IPSWICH MP Chris Mole has made his maiden speech in the House of Commons – and couldn't resist giving his parliamentary colleagues an update from Portman Road!The new MP spoke in the House for the first time in a debate on local council spending – a speech that was heard in silence.

IPSWICH MP Chris Mole has made his maiden speech in the House of Commons – and couldn't resist giving his parliamentary colleagues an update from Portman Road!

The new MP spoke in the House for the first time in a debate on local council spending – a speech that was heard in silence.

As is traditional in opening speeches, Mr Mole mentioned the history of the town, the work of local authorities in Ipswich, and paid tribute to his predecessor.

"People in my constituency recognise the contribution that their councils make to their quality of life, economic development and as community leaders, " he said.

"Jamie Cann, as leader of Ipswich Borough Council, made such a contribution throughout the 1980s.

"At his memorial service, the people of Ipswich feted him as a man of the people, a plain speaker and a hard-working constituency MP, and for his many achievements as leader of the council.

"He will be sadly missed."

Mr Mole warned his fellow MPs that he would like to see changes to the way Parliament is run.

"I am not a great lover of tradition, which perhaps makes me ill equipped for service in the House, but I suppose that that makes me ready to join the ranks of the modernisers," he told them – as the Government's deputy chief whip entered the Chamber.

Mr Mole started his speech shortly before 8.30pm last night – just as the first half at Portman Road was coming to an end.

He could not resist telling MPs about the club's success.

"Hansard shows that it is traditional for the Ipswich MP to congratulate Ipswich Town Football Club on its recent success," he said.

"I hope that the club is in the middle of another one—at 8 o'clock, I understand, the score was one-nil.

I have no difficulty in congratulating the club, which has played a large part in my life recently," he said, reminding MPs that the by-election had taken place on the same day as Ipswich Town's historic home victory against Inter Milan.