Labour MP for Leeds North West Katie White delivers maiden speech

They were all mentioned in Parliament this week as Katie White made her maiden speech in the House of Commons as MP for Leeds North West.

The Labour MP also spoke of the great "community spirit" in Yorkshire, praised her constituency's "amazing history", and thanked the thousands of voters who had placed their trust in her.

She told the House how the area was "bursting with joyful community fairs and fetes, from Guiseley festival to Yeadon carnival and from Rawdon summer gala to the Arthington and Bramhope shows.”

Yeadon Carnival is a bright occasion (Image: Phil Lickley)

She paid tribute to her predecessors and pointed out that she was the first woman to represent the constituency.

Ms White said: “I am proud to be the first woman ever to represent Leeds North West, the place where I was born and raised, as were my parents before me.

"Seeing more women elected to Parliament than ever before matters. It matters to the women and girls across our communities - to Alice in Otley, Navdeeb in Adel and Chloe in Horsforth. We have not had enough female MPs in my home city, but we are making up for lost time. Leeds now boasts the first female Chancellor ever, so there is progress, friends, progress.”

Katie White delivered her maiden speech in Parliament (Image: submitted)

Ms White said she was inspired by her grandmother, Marjorie Simms, adding: “She challenged the status quo. She lived in Horsforth in the1950s. There were not that many women driving then, but Marjorie did. There were not that many women wearing trousers, but Marjorie did.

“Marjorie developed breast cancer, and most parents in the 1950s avoided talking to their children, but Marjorie showed them her mastectomy so they could understand.

“She died at 43, the age I entered Parliament. Marjorie did things differently and her spirit lives on in me. We have seen too much promise and too little delivery in recent years - endless debates about challenges, but a lack of energy for real solutions. Politics should be about action, not just words.”

She set out her green credentials, saying: “ In 2003, I joined the local Leeds branch of Friends of the Earth and launched a campaign for the UK’s first climate change Bill.

“Everyone told me that it was impossible; that it was too ambitious and too radical. There was no way that the Treasury would ever allow a carbon budget - but, friends, they did. We turned that campaign into the fourth most supported campaign in Parliament’s history, with cross-party backing from Members across the House.”

The historic 12th century church in Adel (Image: Anna Dyson-Clarke: T&A Camera Club) Ms White also waxed lyrical about her constituency: "Leeds North West has an incredible history. The stunning Norman church in Adel dates back to the 12th century; it is where my parents were married, where I was christened, and where my grandfather lies at rest.

"Further west is Otley Chevin. Members may not yet have had the chance to visit Otley Chevin, but we would not be here without it. The stone from the Chevin provided the foundations for this very Parliament when it was rebuilt in the 1840s. It should not be a surprise that it is Yorkshire that keeps this House grounded.

"In Leeds North West, our feet are always planted firmly on that bedrock, but our eyes remain on the horizon, ready to embrace the future.”

Otley Chevin was mentioned in Parliament (Image: John Shackleton: T&A Camera Club) Ms White highlighted the many industrial and business successes in the area, and continued: "There is no stronger pride than Yorkshire pride, and our community spirit is a great source of strength. However, as in many places, people are feeling overwhelmed and concerned about their future and that of their children and grandchildren.

"Many of the people I have met on the doorstep also feel let down - let down by politicians and by the institutions they have put their trust in over decades.

"I also share deep concerns about the other great challenges facing our community. Mental health figures are horrifying. The Global Mind Project has revealed that the UK has the highest rate of mental distress in the world and ranks second worst in overall mental health. People are working harder, yet getting unhealthier and unhappier, and of course, the climate and nature crisis looms.

"We need things to change; the country voted for change, and it is change that propelled me into politics. My journey began with the climate crisis. We know that if we get it wrong, we face disaster - particularly for the most vulnerable among us - but if we get it right, we unlock enormous opportunities for our society."