Marie Tidball MP delivers 'love letter' to Sheffield and Barnsley in maiden House of Commons speech

Dr Marie Tidball, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, made her speech during discussions on the Employment Rights Bill, which the MP dubbed the “biggest upgrade to worker’s rights in a generation”, in the Commons on Monday.

“My maiden speech is a love letter to our consituency,” she said. “Our local communities nurtured me growing up, and now it’s the honour of my life to be elected your MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge.

“As your MP I will work hard every day to give back to the place that made me, and be a strong voice for our communities, ensuring people growing up and growing old in our constituency can fulfil their potential.”

In the speech, Dr Tidball paid tribute to local public services, including NHS care at Sheffield Childrens’ and Barnsley hospitals, and local state education in Penistone.

She said the area has “rich agricultural heritage putting food on the country’s table, and grit and determination of local miner’s, the steelworks in Stocksbridge and ironworks in Thorncliffe power[ing] the industrial revolution”.

“Talent bursts forth in our constituency out of the dramatic landscape, gruelling weather, and lives hard-worked and hard-won,” she told the house.

Mentions for Grenoside’s Helen Sharman (the first British citizen to go to space), Penistone’s John Stones (England and Manchester City footballer) and the Arctic Monkey’s Alex Turner highlighted the successful, talented individuals from the area.

Dr Tidball ended the speech with a direct address to people in Penistone and Stocksbridge.

She said: “It is the privilege of my life to serve you. As your MP, I will work hard every day to be a strong voice for our communities and ensure that people growing up and growing old in our constituency can fulfil their potential.

“I will do what it takes to get things right and to get things done. We are a Government who will restore hope across our communities and bring people together.”

Dr Tidball was elected a member of parliament for the first time in July 2024, winning the constituency from the Conservatives and becoming the first MP for the area in over 100 years to have grown up there.

She has made a quick start to her parliamentary career, winning election to become chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Autism and an officer of the APPG for Steel and Metal-Related Industries.