The new MP for Chester South and Eddisbury, Aphra Brandreth, has praised her former MP father for helping introduce an act which brought much happiness in England.

Aphra Brandreth, who earlier this month became the Conservative MP for the reshaped constituency, succeeding fellow Tory Edward Timpson, gave her maiden speech in the Commons on Wednesday.

She praised her new patch, saying: "It is without doubt one of the most beautiful, extraordinary and inspiring parts of the United Kingdom, encompassing the southern wards of the great city of Chester, those below the River Dee, and many and varied villages in the heart of Cheshire.

"Audlem, Bunbury, Wybunbury, Wrenbury, Weaverham, Lache, Handbridge, Christleton and Huntington, Tarporley, Tattenhall, Tarvin, Kelsall, Cuddington, Farndon, Malpas – those are just some of the very special places with which you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and this House are going to become quite familiar in the coming years, I hope."

And she noted a key contribution from her father, Gyles Brandreth – formerly City of Chester MP from 1992-97, and now Chancellor of the University of Chester – during his time on the backbenches.

She said: "Chester South and Eddisbury has much to offer, from the glories of Delamere forest – which welcomes more than 750,000 visitors each year – to the excitement of Oulton Park racetrack and Peckforton Castle, the home of civil weddings in England.

"I say that advisedly, because it was the then owner of Peckforton Castle who inspired a former Member of Parliament for the City of Chester to introduce a private Member’s Bill that became the Marriage Act 1994.

"For the first time, that Act allowed civil weddings in this country to take place in venues other than registry offices, including castles, historic houses, hotels and Chester Zoo. Some might argue that that single piece of legislation has contributed more to happiness in England than any other legislation of its type.

"The former Member who introduced that legislation, who I know quite well – in fact, I have known him since I was born – reminds me regularly that his 1994 Act illustrates how, in this place, an ordinary backbencher can make a difference.

"I hope to make a difference in the years to come, not only by badgering the Government about delivering local bus services and improving mobile phone and broadband connectivity, and demanding that they back our farmers and ensure the investment and infrastructure our villages and city need to thrive, but perhaps by introducing legislation of my own in the fullness of time."

The new MP said, as well as drawing inspiration from her father, she would work with Chester North and Neston MP Samantha Dixon "on matters of mutual benefit to our constituents", and shared predecessor Edward Timpson's "passion for education and...concern for the care and development of young people".

Aphra Brandreth concluded her speech by noting that, according to the House of Commons Library, she is the first MP named 'Aphra'.

The politician added: "I am named after Aphra Behn, the 17th-century playwright, poet and author, who was the first British woman to earn her living as a writer.

"The great 20th-century novelist Virginia Woolf said of her: 'All women together ought to let flowers fall upon the tomb of Aphra Behn…for it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds.'

"What a privilege it is to be in this place, in the 21st century, able to speak my mind on behalf of my constituents across Chester South and Eddisbury."