“Mush, don’t be a squinny”: New Portsmouth MP introduces city slang to parliament while praising Pompey

Labour politician Amanda Martin taught her colleagues all about the city of Portsmouth and its heritage during her opening address on Wednesday (September 4). She won her seat from Penny Mordaunt in July in a tight political race which went down to the wire.

Politicians were debating the Budget Responsibility Bill - scrutinising the country’s finances - when Ms Martin made her address, stating that being in parliament was a “huge honour” and making her introduction was “deeply humbling”. She said: “This moment is not lost on me; I am filled with immense emotion at the thought of representing the place where everyone I love lives. Portsmouth is a city rich in history, innovation and, most importantly, community spirit and pride.

“It is also a place of firsts. Throughout our city’s storied history, we have been pioneers in many fields, be it shipbuilding, maritime trade or cultural advancement. Portsmouth has always led the way, and it is that spirit of innovation that I intend to champion while in this House.”

Ms Martin said she understood what it was like for a full-time job not to cover your bills, saying that “times were tough” when she was younger, with her dad working three jobs. The politician added that she was the first of her family to go to university and become a teacher. “I am so very proud to be part of a Government who will bring down the barriers to opportunity and tackle child poverty, working across Departments to ensure that all kids get the best start in life,” she added.

“Having been a teacher for 24 years, I know that not everyone has the start in life that I feel privileged to have had. Being allowed to try things and fail was a great lesson. My working-class background means that I sometimes seem a bit impatient. This is because I know that people from my background must fight harder, and do not often get a second chance, so they have to seize every opportunity as it arises.”

Ms Martin proceeded to speak about many of Portsmouth’s firsts, including the first dry dock in 1413 and oil-fired HMS Queen Elizabeth being built in 1913. She paid tribute to her predecessor Ms Mordaunt for her service to the city, particularly during her role throughout the King’s coronation - holding the Sword of State.

“However, the sword now passes to me, and I will continue her lead as I champion our Royal Navy and our great city, both here and at home,” Ms Martin said. “This is about pride. Pompey people are proud people. They do not shout about successes, unless they are in football. They rarely grumble—equally, unless it is about football. Many of them just get their heads down, roll up their sleeves, and get on with it, and many feel betrayed and let down by those who should have been there for them.

“As Alan Ball said, ‘This is Portsmouth, people went to war from this city’. It is a city that deserves the very best, and I aim to give my very best in representing and serving it.” Capping off her speech, she added: “I feel extremely privileged to have seven magnificent wards in my constituency, and to have lived, worked or had family and friends in every single one of them.

“They are all special and unique in their own right, from Paulsgrove, Drayton and Farlington to Cosham, Hilsea and Nelson, and Copnor and Baffins. They are also all very much Pompey, and when you walk down the street it would not be uncommon to hear, ‘Oi, mush, don’t be a squinny’, or ‘Oi, you loon’, or ‘din’. I stand here today not only as the Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North, but as a proud representative of a city that has always been full of firsts, and will have so many more to come. I will acknowledge that together as we work we may face times of choppy waters and, as they say in the Navy, ‘Fair winds and following seas’. And as they say at Fratton Park, ‘Play up Pompey’. Her speech in full can be found here.