SNP's Glasgow East victor arrives at Westminster

Published on Wednesday 30 July 2008 12:33

THE newly-elected Scottish National Party MP who plunged Gordon Brown into fresh turmoil last week arrived at the House of Commons for the first time today.

John Mason travelled to Westminster from his constituency of Glasgow East for a series of meetings with Parliamentary officials.

Mr Mason said he was unable to take his oath immediately due to the summer recess but wanted to take the first steps towards getting his office "up and running".

The SNP managed to overturn a 13,507 Labour majority on Thursday night to take the seat by a margin of 365 votes.

The dramatic loss of Labour's third safest seat in Scotland increased the pressure on the humiliated Prime Minister following the loss of Crewe and Nantwich, fifth place at Henley-on-Thames, and the party's drubbing in May's local government elections.

Speaking outside the Commons, Mr Mason said: "The people of Glasgow East put their faith in me.

"They had been without the representation they deserve for far too long and they want a change. I will not disappoint them.

"I am determined to be a high profile and high visibility MP, tackling the issues that matter to the people of my constituency."

He added: "We asked the people of Glasgow East to send a message on food and fuel prices to Gordon Brown and I will deliver that message.

"This huge swing to the SNP would leave one Labour MP in Scotland – it's time for Labour to listen."