'I'll fight to keep Banks's,' says new Wolverhampton MP in his maiden speech
A new MP has vowed he will fight to retain Banks's Brewery in Wolverhampton during his maiden speech.
Warinder Juss, elected as MP for Wolverhampton West at the General Election on July 4, was second of the 335 newly-elected MPs to make his first speech in Parliament.
Mr Juss recalled how former prime minister David Lloyd George, who led a national Liberal-Conservative coalition, began his 1918 general election campaign in Wolverhampton, promising 'homes fit for heroes'.
"He demanded better homes and said: 'What is our task? To make Britain a fit country for heroes to live in',” Mr Juss told the Commons.
"I echo that sentiment and have every confidence that the Government will deliver a significant boost to house building - especially, I hope, council housing – just as they did in the 1920s and the 1960s. "
"Less than 25 years ago, it was possible to allocate a one-bedroom Wolverhampton council flat in less than 48 hours. Now it seems that, as in so many parts of the country, the waiting list is nearer 48 months. We desperately need a mass programme to build council housing, which is an investment for the future."
During the eight-minute speech, Mr Juss told how he had arrived in Wolverhampton from East Africa as a four-year-old boy, and how his father had worked on a laser machine for Guy Motors.
"Wolverhampton has a long and proud tradition of manufacturing. It was formerly home to renowned companies Sunbeam Motor Car Company – which held the land speed record – and Guy Motors.
"The constituency also contains the headquarters of Marston’s, a big pub chain whose brewery is being sold to Carlsberg this month. I wish to work with others to encourage Marston’s to continue our city’s 149-year tradition as a major brewing location."
He praised the work of The Haven women's refuge and the Refugee and Migrant Centre, and mentioned the nationally important pop art collection at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
Mr Juss paid tribute to his predecessors Stuart Anderson, who is now the Conservative MP for South Shropshire; Jenny Jones and Rob Marris.
He also referred to former Wolverhampton South West MP Enoch Powell, and said community relations in the city had improved markedly since the days of his infamous 'Rivers of Blood' speech.
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