Member News
By Tony Grew - 22nd July 2011
Iain McKenzie, the new MP for Inverclyde, paid tribute to his predecessor during his maiden speech earlier this week.
The speech clashed with Rupert Murdoch's appearance before the culture, media and sport select committee on Tuesday afternoon.
McKenzie won a by-election on June 30 with 15,118 votes over the SNP's Anne McLaughlin on 9,280.
Labour's majority fell from 14,416 at the 2010 general election to 5,838.
He replaced David Cairns (pictured), a former minister who was popular with MPs on all sides of the House.
Cairns died in May at the age of 44.
He had been suffering from acute pancreatitis after he was admitted to hospital as an emergency patient eight weeks before he died.
McKenzie told the House that he is only the second MP for Inverclyde born in the constituency – the other was Cairns.
"David Cairns was an excellent MP for Inverclyde," he said.
"His parliamentary career was cut all too short by his sudden death, and I am well aware of the great respect that all parties had for David, as did the people of Inverclyde, as reflected in the large majority he held in the 2010 general election.
"If I can serve my constituents half as well as David, I shall be doing well indeed."
McKenzie spoke at length about the natural beauty of his constituency, its climate and 300-year history as a centre for ship-building.
"Our history is the history of the River Clyde—the lifeblood of my constituency," he said.
"We continue to be a maritime people, either seafarers or shipbuilders, and two of our most historic sons are connected in that way.
"One of them, the great inventor and scientist James Watt, who captured the power of steam, was sought after by leading authorities in industry; the other, the pirate Captain Kidd, was just sought after by the authorities."
He said his constituents are living in "the shadow of rising unemployment", with more than 30 people are chasing every job vacancy.
"That is an appalling and depressing level of unemployment. To retain and attract population growth we need employment, and a variety of employment, giving opportunity and hope, especially to our young people."
McKenzie's maiden speech was described as "eloquent and passionate" by his fellow MP Jon Ashworth (Lab, Leicester South) (Lab).
"Having made a maiden speech myself only two months ago, I can imagine the relief that he is feeling now that he has got through it and sat down, but his speech was excellent," Ashworth told the House.
"I am also pleased that I am no longer the new boy in the House."
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