Tory MP praises Lembit Opik (sort of)

David Cornock|09:53 UK time, Wednesday, 21 July 2010

The last of the newly-elected Welsh Tory MPs has made his maiden speech in the Commons.

Glyn Davies made his debut shortly before 10 o'clock last night in a debate on the role of backbenchers.

His speech followed the convention of saying nice things about his constituency and his predecessor.

The latter must have been a challenge as relations between Lembit Opik and Glyn Davies have not been that cordial of late.

This is what Mr Davies told MPs: "My immediate predecessor was Lembit Öpik, and I want to pay tribute to him. He was a man of great talent in many, many areas of activity-and I must say that in some areas he achieved a level of excellence that I am sure I will not be able to match. He served his constituents very well, however, and I wish him well in his new chosen careers."

Warm words, perhaps - carefully chosen, certainly. Mr Davies's most recent blogpost, accuses his predecessor of trying to undermine him through "sly" and "devious" behaviour.