BURY South MP celebrated the three diverse communities making up his constituency in his maiden speech on Monday, July 7.

Speaking in the budget debate, Mr Lewis introduced his new colleagues to the towns of Prestwich, Whitefield and Radcliffe.

"Bury South is the constituency where I was born, and where I have lived all my life, which is why I am proud to be standing here today," he said in the House.

"It comprises three distinct communities, Radcliffe, Prestwich and Whitefield, all of which, given their acute sense of identity, would like their own referendum on the devolution of power from Bury."

He described Radcliffe as an "old Lancashire mill town", with all the problems associated with the decline in manufacturing industries.

"Radcliffe has been designated a regeneration area," he told his fellow MPs.

"Its residents look with optimism and hope to the new Government to create economic conditions that encourage long-term investment and partnership".

He went on "Ainsworth is a small, picturesque and beautiful village on the edge of Radcliffe.

"Its community association is a fine example in modern times of community pride and shared responsibility in action."

Mr Lewis described Prestwich and Whitefield as "commuter-belt communities".

"Whitefield has sadly become synonymous with the M62 Relief Road," he went on.

"To date, that abandoned road scheme has cost £25-£30 million of taxpayers' money, blighted a once-pleasant residential area and exposed incompetence of the highest order in both the Department of Transport and the Highways Agency." Mr Lewis also described how problems at Prestwich Hospital had highlighted failures in community care - a policy he is a "passionate supporter of".

"Prestwich is also proud to have a new partnership between business, the voluntary sector and the local authority," he said.

"Another distinctive element in my constituency is harmony and mutual respect between the different faith communities," Mr Lewis added.

"Bury South has one of the most vibrant and thriving Jewish communities in Britain. "

Mr Lewis then turned to the plight of local schools, with their fine reputation and low budgets.

"Bury has achieved national acclaim for its innovative work involving young people," he said.

"Sadly, over a number of years, that imaginative and innovative work has been undermined by budget cuts far worse than those in similar authorities," he said.

"We are realistic about public spending constraints, but simply request that we receive a fair share of the existing cake," he said. "The quality of local children's education now depends on it."

Mr Lewis rounded off his maiden speech with the traditional tribute to his predecessor, David Sumberg.

"In my case that is not difficult," said Mr Lewis. "Our differences were always political and never personal.

"David Sumberg was regarded as a decent parliamentarian by members on both sides of the house. Many will remember him as a Ronnie Corbett lookalike."

Mr Lewis praised Mr Sumberg for his work on the Foreign Affairs select committee, which he said showed his "sharp brain and strong commitment to the integrity of the select committee process".

He also recalled Mr Sumberg's place in history in the televising of Parliament, when he sat directly behind Sir Geoffrey Howe when he made the speech which led to the downfall of Mrs Thatcher.

A maiden speech is never without touches of humour, and Mr Lewis was suitably self-deprecating in his.

Early in his speech he touched on the new regulatory body in banking and the city.

"I congratulate my Right Honourable friend the Chancellor on his appointment of Mr Howard Davies to head the new regulatory body," said Mr Lewis.

"Any man who, like me, has suffered a life-long, passionate and traumatic relationship with Manchester City Football Club deserves recognition for staying power and stress-management skills, if nothing else."

Mr Lewis also said he hoped new regulations would ensure nothing like the BCCI crash ever happened again - the bank collapse cost Bury Council £6.5 million.

He ended up by saying that the people of Bury South would welcome the budget.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.