New MP pledges to serve city's communities

FRED THOMAS DELIVERS MAIDEN COMMONS SPEECH

- ANNETTE BELCHER

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.