Nicola Sturgeon said it was “not impossible” that the SNP could win a majority in the Scottish Parliament election, as the party made gains from its rivals in key seats.
Ms Sturgeon’s party captured the seats of Ayr and Edinburgh Central from the Tories, with former SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson gaining the seat in the capital which had previously been held by the Conservative Holyrood leader Ruth Davidson.
The SNP also gained East Lothian from Labour, while Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour’s deputy leader who is fighting to retain her Dumbarton seat, said it was “too close to call” there.
Majority for Scottish National Party still uncalled, but Nicola Sturgeon almost certain of win
The results of some constituency seats still need to be announced. By Press Association Friday 7 May 2021, 10:30 PM Fri 10:30 PM 25,184 Views 29 Comments
Image: PA
Image: PA
SCOTTISH FIRST MINISTER Nicola Sturgeon’s hopes of winning an overall majority for the Scottish National Party in the country’s election are still uncertain, despite the party making gains from its rivals.
With 47 constituency results declared today, the SNP so far has 38 seats, Liberal Democrats four, Conservatives three and Labour two.
The SNP picked up key seats in Edinburgh Central, where former SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson replaced the one-time Scottish Tory boss Ruth Davidson, as well as as in Ayr and East Lothian.
Nicola Sturgeon’s hopes of winning an overall majority for the SNP at Holyrood election are hanging in the balance – despite her party making gains from its rivals.
The SNP picked up key seats in Edinburgh Central – where former SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson replaced the one time Scottish Tory boss Ruth Davidson – as well as as in Ayr and East Lothian.
But under Holyrood’s proportional representation system, those successes could see it lose seats on the regional list ballot.
Meanwhile, Labour’s Jackie Baillie held on to her Dumbarton constituency – which had been the most marginal seat in all of Scotland and a top target for the SNP.
Nicola Sturgeon’s hopes of winning an overall majority for the SNP at Holyrood election are hanging in the balance – despite her party making gains from its rivals.
The SNP picked up key seats in Edinburgh Central – where former SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson replaced the one time Scottish Tory boss Ruth Davidson – as well as as in Ayr and East Lothian.
But under Holyrood’s proportional representation system, those successes could see it lose seats on the regional list ballot.
Meanwhile, Labour’s Jackie Baillie held on to her Dumbarton constituency – which had been the most marginal seat in all of Scotland and a top target for the SNP.
The SNP will be the “leading and largest party” in the new Scottish Parliament, Deputy First Minister John Swinney has declared – though he said it is still too early to say if the party will win an overall majority at Holyrood.
Mr Swinney, also the Education Secretary in the Scottish Government, comfortably held his Perthshire North seat, increasing his majority over the Tories.
His was among the first handful of seats to declare as votes were counted after polling day on Thursday.
The coronavirus pandemic meant that traditional overnight counting was impossible, with the results instead being announced over the course of Friday and Saturday.