The new MP for Airdrie & Shotts will “take no nonsense” at the House of Commons, according to her predecessor and now constituency colleague.
Anum Qaisar-Javed of the SNP won yesterday’s by-election for the seat vacated by colleague Neil Gray’s move to Holyrood – and he believes she will be able to make a considerable impact at Westminster.
He told Lanarkshire Live: “Anum is a fantastic candidate who will make a fantastic and very strong MP.
“I think she’ll be tenacious, she’ll be hard working and will be determined to stand up for Airdrie & Shotts at the House of Commons.
“She will take no nonsense down there and you need that strength of character at Westminster; because it’s a difficult place sometimes, when facing a rather large government majority, to be able to get your voice heard and to get across the issues you want.
“Anum has already shown during this campaign that she has what it takes to make a very strong MP and will speak for the people of Airdrie & Shotts, regardless of which way they voted.”
Mr Gray was speaking at the overnight election count at Ravenscraig sports centre – taking place hours after he had been sworn into his new role as MSP for Airdrie & Shotts at Holyrood’s inauguration ceremony.
He added of observing the ballot to fill his former role: “It’s strange and a little bit surreal, but it’s really nice to be able to support Anum and provide that friendship and solidarity on an important night.
“Anum and I can hopefully work closely together, in the same way that I’ve worked very closely with [retired MSP] Alex Neil for the past six years.”
Mrs Qaisar-Javed’s election was welcomed by Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, and SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford – both of whom joined her to deliver leaflets and speak to residents in Petersburn on the final day of campaigning.
The First Minister told Lanarkshire Live on Wednesday : “I’ve known Anum for many years – she’s an exceptional young woman and would be a tenacious champion for Airdrie & Shotts, who would knock down any door to stand up for her constituents.
“She’s a young Muslim woman, so what her election would mean for the overall diversity of Scottish politics would be thoroughly positive; but first and foremost she would be a first-class champion, advocate and representative.”
Westminster leader Mr Blackford said: “Anum is bright, keen, energetic and will bring a fresh face and fresh voice to the constituency, and I’m sure she’ll be a powerful voice for Airdrie & Shotts in the parliament.
“I’m ambitious for what she can achieve aned have already had conversations with her about what I’d like her to do – but I know she’s going to be a first-class representative, and you can see she has support not just locally but from the party at large.
“Whether it’s the First Minister in Edinburgh or myself as Westminster leader, we’re here to support her to make sure she has everything she needs to get on and do the job and use her voice in parliament, and we’ll encourage her to do that.”
He added: “It’s important to see the seat represented by somebody like her, and she’ll be a colleague who can stand up for Airdrie & Shotts and for Scotland.
“I’ve been delighted with the way the constituency has been represented by Neil Gray over the course of the past few years; he’s been a first-class representative for the area, and I’d expect Anum to carry on in the same mould.”
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