Nicola Sturgeon applauded Stewart as she arrived at the count to congratulate her new parliamentary colleague. She said: “I have never wanted to hug someone so much in my life,” the First Minister said, adding she was “thrilled beyond words” at the result. “It has taken us far too long, more than 20 years, but today she becomes the first woman of colour to be elected to our national Parliament,” she said. “Party politics aside this is a really special and a very significant moment for Scotland and I could not be prouder right now.” Glasgow Kelvin had been a key seat for the SNP to hold – and Stewart comfortably saw off a challenge from the Green’s co-leader Patrick Harvie who was bidding to become the first from his party to win a constituency seat in Scotland.
The SNP has won the seven Glasgow constituencies declared so far in the Scottish Parliament election.
Incumbent Ivan McKee, Scotland’s Trade Minister, held on to his Glasgow Provan seat as counting continued for a second day in the city.
Mr McKee won 15,913 votes, Labour’s Martin McElroy won 8,683 and the Greens’ Kim Long won 2,366.
The second result on Saturday was Glasgow Cathcart, which was held by the SNP’s James Dornan. He won 21,728 votes, Labour’s Craig Carson took 11,332 and the Conservatives’ Euan Blockley 4,041.
Glasgow Shettleston was also held by the SNP, with John Mason retaining his seat on 17,465 votes.