New MP for Macclesfield claims to have entered the history books as the first 'Tim' EVER elected to the Commons for Labour... but is there a catch?

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR

Published: | Updated:

A new Labour MP has boasted of entering the history books - as the first 'Tim' ever elected for the party.

Macclesfield MP Tim Roca used his maiden speech to reveal that the Commons Library had informed him of his surprising status.

And he quipped that his name had 'finally paid off' after sparking mockery during his childhood in the 1990s, when Harry Enfield's 'Tim Nice But Dim' character was on TV.

However, there could be a caveat to the claim to fame - as Mr Roca's first name is thought to be Juan, even though he goes by his middle name Tim.  

Macclesfield MP Tim Roca used his maiden speech to reveal that the Commons Library had informed him of his surprising status

Macclesfield MP Tim Roca used his maiden speech to reveal that the Commons Library had informed him of his surprising status

Speaking in the Commons earlier this week, Mr Roca said: 'After the momentous general election that we had earlier in the summer, lots of bright new Members are frenetically trying to make a name for themselves, so I need something to help me stand out from the crowd of new MPs. 

'The House Library thinks it has found it: I may well be the first Labour Member of Parliament to be called Tim. 

'As I grew up in the 1990s, when Harry Enfield was on television, being called Tim was a bit of a cross to bear, so it is good to see that it has finally paid off. 

'If being the first Tim is not enough, I will make do with being the first ever Labour Member of Parliament for Macclesfield.'

A number of Tims have represented other parties in Parliament, including Tim Loughton and Tim Yeo for the Tories and Tim Farron for the Lib Dems. 

Timothy is a variant of the ancient Greek name Timotheus, meaning 'honouring God'. 

Office for National Statistics records show it enjoyed a surge in popularity after the Second World War, featuring in the top 100 names for boys in England and Wales for several decades.

However, it slumped dramatically out of favour in the 1990s.

In 2022, the most recent year for which there are figures, just 104 boys were named Timothy, only one more than was called 'Maverick'. 

Mr Roca quipped that his name had 'finally paid off' after sparking mockery during his childhood in the 1990s, when Harry Enfield's 'Tim Nice But Dim' character was on TV (pictured)

Mr Roca quipped that his name had 'finally paid off' after sparking mockery during his childhood in the 1990s, when Harry Enfield's 'Tim Nice But Dim' character was on TV (pictured)

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