Mhairi Black jokes about the next election a day after announcing her plans to step down
The MP provoked a laugh in the Commons during PMQs this afternoon
SNP Deputy Westminster leader Mhairi Black got a laugh in the Commons this afternoon after joking the Deputy Prime Minister would lose his seat at the next general election.
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Oliver Dowden commented on the Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP’s recent decision to step down, adding that he knew they had started in parliament at the same time.
Ms Black responded: “The Deputy Prime Minister, I thank him for his kind words and we did join this place at the same time and I'm pretty sure we'll be leaving at the same time."
It was not the only laugh she got through, as just previously Mr Dowden had said: “I'm sure she will wish to join me in celebrating His Majesty King Charles receiving the Scottish regalia, pretty much as we speak”, to which Ms Black could be seen shaking her head.
Following laughter, she went on to question the stance of both Labour and the Tories over the private sector in the NHS.
She said: "As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the health services in the UK, I want to reflect on two quotes from two people. The first one is 'it's about using the private sector more, something we should be very comfortable with'.
"The second quote is 'people go as NHS patients to the private sector and we could do more of it'. Can I ask the Deputy Prime Minister which quote is from the PM and which is from the leader of the Opposition?"
In response, Mr Dowden said: "When it comes to the NHS, I will take absolutely no lectures from either party on it.
“It has been there for me. I was born in an NHS hospital, my children were born in an NHS hospital.
“It's been there for me, and my family and this Government has put record funding into it."
Ms Black has said she will step down at the next general election, citing the "toxic" environment at Westminster as the reason for her departure.
Speaking to The News Agents podcast, the Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP said Westminster is "one of the most unhealthy workplaces that you could ever be in".