Tom Gordon
THE maiden speech by the SNP’s Mhairi Black, which was praised for its power and sincerity across the political spectrum, has now been viewed almost 11 million times online.
The Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP racked up 5.5m views through the Facebook page of Channel 4 News, 3m through Buzzfeed UK and 650,000 through the SNP’s Facebook page.
By last night, views on other media outlets had brought the total to around 10.7m.
Tuesday’s Commons speech by 20-year-old Black, who defeated Labour’s Douglas Alexander on May 7, referred to her Labour upbringing, but noted: “I feel it is the Labour Party that left me, not the other way about.”
She said she wanted to hold a mirror up to a party "that seems to have forgotten the very people they are supposed to represent".
But it ended with an offer to work with Labour against the Tories to improve people’s lives.
“I reach out a genuine hand of friendship. Let us come together," she said.
Time magazine said the speech was “dazzling”, although many Unionist commentators said that, while technically superb, its content was deeply misguided.
SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson said: “Mhairi’s outstanding maiden speech was principled and passionate.
“The House of Commons listened in silence to its youngest member remind us all why we are sitting in our place and those we were elected to speak for – it is of no surprise that this message had resonance far beyond the walls of Westminster.”
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