Mhairi Black

Black's maiden speech on 14 July 2015 uses conversational humour about her age and circumstances before turning to welfare policy and an appeal for opposition cooperation. Her comparison between an MP's accommodation support and the government's treatment of young claimants makes an abstract argument personal and memorable. The useful technique is the pivot from a recognisable situation to a wider claim. Treat the comparison as rhetoric to examine, including its simplifications, rather than as a complete account of benefit eligibility.