Youngest MP Mhairi Black may not stay in Parliament because it’s a ‘depressing’ place where ‘so little gets done’
SNP member for Paisley was just 20 when she was elected in 2015 but said she might not stand again in 2020
THE YOUNGEST MP to be elected in Britain since 1667 may not stay in Parliament because she finds it a "depressing" place where "little gets done".
The SNP's Mhairi Black was just 20 years old when she was elected in 2015 – but said she might not stand again in 2020.
She told the : "It has been nearly two years and I still hate the place.
The outspoken MP said: “It is the personal elements – it is a pain to come up and down every week and you are working with a number of people you find quite troubling.
“Professionally, it is more just that so little gets done. It is so old and defunct in terms of its systems and procedures – a lot of the time, it is just a waste of time.”
Ms Black made history when she ousted former Labour minister Douglas Alexander in Paisley and Renfrewshire South – a constituency he had held for 18 years - with a huge swing to her party.
But asked if she would stand again the former chip shop worker told The Sunday Post: "I don't know."
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She said she has to work with some "quite troubling" people but has found friends in MPs from the other side of the political spectrum, such as Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg whom she jokingly called her “boyfriend”.
The outspoken MP said: “It’s the kind of place where, if you are reasonable with folk then they will soften a little.”
And despite gaining a reputation for campaigning on social issues she says she is still continually asked about her age
She said: “I’m sick of folk mentioning it. During the campaign, no one asked about my age, it was all in-depth political questions.
“What I always say is that trying to tailor politics to be ‘young, hip and cool’ is exactly the kind of patronising guff that puts off young folk.
“If you want to talk to young folk about politics then just talk politics. They will listen.”
She is relaxed about her future though, adding: “I have a habit of falling into things. I fell into university, fell into this and have fallen into most jobs I’ve had.”
In response to her comments Conservative MP Sir Nicholas Soames said he was “sorry” to hear Ms Black was depressed by parliamentary life.
The veteran Tory tweeted this morning: “I find it to be endlessly fascinating and a great privilege.”