Big job ahead but new MP Logan vows he’s up for the challenge
THERE is a big job of work to do - that was the verdict from Aberdeenshire North and Moray East’s (ANME) new MP Seamus Logan.
The SNP MP - who defeated outgoing Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross by a margin of just under 1000 votes in what was a nail-biting evening at the count - was speaking after his first week in the job.
He was keen to stress there were no shortage of challenges facing him and his fellow SNP MPs.
Mr Logan said: “Working for the whole constituency is foremost in my mind.
“There’re huge levels of poverty in ANME, which is a bit of a paradox considering how affluent the area is.
“We’ll be looking to draw attention to the two child cap on child benefit, which Labour are allegedly not going to remove. The SNP group will be pressuring the government to reconsider; I’m sure there’re many Labour MPs who are not comfortable with this.
“The constituency has large farming and fishing industries, as well as oil, gas and renewables, not to mention a thriving tourist industry. Many of the issues affecting them are reserved powers and I’ll be lobbying strongly to make sure both Aberdeenshire North and Moray East and Scotland get the resources they need and deserve.”
The last parliament ended with public trust in politicians and politics in general arguably at an all-time low. Re-establishing that trust is something Mr Logan pledged to strive for.
He continued; “Public trust is something we’ve got to try and recover and I’ll certainly be playing my part in that process.
“I spent over 30 unblemished years serving in health and social care and I intend to continue to deliver on that. That means hard work, sweat and effort - I certainly won’t be sitting back and enjoying the view.
“Indeed, the volume of casework has already started.”
The last couple of weeks have been something of a whirlwind for Mr Logan and his fellow new MPs, beginning with a tour of the parliament buildings - something he described as “very daunting”. This was followed by a whole host of induction sessions, the swearing in ceremony, group meetings and simply trying to find his way around, although he noted that he was “beginning to find his feet.”
Looking at some of the challenges ahead, he commented: “It’s no secret that the SNP group in this parliament is much smaller than before which means we have to be a lot more focused on what we do.
“We can’t go chasing every single item of parliamentary business, just the most relevant.”
Mr Logan also had time to reflect on what was a dramatic election night count at the P&J Live in Aberdeen, which initially looked grim for him. An EXIT poll just after voting closed gave his Conservative rival Mr Ross a 99 per chance of victory, with a meagre one per cent pointing to an SNP win.
He said: “I wasn’t actually aware of the EXIT poll at the time, although I had heard that the Tories were projected to get 12 seats in Scotland.
“In the run-up to the count I was optimistic about our chances - the people we spoke to on the doorsteps were telling us they were sick of the Tories .
“Many were also were disgusted by way David Duguid was treated [Mr Duguid, who has been in hospital for some time, had been the sitting MP for the former Banffshire and Buchan seat and was effectively de-selected in favour of Mr Ross]. While we have our political differences I’d like to pay tribute to David; he’s a decent man and I wish him a speedy recovery.
“After stage 1 of the count we were very confident we were going to win, although we thought the gap would narrow, which it did.
“One thing it does prove is that every vote counts and I’d urge everyone to use their vote.”
Originally hailing from Northern Ireland, Mr Logan first entered the political fray when his brother stood for a seat in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Once living in Scotland, Mr Logan joined the SNP in 2018, later being elected as one of the councillors for the Fraserburgh and District ward on Aberdeenshire Council.
He added: “I never, ever envisaged I’d be a councillor, never mind an MP, I’m not a career politician.
“After I joined the SNP I became active in the branch and it was pretty much by happenstance that I ended up putting my name forward and then was elected.
“Happenstance played a similar role in me standing for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.
“I am, of course, making arrangements to step down as a councillor now that I have been elected as an MP. I firmly believe you can’t do both jobs.”
