Parmjit to make Maiden Speech

Parmjit Singh Gill MP, Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Leicester South, today makes his maiden speech in the House of Commons. The speech, which will follow in the afternoon of the Queen's Speech, will focus on the needs of Mr Gill's constituency as well as celebrate Leicester's cultural diversity.

Mr Gill will describe Leicester as "the most tolerant, multicultural city of Europe" and "a beacon of hope for race relations and peace, both for the UK and the world."

Mr Gill's speech is full of praise for his home city, and shows a man who is proud and excited to be representing the people of Leicester South.

In his speech Mr Gill will say:

"I owe a great debt of gratitude to the people of Leicester, who have given me the privilege of representing them. When they elected me, they sent a powerful message to this country. They want to restore trust in politics and trust in our politicians. It is a challenge for me and for all honourable members.

"I am honoured to be elected the first Liberal Democrat MP in my Constituency for over 80 years and further honoured to be the first Sikh Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament in British history, and the first elected Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament from a Black minority ethnic community since 1892.

"Leicester has been awarded Beacon status from the Government in 'Promoting Racial Equality' in 2002, and 'Community Cohesion' in 2003. It has been recognised as a model of diversity not only in the UK but throughout Europe and across the world.

"Leicester has academic expertise in medicine with teaching hospitals and the educational strength of the City is a major attraction with approximately 40,000 students at Leicester and De Montfort Universities, about 14% of the cities population. Both Universities are located within my constituency, as are a very large proportion of the students.

"However desirable Leicester is as a place to study....this House cannot ignore the fact that undergraduate students face a real financial burden from tuition and top-up fees. This is expressed repeatedly to me by hundreds of very concerned young people."

"Leicester South is a great Constituency and I shall passionately represent the ward areas of Aylestone, Castle, Eyres Monsell, Freemen, Knighton, Stoneygate and Spinney Hills, to the best of my ability."

ENDS