No-one’s a patch on Mhairi

Politician is charity’s MP of the Year

Mhairi Black has been awarded SNP MP of the Year by a leading charity.

The Nat, 23, has been praised by charity the Patchwork Foundation, which hailed her work to engage with minority communities.

She was unveiled as her party’s top member at a ceremony in Speakers House this week – a year after taking home the gong for best newcomer.

Mhairi said: “The Patchwork Foundation stand for highlighting and celebrating engagement with underrepresented communities and that is why it is such an honour to receive an award from them for a second time.

“To be nominated by the public, once again, is extremely humbling and heart-warming.

“I would like to send my sincerest thanks to everyone who nominated me.

“I am absolutely delighted to receive this honour once again.”

The Patchwork Foundation aims to promote and encourage the positive integration of deprived and minority groups into British democracy and civil society.

It is not affiliated with any party and does not promote a particular political view.

The Paisley and Renfrewshire South member was presented with the prize by Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow MP, on Wednesday.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the right decision was made.

She said: “I’m proud to support the fantastic work of the Patchwork Foundation, which plays an important role in promoting the involvement of underrepresented groups and minority communities in parliament and politics.

“The SNP is strongly committed to equality, and to ensuring representation and inclusion for all communities.

“I’m delighted to see Mhairi Black being recognised in this year’s Parliamentary Awards for her excellent work campaigning for social justice, and working to make politics more representative for everyone.”

Patchwork Foundation bosses insist efforts to include underrepresented groups are even more important due to the shifting political landscape.

Siddiq Musa, partner at KPMG, which sponsors the awards, says more needs to be done to include those without a voice in national debate.

He said: “The vote to leave the European Union brought into sharp relief regional inequalities which exist across the UK.

“These inequalities are felt most by young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.”