Mhairi’s remarkable week in politics
IT is little more than a week since her defeated rival Douglas Alexander glumly offered a congratulatory handshake as Mhairi Black made political history.
The 20-year-old who has yet to complete her university degree made headlines around the world as Britain’s youngest MP, for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, in more than 300 years.
Within minutes of her election victory she was live on Sky TV being interviewed by presenter Adam Boulton. On Saturday it was off to South Queensferry for the group shot of all 56 Nationalist MPs with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the Forth Bridge.
Still in the same crumpled suit, Miss Black told reporters she ‘hadn’t a clue’ when her new life as an MP was due to start or where she would live in London: ‘I’m very proud about becoming an MP, but I can’t really get caught up in all the excitement.’
A day and a half later she was hugging her father Alan goodbye at Glasgow Airport before setting off with a planeload of fellow Nationalists for Westminster, where she had been once before on a family trip in her teens.
A string of selfies in Westminster Hall followed, and photographs with Miss Sturgeon and Alex Salmond. Some noted that Miss Black appeared well-protected by party aides, nervous of a gaffe by a politician so young.
But it was not until Wednesday that the first faux pas came. Miss Black, who once talked on Twitter about wanting to put ‘the nut’ on gloating No voters, was pictured on the Commons terrace, lunching on chips, some white bread and cola bottle sweets.
For an incorrigibly politicallycorrect party wringing its hands over the nation’s poor health record, it was more than a shade off message.
Then, as the week drew to a close, there was a chance for Miss Black to catch her breath and return to her politics studies.
Her exam is at the end of the month. Interest in how she fares – now that politics is how she makes her living – is sure to be high.