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. In some bicameral parliaments of a Westminster System, the House of Commons has historically been the name of the elected lower house. ... The House of Representatives is the larger of two houses that make up the U.S. Congress, the other being the United States Senate. ...
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. The Westminster System is a democratic system of government modelled after that of the United Kingdom system of government and used in Westminster, the seat of government, hence its name. ... Pauline Lee Hanson (born August 26, 1954) is a controversial right wing Australian politician. ...
In recent times First speech has come to replace Maiden speech in usage.
Congressman Nixon's MaidenSpeech to the House of Representatives
Speaker, on February 6, when the Committee on Un-American Activities opened its session at 10 o'clock, it had by previous investigation, tied together the loose end of one chapter of a foreign-directed conspiracy whose aim and purpose was to undermine and destroy the government of the United States.
But we must bear in mind that the rights of free speech and free press do not carry with them the right to advocate the destruction of the very government which protects the freedom of an individual to express his views.
In many Westminster system governments, there is a convention that maidenspeeches 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'smaidenspeech is an example of one which broke the tradition.
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