MP says he will make it his mission to get the best for Bassetlaw

Bassetlaw MP Brendan Clarke-Smith. Photo: London Portrait Photoqrapher-DAV

It gave me a chance to discuss my life and how I have come to find myself in Parliament.

Bassetlaw is such a large and diverse community that I could have waxed lyrical about it for a very long time, but as most maiden speeches are limited to five or six minutes I hope you’ll forgive my brevity.

Worksop is a fantastic place, but there are still many challenges that must be faced.

I spoke about protecting the town from flooding, investing in Bassetlaw Hospital and regenerating and attracting investment to the high streets.

This is easier said than done, but I will make it my mission over this term to achieve this.

I also want to work productively with with both Bassetlaw Council and Nottinghamshire County Council.

The story of the Mayflower is synonymous with Bassetlaw and its journey to the United States fitted in well with the topic of the debate in which I gave my maiden speech, which was Holocaust Memorial Day.

I also signed the Book of Commitment for the Holocaust Educational Trust, as well as attending an event marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in Poland.

As a teacher I took a group of pupils there on a trip and the experience is one that I will remember for the rest of my life.

This also gave me an opportunity to thank my predecessor Lord Mann for his service to the constituency and to wish him well in his new role as the Government’s anti-semitism tsar.

I hope many of you have the chance to take part in the brilliant local Mayflower 400 events across the coming year.

Finally, it filled me with great sadness to hear of the violent and fatal attack on footballer Jordan Sinnott in Retford and my heart goes out to his family and friends

I have since spoken with the police at length and raised the issue of violent crime and sentencing in Parliament.

We must not tolerate this in our society.

Nottinghamshire Police has just been awarded an extra £16.1 million in funding from the Government and I will do my very best to make sure that Bassetlaw receives its fair share of new officers.