Caroline Lucas

Lucas's maiden speech on 27 May 2010 uses the conventions of a constituency introduction to explain the arrival of a new political voice. A light comparison with Keir Hardie's clothes leads into an argument about ideas once considered radical becoming accepted. She then connects environmental policy to homes, transport and everyday living standards. Her distinctive approach here is to make unfamiliar political priorities approachable through historical perspective and practical examples, while retaining the courtesy expected of a maiden speech.