MP’s 100th speech showcases Stockport’s sporting girls
The importance of getting girls into the habit of playing sport was the topic of Hazel Grove MP Lisa Smart’s 100th spoken contribution to the House of Commons this week.
As part of a debate on access to sport, she spoke about Olivia and her sister, who play for Stockport County’s under-8s and under-9s team, and are great examples of young girls who are really engaging in sport.
Lisa said: “It's really important that we support young girls playing so that they get into the habit of playing team sports.
“Olivia wrote to me because they're looking for some support with bibs and balls, which I'm working on, but I'm sure [Leigh Ingram MP] agrees with me that getting young girls playing sport and keeping them playing sport is a really important way of getting them in the habit for the rest of their life.”
The MP has hit 100 spoken contributions in just nine months, with her predecessor averaging under 30 contributions a year across almost a decade in the seat.
Lisa said: “For me, a really important part of being an MP is reflecting the experiences of people in the constituency to decision makers. Ministers and MPs have to hear real life experiences and the impact that laws have on them.
“That is why this week, as well as talking about Olivia and her sister, I spoke about Christine – a child therapist from Hazel Grove; about adoption pay, raised by a local resident Kirsty; and about the impact of investment in the North West on places like Romiley, Bredbury and Woodley.
“I am here to make sure local people’s voices are heard by the people making decisions that will affect them. And I will continue to do that for as long as I am an MP.”