Youngest MP Keir Mather hits out at 'divisive politics' in maiden speech

Keir Mather was elected as Selby and Ainsty Labour MP in July

In his first House of Commons speech, Parliament's youngest MP has hit out at "divisive politics that seek to pit one generation against the other".

Keir Mather, 25, who was elected as MP for Selby and Ainsty in July, thanked constituents who he said had "put their faith in me to defend their interests".

Mr Mather was flanked by other recently elected Labour MPs as he delivered his maiden speech on Monday night.

He said he believed "Britain has a duty to become a leader again".

Known as the "baby of the House" due to him being the youngest MP, Mr Mather also drew attention in his speech to the fact he was born in 1998, a year after the last Labour government came to power.

'Make a difference'

Among his colleagues on the green benches for his speech was Michael Shanks, the Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP, who took his oath of allegiance earlier on Monday, his first day in Parliament.

Paying tribute to the people in his constituency, Mr Mather remarked: "As I said on the night of my election, I hope to be a representative of that power of young people to make a difference. But we won't do it alone.

"I was sent to this place by a constituency that is older than the national average, but who put their faith in me to defend their interests.

"That is because, in spite of the divisive politics that seeks to pit one generation against the other, in Selby and Ainsty we share our ambitions for our community and our country, and are committed to realising them together."

During his speech, he also said: "I have grown up in a world destabilised by the technological revolution, climate crisis and war, and I will live through a century of unparalleled global upheaval.

"In the face of these challenges, myself and other young people believe Britain has a duty to become a leader again."