Nadia Whittome MP’s Maiden Speech

I made Nadia Whittome’s maiden Commons speech into a poem. Here it is:

“I’m here through solidarity 
and hard work in my town
I want to say to Nottingham:
‘I will not let you down’

I’ll represent this burning earth
– a planet we must save
To speak up for a generation
outward-faced and brave

For if we don’t stop climate change
the price we’ll pay is steep
And if you do not let us dream
then we won’t let you sleep 

When fire crews go to food banks, when
kids live below the line 
When health and care staff get their pay rise
that’s when I’ll take mine

I’m here to represent the workers
not for pomp or splendour 
I don’t feel welcome here because
my class, my colour, gender

Our protests are not youthful whims
but passions running deep
And if you do not let us dream
then we won’t let you sleep 

I’m here to speak for people like
the mum who lives next door 
Who does not eat hot meals because
her children need them more

The teenager who dealt some weed
now sleeps in prison’s bed
While drug use on the Tory benches
seems to boost their cred

A missing welfare cheque away
from sleeping on the street
And if you do not let us dream
then we won’t let you sleep 

A job without a decent wage
is work that keeps you poor
And sends your kids to bed so hungry
skint and insecure

So I support those battling back
they fight for all our futures
Deliveroo and Uber drivers
striking college tutors

A Queen’s Speech full of promises
we know that you won’t keep
And if you do not let us dream
then we won’t let you sleep 

So bum boys, letterboxes, all
unite and we will reap
For if you do not let us dream
we will not let you sleep”

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Read the full text of Nadia’s speech here:
https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2020-01-20/debates/246E9FDE-1333-421A-A696-0D2A976122D7/EconomyAndJobs#contribution-6241FE0A-CBC4-4748-81AC-B6267444EAEE


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