In his debut address as Prime Minister in the Commons, Sir Keir Starmer began by extending his congratulations to Sir Lindsay Hoyle on his re-election as Speaker. He acknowledged Sir Lindsay's leadership over the most diverse parliament in the UK's history in terms of race and gender representation. Starmer expressed pride in the role his party has played in achieving this diversity, along with contributions from all parties. He highlighted the significance of the current parliament hosting the largest cohort of LGBT+ MPs globally. Additionally, Sir Keir congratulated Sir Edward Leigh on becoming the new Father of the House and recognized Diane Abbott as the new Mother of the House, celebrating their contributions and milestones in parliamentary service.
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#KeirStarmer #KeirStarmerUKPM #RishiSunak #UKParliament #KeirStarmerSwornIn #UKPM #FirstSpeech #Commons #Parliament #Diversity #LGBT+MPs #RaceAndGender #SirLindsayHoyle #FatherOfTheHouse #MotherOfTheHouse #SirEdwardLeigh #DianeAbbott #UKPolitics #HistoricMoment
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00:00Mr Speaker-elect, on behalf of the whole House, may I be the first to congratulate you on
00:06your re-election. Those of us here in the previous Parliament will always remember the
00:13wonderful support that you provided to the former Conservative Member, Craig McKinley,
00:20and his inspiring battle to overcome his injuries from sepsis. All of those returning will remember
00:26as I do the speech he gave just a few weeks ago, which was inspiring and moving, and we
00:34wish him well. I had the privilege on that occasion to meet his family and his young
00:40daughter. That support, Mr Speaker-elect, was characteristic of your profound care for
00:47the interests and welfare of all Members, especially backbenchers. I am grateful that
00:54new Members will be able to look to you as they begin the great privilege of serving
00:59their constituents in this House. May I too welcome each and every one of the new Members
01:05who is here for the first time, starting their great responsibility.
01:10May I also thank Sir Edward for providing over this election, and congratulate him on
01:16becoming the new Father of the House. More than 40 years of continuous service is a stunning
01:24achievement. Now, back in the 1970s, Sir Edward wrote a book, described as, and I quote,
01:32a personal collection of quotations, dating from 3000 BC to the present day, which might
01:39be said to cast some light on the workings of the Tory mind. Mr Speaker-elect, after
01:45the last six weeks, I think it might be time for a new edition. Mr Speaker-elect, you preside
01:52over a new Parliament, the most diverse Parliament by race and gender this country has ever seen.
02:00I am proud of the part that my party has played in that, and proud of the part that every
02:04party has played in that, including in this intake the largest cohort of LGBT plus MPs
02:12of any Parliament in the world. And given all that diversity, Mr Speaker-elect, I hope
02:19you will not begrudge me for a slight departure from convention to also pay tribute to the
02:25new Mother of the House, Dianne Abbott, who has done so much in her career over so many
02:31years to fight for a Parliament that truly represents modern Britain. We welcome her
02:37back to her place. And now, as in any new Parliament, we have the opportunity and the
02:44responsibility to put an end to a politics that has too often seemed self-serving and
02:50self-obsessed, and to replace that politics of performance with the politics of service.
02:58Because service is a precondition for hope and trust, and the need to restore trust should
03:04weigh heavily on every Member here, new and returning alike. We all have a duty to show
03:11that politics can be a force for good. So whatever our political differences, it's
03:18now time to turn the page, unite in a common endeavour of national renewal, and make this
03:24new Parliament a Parliament of service. Thank you.