Scotland’s newest MP told how she hopes to be a role model for other minorities after being elected to Westminster.
New SNP MP Anum Qaisar-Javed also pledged she would “fight for independence” after being elected to represent the constituency of Airdrie and Shotts.
The by-election, which took place just a week after the Scottish Parliament election, was sparked by former MP Neil Gray’s decision to step down from the Commons and run for Holyrood.
After he was elected to the corresponding constituency in the Scottish Parliament last week, Ms Javed, 28, retained the seat he had held – albeit with a majority down on the 5,201 held by Mr Gray in 2019.
SNP WIN!@AnumQaisarJaved wins the Airdrie and Shotts by-election for the SNP. #SNPWinpic.twitter.com/wyJAbridIm She polled 10,129 votes, ahead of Labour candidate and local councillor Kenneth Stevenson who came in second with 8,372 votes, a majority of 1,757. Conservative candidate Ben Callaghan secured 2,812 votes, with Liberal Democrat Stephen Arrundale fourth with 220 votes. Turnout in the election was 34.3%, with Ms Javed saying this was “low” but adding she was proud of the SNP’s record in the area and “proud to be elected as the MP for Airdrie and Shotts”. Her election came as the Scottish Parliament saw its most diverse group of MSPs ever sworn in, with women of colour elected to Holyrood for the first time.
Scotland’s newest MP told how she hopes to be a role model for other minorities after being elected to Westminster.
New SNP MP Anum Qaisar-Javed also pledged she would “fight for independence” after being elected to represent the constituency of Airdrie and Shotts.
The by-election, which took place just a week after the Scottish Parliament election, was sparked by former MP Neil Gray’s decision to step down from the Commons and run for Holyrood.
After he was elected to the corresponding constituency in the Scottish Parliament last week, Ms Javed, 28, retained the seat he had held – albeit with a majority down on the 5,201 held by Mr Gray in 2019.
SNP win Airdrie and Shotts by-election as new MP vows to fight for independence
Anum Qaisar-Javed won the Westminster seat but with a reduced majority from 2019.
07:37, 14 MAY 2021
Updated
Anum Qaisar-Javed held onto the Airdrie and Shotts seat for the SNP
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Scotland’s newest MP told how she hopes to be a role model for other minorities after being elected to Westminster.
New SNP MP Anum Qaisar-Javed also pledged she would “fight for independence” after being elected to represent the constituency of Airdrie and Shotts.
The by-election, which took place just a week after the Scottish Parliament election, was sparked by former MP Neil Gray’s decision to step down from the Commons and run for Holyrood.
After he was elected to the corresponding constituency in the Scottish Parliament last week, Ms Javed, 28, retained the seat he had held – albeit with a majority down on the 5,201 held by Mr Gray in 2019.