Answering 999 calls, George Stephenson and the social care crisis: What three new North East MPs said in maiden speeches

A new North East MP has said how she'd "have the backs" of former colleagues taking 999 calls at North East Ambulance Service.

In her maiden speech in the House of Commons, new Labour MP for Cramlington and Killingworth Emma Foody spoke of a previous role in the health service, while also paying tribute to railway pioneer George Stephenson who "learned in his trade" in the constituency. She was not the only MP from our region to mention the Stephenson family, who featured in Sam Rushworth's maiden speech, too.

Mr Rushworth, the new Labour MP for Bishop Auckland, highlighted how Stephenson's Rocket was invented in Shildon, the town in his constituency which retains a strong link to the railway industry. He also spoke of how the decline of "northern heartlands" like Bishop Auckland had been "accepted" for too long.

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A third new North East MP - Joe Morris the Labour representative for Hexham - also made his first speech on Friday. Like his colleagues, Mr Morris paid tribute to his predecessor, and drew attention to the housing and social care crises affecting people living in his constituency.

There remain a number of North East MPs yet to speak for the first time in the House of Commons - with the huge intake of new MPs meaning these speeches need to be staggered over the new parliament's first few weeks.

Ms Foody, previously assistant general secretary of the Co-Operative Party, spoke during the debate on the King's Speech, which lays out the Government's planned programme. She said: "As a former shop worker, and a trade unionist and Co-operative Member, it is pleasure for me to see in the Gracious Speech provision for the protections that shop workers deserve and need in order to make our high streets stronger."

She also spoke of Northumberland's cultural history, from Vera to the Geordie Racer. She continued: "There is a certain mention today for George Stephenson, the father of the British railways. Although the Rocket might be in Shildon, he learned his trade and started his inventions in my constituency, where my ancestors worked alongside him to build our railroads.

"Colleagues may recall that in “Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?” [...] Bob and Thelma’s new starter home on a nice new estate was in Killingworth. We also have notable public art in the shape of a giant spoon, a herd of concrete hippos, and a Lady of the North in Northumberlandia."

The new MP has something in common with two long-serving Tyneside colleagues, too. Like both Mary Glindon and Catherine McKinnell, she went to school in Fenham. She said: "When I first got involved in politics, I was warned that it could be a boys’ club. Well, those people underestimate the girls of Sacred Heart high school, which all three of us attended. There, we were told in no uncertain terms that places like this are meant for people like us."

But Ms Foody's conclusion drew on her experience working at the hard-pressed ambulance service. She said: "I am particularly proud of the [proposed] measures to support our national health service.

"As a former 999 call taker at the North East Ambulance Service, I know how my former colleagues work tirelessly to serve people, often in the most challenging and desperate of circumstances. It is an honour to be here and to have their back in this place."

Mr Rushworth, too had spoken of Stephenson in the chamber. He said: "I have to mention railways. It was in Shildon, in the south-east of my constituency, where Stephenson invented the Rocket locomotive, making Stockton to Darlington the world’s first commercial railway line 200 years ago next year.

"It is inspiring to see the commitment of local volunteers who work together to preserve this heritage, caring for parts of the line and organising bicentenary events. Likewise, it was inspiring to see those who worked to save the Shildon Railway Institute, which was set up by working people nearly two centuries ago, with a library and school rooms to upskill the local workforce for the new industrial age."

Speaking about plans to support town centre regeneration, he added: "We have just accepted the decline of northern heartlands like Bishop Auckland for too long. I live in the town centre, where one in three shops is boarded up. Our local businesses are excited to see the powers that this Government will devolve to local authorities to compulsorily purchase some of those buildings. We will hand them over to businesses and we will get our town centres booming again."

Joe Morris from Hexham, like Ms Foody, spoke of his upbringing at local schools and paying tribute to "teachers like Alison Higgs, Robin Hodnett, Leanne Clarkson and Tony Webster" who contributed to what he said had been a "great state education" - and one he wished to help provided for all.

He also thanked his predecessor, Conservative Guy Opperman, saying: "Having contested an election against him, I know that despite the fact that we disagree on many things, he is an incredibly decent man.

"I was pleased to get to know him a bit during the campaign. I know that a high bar has been set for me as a constituency MP. He is considered on all sides of the House to be an honourable man and a good public servant. It will be hard to match his legacy."

The loss of Sycamore Gap's famous tree loomed large in Mr Morris's speech, too. He said: "I am in the unfortunate position, though, of being the first ever MP for Hexham not to be able to take visitors to see the iconic Sycamore gap, which we so sadly lost to future generations last year.

"But the wall remains, as does the beauty that draws thousands of tourists to the constituency throughout the year, supporting the local economy in towns like Haltwhistle—the centre of Britain—Bellingham, Kielder, Wark, Byrness and Otterburn."

However, his words were not all about beauty. He discussed rural issues for the farming community, the housing crisis and added: "We have a great local health service, but every single week, I see the need for long-term solutions to the social care crisis.

"Elderly residents in isolated rural communities are doubly disadvantaged, as they are hit by the rural cost of living premium and by poor public transport, and they are reliant on carers who are themselves struggling to make ends meet."

It is convention that new MPs use their maiden speeches to discuss their constituencies and "introduce" their area to the wider House of Commons, while they also tend to speak of their predecessors and what inspires them.