Q&A with Matt Western MP: Reflections on his maiden speech

Matt Western, Warwick and Leamington’s new Labour MP, attacked the Government’s policies on Brexit, housing, and public services in his maiden speech in the House of Commons on 12 October.

His speech argued against leaving the European Union without a deal, and urged the government to increase investment in housing.

Western said his constituents needed “a strong government ready to protect jobs, deliver a shared prosperity and enable all to flourish.”

In a press release, he added: “Since the vote, residents and representatives of the University of Warwick, Jaguar Land Rover and other businesses have consistently voiced their concerns to me about the impact of Brexit.”

“They tell me that they simply want clarity and certainty—urgently.”

As is tradition, Matt Western’s maiden speech extensively explored the constituency’s history. He mentioned former prime minister Anthony Eden, who was MP for Warwick and Leamington for 34 years, before resigning in the wake of the Suez Crisis.

Matt Western was first elected as a Member of Parliament in the June general election.

After studying geography at the University of Bristol, he worked as a general manager for Peugeot, specialising in finance and marketing, while also serving as a trustee for several local charities and volunteering as a careers advisor.

He is enthusiastic about coffee and cycling, and, like his party’s Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer, is a keen supporter of Arsenal FC. His partner, Rebecca Earle, is a history professor at Warwick.

Western was first elected for the Leamington Willes Division of Warwickshire County Council in 2013. Five weeks after winning his council ward seat for the second time, he was elected MP.

In the 2017 snap election, he overturned a 6,000-strong majority for his Conservative opponent Chris White, and became MP for Warwick and Leamington by 1,200 votes. The turnout was 73%.

During the election campaign, he spoke at a rally against the Government’s cuts to healthcare and education, as well as participating in hustings. Additionally, Jeremy Corbyn and Angela Rayner visited the constituency to endorse him.

Whilst Western did thank his Conservative predecessor, in keeping with the tradition for maiden speeches, he turned his fire on the Government’s economic policies, saying: “In his maiden speech in 2010, my predecessor stated that Warwick and Leamington had excellent frontline services. He was right: in 2010, we did. Seven years on, we do not.”

Conservative Chris White had held the seat since 2010, before being defeated by Western. However, he has sought to retain his political prominence in the constituency, recently taking part in a Question Time event at Warwick.

Q&A with Matt Western

What were your thoughts as you entered the chamber of the House of Commons as an MP for the first time?

I can honestly say that the enormity of winning the election did not hit home until the day of the Queen’s Speech. It was only when I put a question to the Prime Minister on Day 2 that I started to appreciate where I was and the scale of the task ahead. At the same time, I fully realised the immense honour that I would be representing Warwick and Leamington and felt utmost gratitude to people for placing their trust in me. Representing the local community is a very humbling experience and so I primarily feel a great sense of responsibility.

How has the actual experience of being an MP differed from your expectation of it?

The first few weeks and months are hugely challenging. You start with nothing and must build a team and establish an office the while dealing with casework and the needs of the community. Currently, there are a lot of people suffering as a result of cuts to services and welfare and this is resulting in us seeing a surge in casework. Elsewhere, I now appreciate what people describe as the Westminster ‘bubble’: there is a lot of talking, whereas I’m more used to decision-making and action. Parliament needs to be reformed and modernised to ensure real democratic action.

What advice would you give to a newly-elected MP who is about to give their maiden speech?

Wait. I could have delivered mine in June or July and it would have been 3-4 minutes long. Instead, I waited and spent the summer meeting more residents, visiting local businesses and organisations and that helped inform and hone my speech. It was longest of all new MPs and very well received here and afar.

Why did you choose to deliver your maiden speech on the economic threats of Brexit?

Brexit will define Britain for decades to come, though I also centred on the social as well as economic implications too. I did so because the majority of the community wanted me to and because I am seriously fearful of the economic, social and environmental consequences of crashing out of the EU without a deal. We owe it to the EU nationals who contribute so much to the local area to assure their rights and ensure they feel welcome. A bad Brexit will impact students particularly hard in terms of ability to work and travel abroad, as well as funding for excellent universities such as Warwick.

Would you back a second referendum on British membership of the European Union?

Not at present. Referenda are blunt instruments and I am against them in principle, particularly for such complex issues such as this. It should now be a decision for Parliament, not the Government, to vote on the deal that will define us for a long time to come. I appreciate that arguments for another referendum are often well intentioned, but I am also conscious of the huge divisions they often cause in our community.

You used to work as a manager at Peugeot. What made you switch to politics? For how long have you wanted to be an MP?

Life’s too short. I had a great career with Peugeot and was fortunate to work in Paris at a senior level. A colleague died a month after they retired and that made me reconsider things: I decided there was more to be done. I’ve always been interested in politics but it was only recently when friends and residents said I should put myself forward that I thought maybe I would. I have been a County Councillor since 2013 and was selected as a candidate when the Snap Election was called. I felt there was an urgent need for someone to stand up for the next generation and encourage their voices to be heard.

What are your favourite political speeches throughout history (parliamentary or otherwise)? Did you take any inspiration from these when writing your speech?

My favourite speeches are Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a Dream’ speech in 1963 and JFK’s inauguration speech in 1961. They were delivered with such passion and determination which inspired generations ever since to strive for a fairer world. I did not take any inspiration as such from them for my speech, though I hope to make many speeches in future and represent Warwick and Leamington to the best of my ability.