Labour’s newest MP Emma Lewell-Buck has arrived at Westminster today to take up her seat in the House of Commons.
The newly-elected MP for South Shields was welcomed to Parliament by Ed Miliband, Leader of the Labour Party and colleagues from the Parliamentary Labour Party at St Stephen’s Entrance.
She will swear her oath of allegiance and take her seat in the Commons before the start of the Queen’s Speech debate this afternoon.
Emma Lewell-Buck, Labour MP for South Shields said:
“It’s incredibly exciting to be arriving in Parliament today, especially on the day of the Queen’s Speech. The last few days have been like a whirlwind. I’ve overwhelmed by the messages of support from people in South Shields and from further afield since my election on Thursday.
“It’s very humbling to be taking my seat in the House of Commons. As I said in my acceptance speech, I’m following in the footsteps of some great men but I can assure you this woman will walk in her own way.”
“The people of South Shields have given me a job to do and I’m determined to get started right away. This Queen’s Speech is a huge missed opportunity by the Tory-led Government to do something to boost economic growth and tackle the youth jobs crisis in this country. On the doorstep during the by-election campaign, the issue of jobs came up time and time again. People want a government that is going to take action to ensure that our young people are given the chance to get into the world of work. Sadly this Queen’s Speech does nothing to address this issue.”
“Over the coming weeks I’ll be doing all I can to make the case for a jobs guarantee for the long-term unemployed. I hope the government will listen.”