 In the 1950 general election Balfour was re-elected with a majority increased to over 4,000, and in the 1951 election it increased again; both were against the national trend.On 14 July 1953, Balfour finally broke eight years' silence in the chamber to make his maiden speech in a debate on industry in Scotland.As he began speaking, he explained that he had tried to get in to speak in other debates but found it so difficult that it was hardly worthwhile.