NEW Banbury MP Victoria Prentis paid tribute to her predecessor in her first House of Commons speech.

The Tory MP was returned to Parliament at the May 7 General Election and increased the majority held by Sir Tony Baldry.

Sir Tony stepped down after 32 years representing the north Oxfordshire constituency.

Mrs Prentis paid tribute to Sir Tony and spoke of her pride.

She chose to delay her speech until last Thursday so she could get more time than the four minutes allocated to those who spoke earlier.

She said: “It is Sir Tony’s loyalty, decency and sheer hard work that will make him so hard to follow.

“North Oxfordshire is a beautiful place to live. I am sure many members can picture our river valley, rolling hills and medieval churches.

“The vast majority of my constituents live in one of our two major thriving and substantial market towns, Banbury and Bicester.

“Business is booming.”