Eleanor Smith: New Wolverhampton South West MP gets Jeremy Corbyn's backing
Eleanor Smith has received the backing of Jeremy Corbyn as she was officially sworn in as a Member of Parliament.
The newly elected Labour MP for Wolverhampton South West took part in the Commons' swearing in ceremony, which saw all 650 MPs either swear an Oath of Allegiance to the Crown or a solemn affirmation.
She also met with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in Westminster, who congratulated her on retaining the seat for the party in last week's election.
Ms Smith, who is a nurse in Birmingham, has become the first black MP in the West Midlands.
She won Wolverhampton South West with a majority of 2,185, after being selected as Labour's candidate following Rob Marris's decision to retire.
Ms Smith has vowed to be 'an inclusive politician', saying shortly after being sworn in as an MP: "It was an overwhelming experience - very exciting but also a bit nerve-wracking.
"Now I just can't wait to get stuck into my constituency work. I was pleased with the majority I got in the election but I want to build on it.
"I want all of my constituents, whether they voted for me or not, to feel that I will work for them on the issues that they car about.
"My door will always be open. Our election campaign was based on the message 'for the many' and I am determined to be an inclusive MP."
She added: "Wolverhampton is such a multi-cultural city. I think our [Labour's] manifesto appealed to a broad range of people in the election and that's why we did better than a lot of people expected.
"If you look at my majority it is clear that people from all backgrounds voted for me, including white, working class people."
One of Wolverhampton's most famous daughters, Beverley Knight, has also passed on her congratulations to Ms Smith.
She tweeted: "Huge congrats to you Eleanor! You now rep my family's constituency, means a lot to me!"
