This afternoon Alexander Stafford, Conservative Member of Parliament for Rother Valley, gave his maiden speech highlighting the values he and his Rother Valley residents share, and those values he is bringing to Parliament following his election win in December. Previously the seat was held by Labour for it’s entire 101 years existence, but turned blue for the first time ever in December:
“the men and women of Rother Valley do not feel left behind – instead they feel empowered. Rather than being told what their lives are going to be like, or should be like, we have chosen a different path. A path where we will no longer be taken for granted – where our voices and our votes do matter.”
In his speech Alexander highlighted the values that he and all in Rother Valley share:
“that of hard work, law and order, family values, Christian morals – these are timeless, classless and ageless. These are the values of Rother Valley, and they are the ones that inspire me. These are the common values that bind this great nation together.”
Paying tribute to his constituency Alexander highlighted the variety of communities which make up the seat including Maltby, Dinnington Kiveton and Wales were all mentioned with reference made to their industrious outlook and strength of patriotism. Alexander also mentioned the various industries found across Rother Valley, both currently and historically, even recognising not only the collieries but also the Battle of Orgreave that took place here in the constituency.
“And you will never find a more industrious, hard-working, family loving, patriotic people than those across Rother Valley. We are rightly proud of our history, heritage and our culture. We are not a people to tear things down – we would rather raise them up.”
Throughout the speech Alexander returned to this theme of values of hard work and optimism. Alexander highlighted that while the term "Left Behind" has become commonplace when referring to communities such as those in Rother Valley, he has found so many residents to be ambitious and optimistic, with a strong sense of belief in their own ability to succeed if given the opportunity. He ended his speech by paying tribute to the people of Rother Valley:
“what matters in this House is not just the pomp and splendour, although these traditions are important, but it is the people we represent, the beating heart of our nation who put us here and whose very presence we honour by being here. Mr Deputy Speaker come what may, I will always be true to the people of Rother Valley, as I know they will always be true to Britain.”
Since being elected Alexander has made levelling up opportunities a core part of his platform, campaigning to see the South Yorkshire Joint Railway reopened for passenger services, a new PPE factory in Thurcroft and ensuring the Dinnington College campus is not left vacant. Beyond these, Alexander has also been committed to fighting fracking and HS2 while also working with community groups to help protect local community assets, such as the Maltby Miner's Recreation Grounds at Muglet Lane.
The Full speech is below:
Mr Deputy Speaker it is an incredible honour to speak in this debate and to give my maiden speech. Schools and the health and nutrition of our children is of paramount importance. No parent should have to worry about where their child’s next meal might come from, so during this crisis, it is right that this Government will step in to protect the most vulnerable in our society, just as they have repeatedly through this pandemic. Mr Deputy Speaker this is Conservatism in action! And although I know these are testing times for our country and our communities, I know that everyone, especially those in Rother Valley will all pull through stronger than ever before.
To many people the name Rother Valley focuses the mind on our beautiful Rother Valley Country Park – but to me and all who live there it is a selection of beautiful small towns and villages, proudly situated in Yorkshire, that are all wrapped up in their love for our country and their home.
We have a diverse range of communities as well from Bramley to Wickersley, Laughton-en-le-Morthen to Ulley - and even have our own Wales, but it is our industrial heritage which is a great source of pride in Rother Valley.]
Coal mining has played an important part in our area’s development, with some of the country’s most important mines situated at Maltby, Kiveton, Thurcroft and Treeton. Many of our areas have a long history of mining, but in Whiston, the mining of white stone was recorded in the Domesday Book.
However, our history boasts more than just our contribution to industry. There have been settlements at Dinnington since Neolithic times and at Anston since the Palaeolithic period. And there are other ancient settlements at Aughton, Swallownest, Woodsetts and Todwick. We have also had our share of historic houses, at Thorpe Salvin, Hellaby, Aston, and Firbeck, with the former owner of Firbeck being a source of inspiration for the novel ‘Ivanhoe’.
And of course, in more recent times it was in Rother Valley, outside a coking plant in 1984 where the infamous “Battle of Orgreave” took place.
We have strong farming areas also, around Harthill, and Hooton Levitt, and not to mention the majestic beauty of Roche Abbey which fell afoul of Henry VIII’s awful anti Catholic measures.
It would be remiss of me to give my maiden speech without acknowledging that I would not be standing in this House today if it were not for the love and unwavering support of my family and friends. My parents Theresa and James, who taught me from an early age that it is not where you’ve come from but where you are going in life that matters, my brother Gregory for helping to inspire me into politics, my daughter Persephone who was an unwitting campaigner during the election, and of course my wife Natalie who I owe this victory, and all other successes too.
My predecessor Kevin Barron, formerly “Red Kev” as he was known and more recently, Sir Kevin, was first elected four years before I was born and though I’m sure we would disagree on many things, his love for our area, and his championing of anti-smoking is to be much applauded.
But one thing that surely separates me from my predecessors is the collieries. Whereas all of them had close ties to the mining community, either working in or for those that did, mine are more in the steel community – also key to our local prosperity. But Mr Deputy Speaker times have changed. And as times have changed so have the people of Rother Valley. We look to a better, brighter future for our children and our children’s children.
Nevertheless, some things remain constant – and that Mr Deputy Speaker is what I espouse. The traditions of the Conservative Party - that of hard work, law and order, family values, Christian morals – these are timeless, classless and ageless. These are the values of Rother Valley, and they are the ones that inspire me. These are the common values that bind this great nation together.
Love your family, love your friends, love your country, love your Queen and love your God - and you cannot go wrong.
It is the contract of those that have gone before us and those that will go after us. These are the values that spread prosperity, wealth, and hope to billions across the globe. Britain, this small island nation, has a great history and through our values and ideals has changed the world for the better. And it is these universal values that will continue to improve the world. Mr Deputy Speaker, Rother Valley is not a huge place, but I know that each and every constituent can change the world for the better. We have done so before, and we will do so again.
It is these attributes that have driven the wealth of South Yorkshire and ultimately the wealth of this great nation.
In this House we often hear reference to the places that turned blue for the first time as being left behind. Well, I can tell you Mr Deputy Speaker, that the men and women of Rother Valley do not feel left behind – instead they feel empowered. Rather than being told what their lives are going to be like, or should be like, we have chosen a different path. A path where we will no longer be taken for granted – where our voices and our votes do matter. We do matter! And last December we spoke with one voice and just like outside Jericho, we blew the horn of hope and the Red Wall came tumbling down.
But I know that some voters lent me their vote for the first time - and I say to them, that I will not let you down. I will listen, we may have disagreements and different opinions but the first and foremost job of a Member of this House is to listen, and that is what I will do. No more will people be neglected and forgotten.
But as I look upon this House, whose very walls were crafted from the fine stone of Anston in Rother Valley, I am mindful of the words of that great barbarian king Gelimer as he was paraded in chains through Constantinople by Justinian’s general Belisarius following the liberation of Carthage: “Vanities of vanities, all is vanity”, for what matters in this House is not just the pomp and splendour, although these traditions are important, but it is the people we represent, the beating heart of our nation who put us here and whose very presence we honour by being here. Mr Deputy Speaker come what may, I will always be true to the people of Rother Valley, as I know they will always be true to Britain.
