Labour see revival of local support

Airdrie Labour candidate Helen McFarlane is “absolutely delighted” with the resurgence which saw her slash Neil Gray’s previous majority of almost 9000.

She believes a longer campaign period could have allowed the party to win back the seat they lost two years ago after finishing just 195 votes adrift of the returned MP.

Ms McFarlane said: “We’ve come so close. We’ll do it next time and Neil Gray knows that.

“Even one more day would have made a difference. 200 votes is one more street. This is a massive platform to build on and we’ll be back.

“That campaign was about reconnecting with the people of Airdrie & Shotts, back to Labour. I can’t believe we’ve gone from a 9000 majority to less than 200.

“People weren’t happy with a Labour Party that had lost connection with ordinary people’s needs. We’ve won back the Labour Party with decent policies for ordinary people and tried to reach as many as possible and I’m delighted that we won back so many in Airdrie & Shotts.”

Airdrie had changed hands from Labour to the SNP in the latter’s 2015 Westminster landslide; but the runner-up added: “I think the people of this constituency have seen through the SNP and what they stand for.

“They think waving a magic wand of independence is going to solve the crisis but they’ve been in power in Scotland for 10 years and running health and education. If they were going to get it right they would have by now.”

Ms McFarlane added: “The picture as a whole is absolute vindication for the fantastic manifesto that Jeremy Corbyn has moved.

“We’ve seen a number of seats change hands that were never considered winnable and the slashing of majorities.

“The arrogance of Theresa May to have called this election in the way that she did only gave us a few short weeks to get the manifesto together.

“When people have been hearing that message they’re coming back to us, which is really pleasing.”