In my first proper blog as the new MP for Edinburgh South West, I would like to start by thanking my predecessor. Joanna Cherry KC held the seat for 9 years and was a formidable parliamentarian. I wish her well for the future.

The election result across Scotland, however, confirms what we knew – people wanted change, and there was a desire to get the country back on track.

My campaign team, led by Cllr Jenkinson (with me above), turned a 33% deficit into a 13% lead. Whilst this is a humbling result, I am mindful that I won with just 40.9% of the vote. Indeed, the 61.9% turnout means only 25% of those eligible voted for me.

I want to make clear, however, that I am here for everyone – whether you voted for me or not. I will be here to listen to you no matter what your age, sex, disability, gender, race or birthplace. What’s more, if you are being attacked due to these characteristics, I will work with the community to defend you. We are all equal in my constituency. 

Indeed, just like other Labour Governments did, my hope is that over the term of this parliament we will make the country a fairer one to live in and do business.  This will happen despite the mess we inherited.

An early step we have taken is to give an estimated 200,000 Scots a pay rise with changes we are making to the Living Wage. We have asked that setting the Living Wage takes into account the cost of living crisis, and that we end the nonsense of paying people less simply because of their age. The House of Commons Library tells me that this simple change could benefit 1,200 of the lowest paid workers in my constituency.

This is just the start of the change our country needs, and I will work with local people to deliver.