Sworn in
Black is sworn in as an MP at Westminster.
I, Mhairi Black, Paisley and Renfrewshire South, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors, according to law.
Lorraine interview
Black appears on the Lorraine show, where she reveals that her last job before becoming an MP was at the local chip shop. On finishing her politics degree:
It was hectic because I was studying – I had a really bizarre moment because I finally had time just to sit and (be) quiet in the library that is in the Commons, and I was sitting going, ‘ I’m studying for a politics exam in the House of Commons library ‘. It’s nuts but it’s good. Things have almost been timed to perfection because I’ve got one exam left and then that’s me done (with) uni and then we can start throwing ourselves into it and start delivering things.
On Westminster:
One of the things that we’ve constantly argued is the problem with Westminster, it has become a boys’ club and it has become out of touch and it’s filled with people who are quite often self interested rather than interested in people. So Parliament should be reflecting ordinary folk and it should have a wide variety of people in it and I think it’s great that we’re kind of seeing that happening…When you’re sitting there across the room from people who are wanting to potentially put another million folk in poverty, you’re thinking, ‘I’m not the one who should be worried, it’s you, you’re the ones that need to answer for things, you’re the ones that are forcing people to struggle’.
Vows to finish politics degree
Black says that she will continue to work on her politics degree, even though she has already become an MP. She still has one exam to finish and will return to Glasgow University at the end of the May.
I’ve worked hard for the last few years so I’m not going to chuck it now.“This is about making Scotland’s voice heard like it’s never been heard before and now we have got the chance to do that.
Becomes youngest MP since 17th century
Black is elected in the Paisley and Renfrewshire South constituency, beating Douglas Alexander by more than 5500 votes (23,548 votes to 17,864), a 27% swing. Alexander held a majority of more than 16,000 before the election. She becomes the youngest MP since the 17th Century.
The people of Scotland are speaking and it’s time for their voice to be heard at Westminster. I make this promise…that is exactly what I plan to do…I think it’s truly because people have awakened to the fact this Westminster establishment has not been serving them and the Labour party in Scotland has not been serving them, and they must’ve felt that Douglas Alexander wasn’t serving them. What people are looking for is that change, an end to austerity and the SNP were the only ones offering that.
On a second referendum:
This election, we have continually said is not about independence, it’s about making sure the Westminster establishment works to the best it possibly can for Scotland.
Mhairi Black born in Paisley, Scotland
Black is born in Paisley, Scotland. Her father, Alan, is a retired teacher. Her first political memory is of being taken to march against the Iraq war – mainly because her aunt gave her a huge cherry lollipop called a “frying pan” that hadn’t been available in Scotland for years.
Marching was magic! But what I did notice was, with Labour it had always been, ‘Oh, they’re the good guys.’ And I remember seeing that change.