Maiden speech - Definition and Overview

A maiden speech is the first speech given by a newly elected representative in such bodies as the House of Commons or the United States House of Representatives.

Traditions surrounding maiden speeches vary from country to country. In many Westminster system governments, there is a convention that maiden speeches should be relatively uncontroversial, often consisting of a general statement of the politician's beliefs and background rather than a partisan comment on a current topic. This convention is not always followed, however: Australian politician Pauline Hanson's maiden speech is an example of one which broke the tradition. There is also a strong convention in some countries that maiden speeches should not be subjected to interruption or interjection, and should not be attacked or dismissed by subsequent speakers.

In recent times First speech has come to replace Maiden speech in usage.

Sample speeches

• Text of Richard Nixon's maiden speech to the United States House of Representatives (http://www.watergate.info/nixon/maiden-house-speech-1947.shtml)
• Text of Pauline Hanson's maiden speech to the Australian House of Representatives (http://nsw.onenation.net.au/policy/misc/phmaiden.htm)
• Text of Andrew Lloyd Webber's maiden speech to the British House of Lords (http://www.musicaltheatre.org.uk/biographies/speech.htm)