MP celebrates ‘fabulous people of Tamworth’ in maiden speech
Sarah Edwards said it was an honour to talk up the town
NEW Tamworth MP Sarah Edwards used her maiden speech to celebrate “all the fabulous people and places in Tamworth” as she vowed to find creative ways to support its regeneration through its priceless heritage and reflected on being the town’s first female Member of Parliament.
Sarah, who triumphed in the byelection to replace Christopher Pincher in October, said it was an honour to talk up the town last week.
She started by saying: “For many their primary concern is how they get through to the end of the month. Pockets are empty, cupboards are bare and many are filled with despair. I must apologise for I know a maiden speech should start with a more uplifting tone but I feel it would be remiss of me to forget my place as a voice for my constituents if I simply glossed over the present crisis they find themselves in.”
She then began to talk about Tamworth specifically and, with odes to the likes of Tamworth Co-operative Society, Heart of Tamworth, Tamworth Tap, Roasters, Christopher’s, Tamworth Castle and more, said: “I think it only right to pay tribute to many community organisations who have stitched together a supportive fabric that so many now rely upon and the threads which hold it together such as Heart of Tamworth whose hub provides a solace from that despair whether through the dementia cafe or food pantry. Like a quilt there is always a warm welcome.
“Tamworth and the villages voted for a prosperous future and for change and it is to my constituents I first wish to turn. I want to thank them for placing their trust in me to restore their voice in this house.
“I am proud to be Tamworth’s first female MP.
“Women have only been able to stand for Parliament since 1918 and to date just 563 MPS have been elected accounting for not even a full Parliament.
“This sets the recent by election victory, with the second largest swing since 1945, in an even starker light and one which makes me even prouder to have been elected against the odds. I draw a parallel with one predecessor, Brian Jenkins, who was also as a by election candidate elected against the odds in 1996 and to whom I am grateful for his support.
“Tamworth boasts a unique history having been fortified in 913 with the building of Tamworth Castle by Aethelflaed, the Lady of the Mercians, whose leadership legacy left behind this stunning heritage asset adored by the town and visitors alike.
“Our sense of identity is rooted in stories of the past and the historic market town is proud of its medieval heritage. With my own passion for heritage the honour of representing a place with so much tangible heritage is so hard to articulate but I intend to find creative ways to support the regeneration of Tamworth through its priceless heritage, and in particular its high street which so many people have told me needs regenerating.
“People like Sam, a female entrepreneur who runs Roasters and has been a staple part of the high street for over 30 years ensuring that you can always get a hot pork sandwich complete with the crackliest crackling you will ever crunch. Or women like Sarah who runs Christopher’s and provides the town with the gorgeous boutique hotel and restaurant. She kept the business going despite the turmoil that faced hospitality during the pandemic.
“Tamworth Co Operative Society is still an integral part of the town and has featured greatly in its development. Founded by philanthropist and social entrepreneur William Macgregor in 1886, it championed above all else fair prices and quality products for the poor and working class, flying in the face of profiteering shopkeepers at the time.
“It is also important as a Parliamentarian to be humble and not to brag about my constituency so I will refrain from telling the house that we are also home to Tamworth Tap, which won CAMRA’S best pub in the country.
“But a high street cannot flourish without people visiting and feeling safe and concerns of anti social behaviour and a desire to have a closer relationship with local police has made my constituents feel their town centre needs more visible policing. It is for this reason that I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor Sir Robert Peel, the distinguished Parliamentarian and first leader of the Conservative party who is known for his commitment to his country first and party second. He is a visionary who sought to improve the social system that supported communities and established the Metropolitan police force.
“The well known principle police are the public and public are the police being still to this day what makes policing in this country stand apart from many others.
“It is therefore all the more troubling that Tamworth no longer has a police station with a front desk or custody cells.
“Policing should be about community focus and accessibility, giving people a sense that police reflect them and their needs.
“Colleagues will know I am a devoted dog owner and as a former Crufts competitor I have set my sights on the much coveted highest political accolade: Westminster Dog of the Year.”
She concluded by telling the chamber: “Tamworth has such a rich, strong history and my constituents are rightly proud of this but reflecting on the current cost of living crisis and desire to live a life less burdened they rightly want where they live and the community they are part of to thrive.
“Tamworth voted for a fresh start and positive vision, during the campaign they were clear in setting out their priorities for change and having spent over a decade giving working people a voice in the workplace I intend to be their voice and champion.”
“Our sense of identity is rooted in stories of the past and the historic market town is proud of its medieval heritage.”