Teather speaks up for Brent in Commons

3.26.35pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 28th Nov 2003

Sarah Teather MP speaking up for the people of Brent

Local Liberal Democrat MP, Sarah Teather yesterday made her maiden speech in the House of Commons and pledged to fight for the people of Brent.

Speaking in a debate on international affairs the Brent East MP vowed to fight for Brent residents. The local MP referred to a number of issues that she is campaigning on alongside local residents, such as the future of local Post Offices, more police on the streets and improving local schools.

The MP also described her feeling of privilege that the constituents of Brent East had made her their local MP. The full text of the speech is available at http://www.brentlibdems.org.uk/recentspeeches.php

In her speech in the House of Commons Sarah Teather MP said:

"I am proud to be the first woman to represent Brent East or, as it used to be known, Willesden East. I am also the first Liberal Democrat Member to represent the seat.

"As the newest and the youngest Member of this place, my overwhelming sense as I speak is one of privilege. It is a huge privilege to be here. It was a huge privilege to be elected to serve the constituents of Brent, East.. I owe them a debt of thanks but also a debt of work. I will work extremely hard to repay that debt over the forthcoming years."

The Brent East MP also paid tribute to her predecessor Paul Daisley and praised his wife Lesley for the work she had done in setting up the Paul Daisley memorial trust.

The local MP added:

"I stand here today only because of the sad and tragic death of my predecessor, Paul Daisley. I never met Paul, but he was widely liked by my colleagues on Brent council and by politicians across the political divide at all levels. Those who knew him spoke of him as a giant of a man. They said that his determination and courage were matched only by his compassion and his concern for others. He made a huge contribution to Brent. His national political career was cut short but his local legacy lives on.

"I wish Lesley—Paul's wife—well. She has launched the Paul Daisley memorial trust in his memory, and I think that it will do great work in trying to improve the quality of life of people suffering from cancer and to raise awareness of that illness, which affects so many people and kills an enormous number."

Speaking about the Brent East constituency the local Liberal Democrat MP praised its vibrancy and its diversity. The local MP also spoke of the great need in the constituency and her concerns at the high level of crime.

Sarah Teather MP added:

"It is a constituency of great vibrancy and diversity but also one of great need. The wealthiest and the poorest live side by side in some of the most densely populated areas in the country. The crime rate is very high. The incidence of burglaries and violence is almost twice the national average. The incidence of robbery is six times the national average. Yet, despite the huge and real fear of crime, I have found in Brent a sense of community, welcome and openness that I have never come across anywhere else in London.

"It is said that 130 languages are spoken in Brent schools. There is a kaleidoscope of religions—Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist and Jewish. There is a large Irish population. I often comment that when I visit local community groups, I am as likely to be berated on international issues—be it Kashmir, the middle east, Iraq or the Eritrean-Ethiopian situation—as I am to be asked about local issues.

"Despite the debate to which I have referred, which is often heated and controversial, the different communities co-exist happily. The constituency is a model of tolerance and acceptance. "

Expressing the concerns of many Brent residents the Brent East MP said:

"I hope to champion many issues during my time in Parliament. Among them are the closure of local post offices, funding for local schools, the need for more police and general practitioners, and the need to campaign to ensure that councils are more responsive to local need."