NEWLY elected Plymouth MP Fred Thomas said he will use his position to help combat rising child poverty, improve waiting times at Derriford Hospital, and also improve access to sport for disadvantaged young people, in his maiden speech in the House of Commons this week.
Mr Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View, referenced his own principles as a Royal Marines Commando and said he would be guided by them, in his first speech in Parliament on Tuesday.
Mr Thomas said he was guided by his two principles that ‘a leader must be a dealer of hope’ and ‘the standard you walk past is the standard you accept’.
The Labour MP praised the tireless work of community groups in Plymouth Moor View, as well as Argyle Community Trust and Plymouth Football Boot Bank.
In a veiled rebuke to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s recent tone of gloom, Mr Thomas said it was the duty of Government to provide ‘hope’ as well as ‘service’.
He said: “When the chips are down, a leader must be able to step forward and give hope, and I believe that is our job in Parliament as well.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Sabine lands first RAF boxing title in nine years
THE first RAF national boxing medal for nine years has been claimed by a boxer from Plymouth. Corporal Jennifer Sabine, who is from Woolwell, emerged as the female under-50kg category winner at the England Boxing National Development Championships (EBNDC).
Perks off as Argyle are beaten by Robinesses
PLYMOUTH Argyle fell to an unfortunate 2-0 defeat to Cheltenham Town at Kimberley Stadium, in the FA WPL Premier Division on Sunday, with manager Ryan Perks sent off following a controversial second goal for the visitors.
Raiders maintain home record in friendly victory
IT WAS a hectic week in the world of the Plymouth Raiders, with the club having to pull out all the stops with Portsmouth Force being in National Cup action.
Nadal all poised for grand finale
Rafael Nadal will try to keep his emotions in check as he prepares for the final event of his professional tennis career.
Buttler wants to call on big guns
JOS Buttler has his fingers crossed Ben Stokes and Joe Root are keen on white-ball returns for England in a bid to get the “team back to where we want to be”.
Farmers to protest over inheritance tax
LARGE demonstrations by farmers were expected in London today as they fight to reverse \"absolutely unacceptable\" changes to inheritance tax.
Man jailed for arson threat on mosques
A FATHER-OF-FOUR who made a TikTok video threatening to burn down every mosque in Newcastle has been jailed for 20 months.
Starmer in call for 'respectful' ties with China
SIR Keir Starmer has said he told Xi Jinping he wanted “respectful” relations with Beijing as he became the first prime minister to meet the Chinese president since 2018.
Review into tree felling about to open
PANEL CHOSEN FOR INQUIRY'S INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS
'Don't ever feel you're a nuisance'
CANCER SUFFERER SAYS GET CHECKED OUT