Maiden Speech...
- 1 June 2010 14:3354444I hear that Charlie intends to make his maiden speech in the Commons on Wednesday.
If I get any more information on it beforehand I will pass it on in case anyone wants to watch the Parliament Channel. - 1 June 2010 14:3454445I hope he speaks out in defence of Dover Port and says: No! to any form of privatisation!Chanters, Drums and Drones Potty Time http://youtu.be/99fMqpjnXYA
Rule Britannia!
Kent First http://youtu.be/04F3mAP3fV4 Keep banging on http://youtu.be/qYCU_SKmkGQ - 1 June 2010 14:3754446more importantly the border agency jobs.
he is unlikely to have any influence over the sale of the port, more likely to get the ear of the prime minister over the sackings. - 1 June 2010 14:4254451It depends on what topics are being debated, I suspect, rather than pick anything he likes. It will be interesting anyway.
- 1 June 2010 16:2554480Yes well done there BarryW..I would like to take a look and get a picture from it, all being well, so if you know when let us know. One can find the Parliamentary Channel strangely bewitching...
email: dover7@msn.com - 2 June 2010 09:5954551Just had a text from Charlie...
He expects to make his speech now on Thursday probably around midday..... - 2 June 2010 10:4554556thanks for keeping us informed barry.
- 3 June 2010 12:4854705William Hague is opening a Foreign Affairs debate (12.45) and I believe that it is in this debate Charlie will be speaking.
He is sat in the House a couple of places back behind William waiting to be called.
Any of you who catch this and can do so, tune in... - 3 June 2010 17:2054725Well Charlie was eventually called to speak at approx 5pm.
He was probably the most self-assured speaker of many maiden speeches in that debate. I have had it on in the background for most of the afternoon while researching!!
His speech was very witty with several laughs, talking about the White Cliffs and their symbolism - a mention even of 54BC and Julius Caesar's failed invasion in Dover (he had to go north to Deal to get ashore), 'we had good border security then' was Charlie's quip (or words to that effect)
Hellfire Corner got a mention (the area, not the weekend!) in relation to the DTIZ and the need for regeneration.
The threat to Immigration workers in Dover and his support for them.
The privatisation of the Port- he was clear about his opposition and said he wanted an alternative solution.
He made a big play on the need for a 'proper hospital'
He even made a bid for a George Cross!!!
Then he spoke about Major Bill Shaw, imprisoned in Afghanistan at some length.
He had only 9 minutes but packed a lot in with, as I said, time for humour that helped make an impact and impression - important that to build a reputation and get people to listen to you.
A great start in Parliament for Charlie and for Dover. - 3 June 2010 17:4454726Yes I saw Charlie's speech and very good too..with quite a bit of humour as you say, and he came across very self assured and as a very warm individual. He said all the things that were in his 'book'..anti the port selloff, we want a hospital, and the other items mentioned there by BarryW.
He also was very good and very fair in his references to Gwyn Prosser and he acknowledged that Gwyn had been a very good MP and that he would be..."a hard act to follow." Now that the bitter politicking is over I always think its fair to acknowledge such things. In fact it shows Charlie in a very decent light.
I managed to get a few pictures ( I think) but if Charlie would like to send me a copy of his speech as Gwyn/Jo used to do at these times,I will get it up on the frontpage in due course for all to see.
Thanks to BarryW for the nod that it was on....poor ould Charlie had to wait til near the end and it would have been only the diehard political enthusiasts watching at home who would have soldiered on through all the other speakers to get to Charlie.email: dover7@msn.com - 3 June 2010 18:1854732i was stuck indoors waiting for a delivery and sat through 3 hours of the parliament channel, gave up at 4 pm, assumed that i must have missed it!!!.
pleased to hear it went well and that he managed to get so many local issues aired. - 3 June 2010 18:2054735I too caught Charlie's speech.
Excellent it was too (and without reading from notes unlike some).
SWMBO described it as the most articulate speech of the afternoon and who am I to argue?? - 3 June 2010 20:2154776bob
are we to believe that yourself and your good lady wife spent a sunny afternoon watching the parliament channel? - 3 June 2010 20:2954779Howard, yes I'm afraid to say. I told her that Charlie would be on imminently (about 14.00) and that at that point I would accompany her for a walk around Deal!
About 17.00 we went to the end of the pier and back.