NEW East Lancashire MP Sarah Smith used her maiden speech at Westminster to claim the government's Employment Rights Bill was the successor to the 19th Century Haslingden loom riots.

The Hyndburn Labour representative, who won the seat from the Conservatives by 1,687 votes on July 4, paid tribute to her predecessor Sara Britcliffe's commitment as the first woman to represent the constituency.

Mrs Smith told the House of Commons chamber: "Perhaps most significantly, my constituency was the engine of the industrial revolution during the 19th century.

"The invention of the spinning jenny, the mechanisation of calico printing, and the creation of turkey red and khaki dyes enabled the globalisation of the textile industry, but the huge wealth that the mill owners made was often at the cost of the workers, whose living and working conditions were terrible.

"I also represent the magnificent and diverse town of Haslingden, whose coat of arms reads 'Nothing without Labour'.

"That motto was a statement of solidarity: in 1826, amid loom-breaking riots in East Lancashire, hundreds of people in Haslingden attacked machinery in protest at pay cuts and their awful working conditions.

"Many perished due to poverty and hardship but, by 1850 and with the support of churches and reformers, a minimum wage was eventually introduced.

"We stand in this Chamber almost 200 years later, and although things have of course improved hugely, too many of my constituents are still struggling to make ends meet with zero-hours contracts, low wages and insecure work.

"While in the 19th century, workers had to literally fight for basic rights, we now — thanks to trade unions and the Labour party — have representation of working people in this more civil way.

"That is why I welcome this bill, which strengthens employees’ rights, stops the exploitative use of zero-hours contracts and, importantly, gives people the right to maternity and paternity pay from day one."

Mrs Smith also paid tribute to previous Labour MP Graham Jones - ditched by Labour as its candidate in her favour shortly before polling day - saying: "Graham is the most fierce champion of Lancashire: he has fought tirelessly for the people of Hyndburn, and is a man you always want in your corner.

"With the North-West of England being scourged with gambling-related suicides, particularly among young men, Graham led the successful campaign to reduce the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals from £100 to just £2.

"That campaign will undoubtedly have saved and improved many lives."