My first week was a long time in politics
- BY LABOUR NEW BOY PAUL SWEENEY
“A BOMBARDMENT of the senses” is probably the most accurate way to describe my experience of being unexpectedly thrust into the heart of Scotland’s political life in the last week.
Although we campaigned tirelessly in the constituency – speaking to thousands of supportive voters – we could scarcely believe that we had overturned such a large majority at the first attempt.
Even as the ballots were being counted inside the Emirates Arena, we had no idea we had edged the result until the returning officer told us a few moments before it was officially announced on stage.
Gripped by a disorientating combination of exhilaration and exhaustion, I could barely take in the numbers read out by the returning officer until my agent Ian Elrick nodded and whispered that we had done it.
As my team rushed over to celebrate once they realised what had happened, I was thrust headlong into a scrum of photographers and journalists.
The most rewarding moment of the week was seeing the surprise and delight on the faces of the young party members who sacrificed so much to help me during the campaign experience such a momentous victory – which has been all too rare for our party in recent years.
These frenetic scenes set the tone for what has been one of the most unexpected and surreal weeks in my life.
Little did I think at the start of the year that I would be an MP by the onset of the summer.
I’ve been keen to hit the ground running in my new role as an elected representative for the area of Glasgow where I was born and brought up.
After spending Sunday hosting a street surgery in Dennistoun, meeting my new constituents, Labour’s expanded Scottish contingent headed to London to undertake our induction as members.
Walking over Westminster Bridge and approaching Big Ben, one of my new colleagues, Hugh Gaffney from Coatbridge, sporting his postman’s uniform, asked us to stop for a photo and remember the words of the Labour Party’s founder, Keir Hardie, that “a working man should go to Parliament in his workday clothes”.
I soon fully appreciated the true power of those sentiments as we ventured inside the vast complex of neoGothic buildings.
The grandeur of the surroundings, resonating with a millennium’s worth of history at the epicentre of this island’s story, could very quickly enrapture someone into a sense of entitlement and superiority. That’s why it is always so important for us to remember where we have come from, the people who have put us there to represent them and what we, and they, stand for.
We were quickly struck by the courteousness of the staff and the realisation we were all part of one team dedicated to public service – from doormen to parliamentarians.
The formality and flummery of tradition can be fun but everyone who works there seems to have a rather wry approach to it and know what the fundamental purpose of a parliament in the 21st century should be – an efficient and effective legislature for the people of Britain, not a museum or gentlemen’s club.
Walking into the famous chamber of the House of Commons for the first time was inspiring and seeing all our Labour colleagues on the green benches invigorated us with a real sense of dynamism and purpose, in contrast to a thoroughly demoralised Tory party sitting opposite.
Jeremy Corbyn dominated his encounter with Theresa May at the despatch box, witheringly mocking her hubris in calling the election to cement a majority to force through a hard Brexit which has now so spectacularly backfired.
He was deservedly treated to a standing ovation and applause both in the chamber and at the meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party later that evening.
Labour MPs truly reflect the diversity of the country we live in – and my seven Labour colleagues from Scotland reflect that. As well as postman Hughie we have a charity worker, councillors, a teacher and a lawyer within our ranks.
When our group of Scottish MPs had our first meeting with Corbyn in his office, he was brimming with pride that we had been so successful in restoring Labour’s presence in the country that gave birth to our movement and has contributed so much to it over the last century, especially in Glasgow.
He made clear his commitment to working closely with us to develop our radical manifesto in key areas that will benefit Scotland – particularly on an interventionist industrial strategy that will provide decent, high-quality jobs.
The opportunity to deliver that brilliant Labour manifesto – For The Many – may come sooner than we think.
May’s coalition with the DUP will be extremely vulnerable and the opportunity to secure a Labour government is closer than we could ever have hoped for at the start of the election campaign.
As we swore an oath to officially become Members of Parliament, before returning to Scotland to continue campaigning in our constituencies, that thought is uppermost in my mind.
We must never lose sight of the visionary message that inspired so many people in Glasgow North East and across Scotland to vote for Labour.
And we must not relent in our efforts to deliver that manifesto for the great many people who desperately need our help to improve the quality of their lives. We relish that challenge.
It has been one of the most unexpected and surreal weeks of my life PAUL SWEENEY