Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
New MP: ‘I’ll not be seduced by London’
Bonnar aims to spend as much time as possible in constituency
Coatbridge’s new MP is settling into his role at the House of Commons – but has a special focus on the job to be done closer to home.
Steven Bonnar was elected as the town’s new Westminster representative at last month’s historic general election, with the SNP politician defeating incumbent Hugh Gaffney of Labour by 5624 votes.
He made his first- ever visit to the parliament when he took up his role before Christmas, becoming the third new member for Coatbridge, Chryston & Bellshill in as many elections, dating back only four years.
Speaking to the Advertiser after last week’s Westminster resumption following the new year, he said: “I’ve been preparing for my maiden speech, signing early-day motions and bobbing up and down trying to be selected at Prime Minister’s Questions.
“Being here for the first time was very surreal – you’re used to sitting watching parliament on TV, so then to be sitting in the chamber is quite strange.
“I’d never been in the House of Commons before being elected, and then on my first day I was sitting on the t green benches listening to Boris Johnson.” J
He added: “I’ve been getting to meet m my colleagues, in a much stronger SNP group this time round, and those from across the floor as well. We were initially down for the week before Christmas, and then t since last week we’ve really been able to get into it.
“The well wishes and support I’ve received r since December 13 have been phenomenal. p I believe I’ve had a strong mandate m given to me by the people of Coatbridge, Chryston & Bellshill to negotiate n Scotland’s right to choose its own future, and fully intend to do so.”
He told how he received an unusual w welcome to the Houses of Parliament, saying: “On my first day I was outside on the t terrace that overlooks the Thames, when w a black-and-white boat came up the t river which said ‘Steven B’ on the side!
“I was pretty surprised about it; I Googled it and found it’s a tug boat p people can hire which operates on the river. r I’m not very superstitious but it seemed to be a sign of something!”
He added: “I want to spend as little time at Westminster as possible as I want to be in the area, being a good constituency MP in the same vein as I was a councillor.
“Some people can come here and be seduced by London, but that’s not the case for me – I’m completely focused on the job at hand and I want to be able to deliver in the local area.
“I had a fair idea of what I was taking on and I’m now adjusting to it; and the House of Commons staff have been so helpful, with nothing too much trouble for them.”
Mr Bonnar plans to establish his constituency office in the Municipal Buildings at Kildonan Street and aims to have staff in place this month.
The new representative will also be conducting his first surgeries across Coatbridge, Chryston & Bellshill this Friday, planning to visit community facilities across the area to meet residents and hear their views and concerns.
He told the Advertiser: “I’m looking to get the office accommodation up and running and have an office manager in place as soon as possible.
“The correspondence is coming in thick and fast – the amount of mail that came in even in quite a short time is unbelievable, and I’m going through that.
“People will be able to drop into the office, and my first surgery is on Friday – I want to get round the constituency as much as possible to meet people and let them know I’m their MP.”
The new MP is a North Lanarkshire councillor for Thorniewood, and is also making arrangements to stand down from that role.
His Bellshill ward is the same one which was also previously represented by Westminster predecessor Hugh Gaffney – who served as both an MP and councillor for two years until July 2019, with the by-election for his local government replacement taking place as recently as September.
Mr Bonnar added: “I’m speaking to [council chief executive] Des Murray and the party leaders this week, and I’m looking to be in a position to make good on my promise to resign quickly as possible.
“I’m conscious that the people of Thorniewood have been to the polls more constantly than anyone in the past few years with by-elections, but I believe they deserve a full- time councillor dedicated to that role.”