New Welsh MP starts his 'top job' with maiden speech

No notes: Nick Thomas-Symonds MP making his maiden speech

Torfaen Labour MP Nick Thomas-Symonds has become the first of the new intake of Welsh MPs to make his maiden speech in the House of Commons.

The new MP followed the tradition of maiden speeches. His was short, relatively uncontroversial, focused on his constituency and included a generous tribute to his predecessor.

That predecessor was Paul Murphy, former secretary of state for both Wales (twice) and Northern Ireland. "Above all," said Mr Thomas-Symonds, "Paul never forgot whilst holding these great offices on the national stage that his most important priority was always the people of the Eastern Valley."

He had done work experience for Mr Murphy in 1997, after which the then MP wrote a reference suggesting Mr Thomas-Symonds would one day end up with a "top job".

A lawyer, lecturer and political biographer before his election, the new Torfaen MP said he had been given a lot of advice since arriving at Westminster; the one that stuck in his mind was simply to "be yourself".

He said he took his inspiration from the Labour government of 1945-51 and "its central political lesson that politics is ultimately about constructive achievement for people".

He also took another lesson from Clement Attlee, prime minister in that government: "Democracy is about government by discussion but it only works if you can stop people talking."

He added: "But it is to talk for Torfaen that I am in this place, a central duty and one I will never forget."

Mr Thomas-Symonds spoke without notes - no easy challenge for a maiden speech in the House of Commons. Shadow Culture Secretary Chris Bryant said he had delivered his speech "with panache".

I hope to feature the maiden speeches of the other 10 new Welsh MPs here as they are delivered over the coming days.