Basingstoke MP Luke Murphy's first House of Commons speech

On Monday, October 7, Mr Murphy spoke in the House of Commons as the first Labour MP for Basingstoke.

He spoke about his commitment to campaign for “the delivery of our much-needed new hospital”, referring to his father whose life was saved twice by the NHS.

His commitment to improving healthcare services for his constituents was central to his speech as he shared a story of his father who has lived with Type 1 diabetes since he was 17, requiring complex and chronic care throughout his life.

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Luke Murphy - House of Commons (Image: House of Commons) “I’ve seen the NHS at its best, saving his life twice after two stays in intensive care just last year”, Mr Murphy explained, expressing his gratitude for the care his father received. However, he also highlighted the increasing strain on NHS services and the impact of this decline on families in Basingstoke.

“In the election campaign, no issue was more prominent in my conversations with voters in Basingstoke than their being denied the health service they rightly believe they deserve”, Mr Murphy stated. He highlighted the unacceptable delays in accessing urgent care, including long waits for GP appointments and hospital treatments.

My Murphy said he wanted to “restore the fundamental promise of the NHS for everyone in Basingstoke: that it will be there when we need it.” He committed to ensuring the new Labour government delivered on its commitment to “the return of the family doctor”.

The MP also highlighted the work of local charities such as Home Start, Basingstoke NeighbourCare, and Café Dome, praising the volunteers who dedicate their time to supporting those in need. He acknowledged the contributions of local businesses, large and small, from the AA and Eli Lilly to startups like Tomato Energy and popular coffee shops like Willows and The Gabardine, which drive the town’s economy.

He expressed pride in the educational institutions shaping future generations, including Queen Mary’s College and Basingstoke College of Technology. Mr Murphy also celebrated Basingstoke’s thriving sports scene, recognising clubs like Basingstoke Town FC and the Basingstoke Bisons, and pledged his support for their continued success, commenting that “both have been hampered by wilful negligence regarding their stadiums – issues which I am committed to supporting them on”.

“It is the passion, dedication, and generosity of the people in our community that make Basingstoke such a special place to live”, he stated. Mr Murphy committed himself to supporting these efforts and ensuring the town continues to thrive.

Mr Murphy also took the opportunity to celebrate the diverse and vibrant community of Basingstoke. “We have a vibrant and active Hindu, Nepali, Irish, and Nigerian communities – who make a substantial contribution to our armed forces, our local businesses, and our NHS” Mr Murphy commented.

He concluded by saying that “as a Labour MP, my guiding principle will be to fulfil the promise of this Labour government in restoring opportunity for all, whether that is through the NHS, education or tackling climate change.

"Opportunity is why so many people have made Basingstoke their home over the years, it is why they voted Labour for the first time just over three months ago and it is what my parents and grandparents worked so hard for, for my sister and I… I thank the people of Basingstoke for giving me my opportunity to serve.”