In 1935, A. P. Herbert was elected to serve as one of the two members of Parliament for Oxford University. By tradition a new MP makes his or her maiden speech in the House of Commons on a noncontroversial topic. Herbert, hoever, seized upon the opportunity to make an impassioned appeal for reform of the divorce laws. Though many of his colleagues believed that his unconventional tactics had jeopardized the bill's chances, the bill eventually passed through Parliament. Among those who congratulated Herbert was Winston Churchill. "Call that a maiden speech?" he growled approvingly. "It was a brazen hussy of a speech. Never did such a painted lady of a speech parade itself before a modest Parliament!"