A CUMBRIAN MP has made his maiden speech in Parliament, using the time to highlight the importance of community in his new constituency.

Penrith and Solway MP Markus Campbell-Savours made his maiden speech in the House of Commons during the Building Safety and Resilience debate called in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 Report on Wednesday, September 11.

Mr Campbell-Savours began his speech referencing some 'truly great' parliamentarians who had represented areas of his new constituency as well as congratulating other new MPs in the chamber on their election.

The MP said it seemed 'apt' that he had made his maiden speech in the 'important debate' having been a former electrician, and leaving his career in the electrical contracting industry to enter Parliament.

Mr Campbell Savours said he heard a number of maiden speeches and did 'not wish to get into the unwinnable debate about whose constituency is the most beautiful' - instead hailing the many community organisations who work 'tirelessly' across Penrith and Solway.

He said: "I will just take it as given that my constituency that takes in the Solway Coast national landscape, part of the North Pennines national landscape and, not least, the north Lake district, including the Borrowdale valley, for which I have a deep love, is undoubtedly in the top 10.

"However, the real beauty of my constituency is not in its architecture, coastline, lakes or hills; it is in the people. When I was first elected as a councillor, I was taken aside by an experienced and recently retired parish clerk, who had a message for me: 'It isn’t politicians who run things around here—it is the community.' She was right.

READ MORE: Markus Campbell-Savours elected as first MP for Penrith and Solway | News and Star

"I am in constant awe of the tireless efforts that volunteers show in my community every day: the mountain rescue teams, who keep us safe on the fells; the Maryport Rescue volunteers, who run the independent lifeboat service on the Solway coast; the flood action groups, who hold our flood authorities to account; our community-led housing trusts, who excel in delivering homes in rural communities where larger housing associations fail; the community groups in Ireby, Hesket Newmarket and Nenthead, fundraising to save vital community facilities at the heart of their villages; our food hub volunteers; Churches Together, the Lions, the Rotarians and all the other groups that give so much.

"They inspire me, and this politician’s job must surely be to help them flourish."

READ MORE: Penrith and Solway MP Markus Campbell-Savours on first days in office