header-logo header-logo

Maiden speeches: an unnecessary distraction?

19 March 2020 / Neil Parpworth
Issue: 7879 / Categories: Features , Public , Constitutional law
printer mail-detail
17921
Neil Parpworth believes maiden speeches in the House of Commons in their current form are an extravagance which ought to come to an end

As a result of the 12 December 2019 General Election, 140 new MPs were elected to the House of Commons. This was rather more than in 2017 (87 new MPs), but less than in 2015 (177 new MPs). Provided that a new MP takes the oath or affirmation, they are able to participate in parliamentary proceedings and will have the opportunity in due course to deliver a ‘maiden speech’. In the House of Commons briefing note ‘Maiden Speeches: guidance for new Members’ (December 2019), it is stated that this “will be an important personal moment and a significant event in your parliamentary career”, such that a specially printed copy of the speech can be obtained from Hansard. It is open to question, however, whether this long-established tradition ought to be allowed to continue in the 21st century House of Commons.

Making a maiden

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
back-to-top-scroll