REDDITCH Rachel Maclean spelled out her determination to help her constituents and the Alexandra Hospital during her maiden speech in Parliament yesterday (Monday).
During her 11-minute speech to the House of Commons she pressed home her passion on the Alexandra Hospital.
“I want to reassure my constituents that the Alex and its service to patients and their families is my number one priority as their Member of Parliament,” she told the Commons.
“I will continue, again and again and again, to fight to protect and strengthen local health services.”
She also used the opportunity to pay tribute to her predecessor, Karen Lumley, stating that Redditch had a proud tradition of welcoming women MPs.
“Redditch has been fortunate to have had a number of formidable MPs among its previous champions,” she said.
“I pay tribute to Karen Lumley, who sadly retired due to ill health after seven years of dedicated service.
“She was an MP who fought on behalf of her constituents for the Alexandra Hospital, for apprenticeships, for mental health, and for fairer funding in schools.”
And she added people would remember her with great affection for her ability to bring colour to the House, with her varied and unique choices of hair colour!
Mrs Maclean was also honest about her own background, stating that she knew the challenges – and rewards – that faced small business owners.
“Redditch is a great centre for enterprise and business, with a wealth of manufacturing companies,” she said, but added she knew the sacrifices sometimes borne by business owners.
“I have been through the devastating failures that many entrepreneurs face, losing my home and livelihood before picking myself up and starting again. Anyone who builds a business will recognise that journey,” she added.
She also recognised that there were those in society who needed additional help: ” I look forward to working across the local community in Redditch to tackle mental health issues proactively and make sure that there is help on the ground where it is needed.”
Finally she paid tribute to the New Town planners who created Redditch as a green and pleasant place to live and work, also recognising the importance of the rural economy and farming to outlying villages around Feckenham, Hanbury, Inkberrow and the Lenches.
