Ealing Times Article –November 2007

Virendra Sharma’s Maiden Speech

When Parliament returned after the summer recess in early October I decided to take the plunge and give my maiden speech on what was only my fifth day in the House of Commons. It was a nerve racking experience but one that I did genuinely enjoy.

Maiden speeches by tradition follow a particular format, firstly paying tribute to your predecessor and then introducing your constituency to the House. They are always heard in polite silence without the usual combative party political interventions.

I had chosen to speak in the debate on the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill and had initially been told that I had twenty minutes to make my mark in parliamentary history. So you can imagine my consternation when this got revised down to ten minutes by the speaker’s office and I had only a short time to cull half my beautifully crafted draft speech. I therefore have two versions of the speech and I am happy to provide any constituent with the full version in addition to the version in Hansard - http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm071008/debtext/71008-0017.htm       

Despite these drafting problems all went well when the big moment arrived at 8.29 pm. Having paid fulsome tribute to Piara Khabra I was then able to proudly introduce the unique place that is Ealing Southall to my fellow members of Parliament. With a twinkle in my eye and knowing that there would be no interventions from opposition members I suggested that some members needed no introduction as they had got to know my constituency extremely well in the recent by-election including the leader of the opposition who seemed to like Ealing Southall so much he had visited five times!  

However the real enjoyment of a maiden speech is to remind yourself and to tell others what a wonderful place your constituency is - with all its diversity, vibrancy and talent, all the incredible buildings, places, organisations and people that you have this immense privilege to represent.   

I was genuinely filled with pride as I spoke about the proud tradition and history that Ealing Southall has of welcoming new arrivals, as well as the community cohesion that exists, as numerous communities from all over the world live together in harmony and peace.

In conclusion I gave my reflections on the positive partnership that exists between Britain and India and on how it will benefit all my constituents. I saw this first hand on a recent Parliamentarians visit to India but that is a story that will have to wait for another column!