The doc's a hit on air and in the Commons

Most members are keen to get to their feet in the chamber as quickly as possible - particularly as the date is logged next to their name for all eternity in Parliamentary records.

And, as the weeks and months roll by, they can become increasingly nervous as they wait to catch the eye of Speaker Michael Martin.

But, almost as important, is another type of maiden speech - on Radio 4's Today programme.

The early morning broadcast is essential listening for politicos everywhere, and it is something of an honour for MPs to be asked to give their views live on air.

So Dr Richard Taylor should be pleased with himself. He was asked within a matter of days for his thoughts on Government plans to bar violent patients from receiving treatment on the NHS.

Early-morning listeners said he did a fine job - pointing out the warnings of the latest headline-grabbing scheme in a perfect 10-second soundbite.

This will not, it is fair to assume, be his last appearance in front of the Today programme microphone - even of it does mean waking up with the lark.

Meanwhile, outspoken MPs with a reputation for giving the Government a bloody nose have high hopes for Dr Richard Taylor.

One of them, Liberal Democrat Norman Baker, gave him a rousing welcome to the Commons this week.

In the first Parliamentary debate of the new session, Mr Baker said: ''I am glad that we have an MP for Wyre Forest who has a different perspective on life. That is great; that is diversity.

''We do not want just three opinions representative of the three parties expressed regularly and monotonously in the House.

''We need an independent streak, and must make sure that people are free to speak their minds.''

The two men already have something in common - they have both brought down a Government Minister.

Mr Baker's scalp is even greater than that of David Lock. He started the chain of events that led to Peter Mandelson resigning (for the second time) over the Hinduja passports affair.