Renfrewshire's four new Labour MPs sworn in at Westminster

Renfrewshire’s four new Labour MPs were sworn in at Westminster yesterday after a landslide victory in the General Election.

For some of the new MPs, it was a familiar experience but for a large number it was their first taste of the Commons.

Parliament resumed after a general election which saw Labour retake power for the first time in 14 years, with Sir Keir Starmer becoming Prime Minister.

Central to that victory was a remarkable night for the party in Scotland, as swathes of SNP seats turned red.

As a result the number of Labour MPs soared from two - Ian Murray and Michael Shanks - to 37.

And the freshly-appointed Renfrewshire MPs met Sir Keir at Downing Street before the official proceedings.

Scottish Labour MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South Johanna Baxter told the Paisley Daily Express : “The past few days at Westminster have been thrilling and quite surreal but I’m ready to get down to business to represent the people of Paisley and Renfrewshire South.

“I will ensure the concerns and wishes of my constituents are heard in the House of Commons”.

Scottish Labour MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North Alison Taylor was delighted, she said: “It’s filled me with pride to introduce myself to people at Westminster as the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North.

“The next five years of representing my constituents begins now and I’m looking forward to every minute of it”.

Also being sworn in yesterday was Martin McCluskey who has been elected as the MP for Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West and Blair McDougall who was elected as MP for the East Renfrewshire constituency.

During the ceremony yesterday, the new Prime Minister received a roar of applause from the packed government benches as he got to his feet and took his place at the dispatch box.

Starmer began his speech by congratulating Sir Lindsay Hoyle on his re-election as Speaker of the Commons.

He then expressed his gratitude to the new members of parliament and welcomed them to the House of Commons.

The prime minister went on to say new MPs have the opportunity and the responsibility to “replace the politics of performance” with service.

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also gave a speech yesterday.

He addressed the Commons from the opposition benches, facing the government benches where his party sat just weeks ago. He congratulated the new Prime Minister, and sent Starmer and his family his good wishes.

Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here