Kemper Lectures
This is not only an honour for me personally, but for the City and University of
Cambridge. Churchill College Cambridge is the British national memorial to
Winston Churchill. Also, although I cannot personally claim the credit, I
have more Nobel Prizewinners among my constituents than any country except the United
States. In Britain we have more Nobel Prizewinners – principally in
the sciences – per head than any country in the world, including the United
States.
Very early in my decade as Member of Parliament for Cambridge, I attended a meeting of my constituents. I was the only person there who was not a Nobel Prizewinner. These are humbling occasions!
Only a few days ago I was canvassing in Cambridge – not in the University but in the streets, on the doorsteps, in shopping centres, and the council estates. There I was dealing, or attempting to deal with the daily and practical concerns of the people I have the honour to represent, whether they vote for me and my party or not. I am their servant. The difficulties and worries of the people of Cambridge are my concern, whether they be Nobel Prizewinners or a distraught family with a housing problem. I am almost tempted to relate to you the saga of the Cherry Hinton railway crossing or the saving of St. Bede's Roman Catholic School, or of the two young constituents who, wrongly convicted, I was able to bring out of prison to be returned to their families and their jobs.
But, I mention these episodes out of many to demonstrate my point – one should be able to understand the concerns of one of the world's greatest universities and those of people who have no connection whatever, with higher education, and who simply want – and deserve – a better deal for themselves and their families. I am a one nation conservative. In Cambridge I am a one-city Member of Parliament. I see no difference, let alone oddity, in someone who endeavours to be a scholar, being also a community member of Parliament.
Thus, in accepting this high honour, I do so on behalf of all the people of Cambridge – of all parties and of none.
I thank you deeply for the honour you do to Cambridge and to me.
Very early in my decade as Member of Parliament for Cambridge, I attended a meeting of my constituents. I was the only person there who was not a Nobel Prizewinner. These are humbling occasions!
Only a few days ago I was canvassing in Cambridge – not in the University but in the streets, on the doorsteps, in shopping centres, and the council estates. There I was dealing, or attempting to deal with the daily and practical concerns of the people I have the honour to represent, whether they vote for me and my party or not. I am their servant. The difficulties and worries of the people of Cambridge are my concern, whether they be Nobel Prizewinners or a distraught family with a housing problem. I am almost tempted to relate to you the saga of the Cherry Hinton railway crossing or the saving of St. Bede's Roman Catholic School, or of the two young constituents who, wrongly convicted, I was able to bring out of prison to be returned to their families and their jobs.
But, I mention these episodes out of many to demonstrate my point – one should be able to understand the concerns of one of the world's greatest universities and those of people who have no connection whatever, with higher education, and who simply want – and deserve – a better deal for themselves and their families. I am a one nation conservative. In Cambridge I am a one-city Member of Parliament. I see no difference, let alone oddity, in someone who endeavours to be a scholar, being also a community member of Parliament.
Thus, in accepting this high honour, I do so on behalf of all the people of Cambridge – of all parties and of none.
I thank you deeply for the honour you do to Cambridge and to me.