The parliamentary system âis not workingâ and it âreeks of privilegeâ, potential Labour leadership contender Lisa Nandy has said.
Ms Nandy spoke in the Commons on Tuesday afternoon to move the motion to re-elect Sir Lindsay Hoyle as Commons Speaker.
She is seen as a possible centre-left replacement for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has said he will step down early next year following the partyâs poor showing in the General Election.
Reeks of privilege
Ms Nandy echoed the words of defeated Labour MP Laura Pidcock â who herself was seen as a potential leadership candidate from the left of the party before she lost her seat â in her speech.
The Wigan MP told the Commons: âWhen I arrived in this place nearly 10 years ago as a newly-elected MP it was a daunting experience.
âFor those of us who havenât spent most of our lives in buildings like these, it can be incredibly overwhelming.
âAnd as the former member for North West Durham (Laura Pidcock) said when she arrived, âthis place reeks of privilege and finding your confidence and your voice for your constituents takes practice and it takes timeâ.â
The system is not working
She added: âMany of us have known for some time in this place that the system is not working. Iâve had those conversations in the division lobbies and behind closed doors with members of parliament from all political parties.
âWe can feel the ground crumbling beneath our feet. We have seen and we have felt and we must give voice to it.
âAnd that is why I am relieved, I am proud, and I am honoured to propose that Lindsay Hoyle takes the chair today.â
Ordinary voters
Earlier, Ms Nandy said Sir Lindsay represented ordinary voters who often feel they âcannot wield powerâ.
She said: âWhat does it say about people in those communities, communities that have just sent shockwaves through the political system, many changing hands for the first time in 100 years.
âWhat does it say that they see Parliament as a whole as a bastion of privilege where ordinary people like them cannot wield power?
âSo for all of us in this House whether weâve won or weâve lost we have done this place a service by electing someone to be our face, and our voice, who people â many miles distant from here â see as one of their own.â
Dennis Skinner
She also joked about Labour veteran Dennis Skinner, who lost his Bolsover seat after 49 years.
She said: âMany of us on this side are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend from this place the former MP for Bolsover.
âBut it is a comfort to know that Lindsay has a cat named Dennis Skinner.
âAnd be reassured that he never picks sides, he also has a parrot called Boris.â