Barnsley MP from Halesowen gives maiden speech in House of Commons
Stephanie Peacock – the Barnsley East MP from Halesowen – paid tribute to her parents in her maiden speech in the Commons.
Miss Peacock, 30, also thanked her mentor and ex-Black Country and Staffordshire MP Sylvia Heal during the session.
She was elected last month after replacing Michael Dugher.
She said: "I am particularly proud to be the first female MP for Barnsley East, but I would not be here without the help and encouragement of a former female member, Sylvia Heal, who sat in your chair for many years, Madam Deputy Speaker, as you will remember.
"I am delighted that she is here today, along with my parents. I am the daughter of a midwife and a care worker, and I owe them huge thanks for all their support.
"For the past four years, I have been proud to fight for working people as an officer of the GMB trade union. As a Member of this House, I will continue that fight for working people, not least for the many trapped in jobs that are more precarious than ever before."
Miss Peacock – a former teacher and union official – worked in Ms Heal's constituency office when she was the MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis.
Before that Ms Heal was the MP for the old Mid-Staffordshire seat.
Miss Peacock contested her home seat of Halesowen and Rowley Regis in 2015 but lost to incumbent James Morris.
Her maiden speech came in a debate about the Grenfell Tower fire.
"Today’s debate reminds us of what we have fought for over so many years, of how the lessons of the past are still as relevant today, and of how, even now, not all communities are equal and the protection of human life requires our action in this House," she said.
"Many people will know about Barnsley’s history, and there is so much to be proud of, but still I have constituents waiting for justice for what happened to them at Orgreave in 1984. We must ensure that the Grenfell victims do not wait as long.
"In Barnsley East, our industrial and cultural heritage runs alongside our history of working-class struggle. It is appropriate that the town is home to both the National Union of Mineworkers and the famous Grimethorpe Colliery band.
"Our communities were built on heavy industry—glass, steel and coal. Mining was a way of life for entire communities. Some 30,000 people worked down the pits, and the impact of their loss is still felt today."
