‘Very intense’: New Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey MP Graham Leadbitter’s first week at Westminster

Serving the local community is new MP Graham’s Leadbitter’s top priority, he said, following a “very intense” first week at Westminster.

Councillor Leadbitter, who plans to step down from Moray Council within weeks, said his new place of work is: “a bit like Hogwarts”.

Navigating the historic building has meant that “my steps have certainly increased”, he added.

The SNP’s Cllr Leadbitter, who has represented Elgin City South for 17 years, defeated Conservative rival Councillor Kathleen Robertson in last Thursday’s General Election by 1001 votes.

Speaking on Thursday, after being sworn-in on the floor of the House of Commons, he said that the week since becoming MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey had been hectic.

“It [the swearing-in] was the first slightly nervous thing to do, with the TV and the full glare of publicity, but it’s all done now,” he said.

“In terms of Parliament itself, it’s a bit like Hogwarts in a way.

“And my steps have certainly increased getting around the place on a day to day basis.

“It has been a very intense period of getting to grips with the demands of being a Member of Parliament.

“Even with some run-of-the-mill things like knowing the right bus number to get to Parliament.

“After a week, a lot of it is starting to sink in, but that will continue for the next few weeks.”

Cllr Leadbitter said he plans to step down from Moray Council within weeks, and is set to finalise his resignation date “in the coming days”.

As a result, a by-election will be held for the Elgin City South ward, most likely in the autumn.

The SNP politician is excited to continue helping the local community deal with their issues “on a daily basis” as part of his new role, he said.

New MPs start without any members of staff, and must find office space and recruit a team to help them manage casework.

“Once you are established as a Member of Parliament, you have staff to help with things like casework and your diary,” Cllr Leadbitter said.

“But you have got to set that up yourself. You’re not just an MP, you are an employer.

“It has been intense, but the quicker you can get through that and get people in place to support constituents, the better.”

Cllr Leadbitter said he plans to focus his efforts on issues prominent during the election campaign, such as the cost of living and “the desperate need to end 14 years of public austerity”.

He pledged to fight for progress on the local NHS, Education and roads infrastructure, like the A9 and the A96, by arguing for more cash from Westminster.

Paying tribute to the other candidates in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, Cllr Leadbitter thanked them for a “cleanly-fought campaign”.

“Candidates, on an individual level, fought in a friendly atmosphere, something that would be good to see in politics at all levels and on all occasions,” he added.

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