OTLEY's new MP has promised to not use the town's Civic Centre as a 'political football'.

Alex Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West) made the vow while talking to the Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer about his first weeks in the role.

Mr Sobel won the seat from the Liberal Democrats by overturning Greg Mulholland's majority of 2,907 to emerge with 20,416 votes - 4,224 in front.

That result, helped by a huge rise in the number of newly registered voters, has seen Labour regain Parliamentary representation in the constituency for the first time in 12 years.

Mr Sobel, who lives in Weetwood with his wife Susan and their two sons, said: "I want to be a good local MP who supports people individually and is also a voice in Parliament to create the national change that is needed in areas that people were talking to me about on the doorstep.

"Why Labour did well in the election is because it put forward a manifesto - which was costed, though I know some people disagree with the costings - with a number of very clear goals which tackled people's worries about issues like work, housing, pensions, the NHS and education.

"It was also very hopeful and young people, in particular, are looking for hope for their future.

"The Conservatives ran a campaign about their own credibility, which now looks like a big mistake, and Brexit."

With regards to Brexit and the UK's withdrawal from the EU, Mr Sobel definitely favours a 'softer' disentanglement.

The first Early Day Motion he signed after being elected calls for the UK to remain a member of the customs union, and he also believes Labour could achieve a better deal than the Conservatives.

He said: "We're ready to take on the negotiations - I think we'd negotiate better than the Government."

The 42 year old saw Prime Minister Theresa May in action when she gave a statement about the Grenfell Tower fire disaster, in which at least 80 people died.

He said: "I agree we need to get to the bottom of this issue and there's gong to be a public inquiry which I hope is quck - the most important thing is that we don't have another Grenfell.

"But the Prime Minister was asked fair, 'yes or no' questions following her statement about things like would she commit to installing sprinkler systems in tower blocks, and all she could say was she would 'look at it'.

"I would have liked to have seen some leadership and I don't think she gave it."

Turning to more local issues, Mr Sobel said he would be happy to see the long uncertainty over the Civic Centre's future resolved - but had 'no intention of 'playing politics with the civic life of Otley'.

He added: "I certainly don't intend to use the Civic Centre as a political football.

"It's still owned by Leeds City Council and there are three bids in to regenerate it - I'd want to see that the one that's most sustainable and adds to life in Wharfedale is the successful one, then we can effectively move on."

Only three weeks into the job, he admits to occasionally still getting lost in Westminster's labyrinthine corridors - and is still adjusting to splitting his time between London and home.

He said: "I'm still transitioning out of my old life and role with Social Enterprise Yorkshire and the Humber into my new one.

"As an MP you tend to be in London from Monday afternoon through to Thursday evening, so I'm home for Friday, Saturday and Sunday and take the children to school on Monday before heading back.

"It's not ideal in terms of not seeing them during the week or in the evenings and leaves us juggling the chlldcare, but I'm looking forward to taking them with me to lots of events in the school holidays."