society, of which I am one of the founders.”
Mr Gaffney was congratulated on his maiden speech – one of several in the same debate – by following speaker Mark Prisk, the Conservative MP for Hertford and Stortford, who said: “That speech was passionate and intense, and he was quite right – it was his moment to enjoy, and so it should be.” ● Turn to page 20 for Hugh’s monthly column.