SNP holds Argyll and Bute after an election like no other
Newly elected Argyll and Bute MSP Jenni Minto – the first female to fill the role – arrived at Holyrood on Tuesday for her induction to the Scottish Parliament, following an election unlike any other.
Last Thursday, May 6, voters across Argyll and Bute took to the polls in record-breaking numbers, with a turnout of 67.8 per cent – higher than all five previous Holyrood elections in Argyll and Bute.
Vote verification and counting – carried out under strict Covid-19 protocols – began at Lochgilphead Joint Campus promptly at 9am the following day, on Friday May 7, but not before ballot boxes had been delivered from polling stations in every corner of Argyll and Bute, with island ballots arriving in style by helicopter.
With 16,608 votes, Ms Minto was announced as the constituency MSP for Argyll and Bute at around 6pm, succeeding fellow SNP member Michael Russell as the incumbent. She finished ahead of Donald Cameron, Conservative, with 7,645 votes; Alan Reid, Liberal Democrats, 6,874 votes; and Lewis White, Scottish Labour, 2,436 votes.
The total number of votes cast was 33,728, of which 165 were spoiled/rejected.
The candidates gave one of the shortest sets of podium speeches Argyll and Bute has heard; usually the larger crowds turn the candidates into orators but, on this occasion, the usual gaggle of observers from each political party and mass of local and national media was absent.
For safety reasons, the counting tables had been split between the school’s gymnasium and the sports hall, with just four counters per table to comply with physical distancing, adding to the subdued atmosphere for which the count was notable.
The voting process itself was also different this year, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
There was a greater proportion of postal votes than in past elections and, for those who voted in person, safety was a priority. Separate doors to enter and leave the polling place, oneway systems, single-use pencils and, of course, the ubiquitous physical distancing and face coverings were some of the changes voters witnessed.
Extra council staff were on hand at busier polling stations, while election personnel were behind PPE screens.
On the podium, following Friday’s results announcement by returning officer Pippa Milne, Ms Minto said: ‘I think the people of Scotland have told us now that Scotland’s future is Scotland’s choice.’
Speaking this week about her election victory, she added: ‘It is an incredible privilege to have been elected MSP for Argyll and Bute – Scotland’s most beautiful constituency.
‘I would like to give my thanks to all those who voted for me and have put their trust in me to represent you.
‘The strength of the SNP’s result here has humbled me but I think it’s a fitting tribute
‘It is an incredible privilege to have been elected MSP for Argyll and Bute – Scotland’s most beautiful constituency’
to the hard work of all our activists, our local councillors, our MP Brendan O’Hara and in particular our former MSP Michael Russell.
‘I was able to spend the final 12 days of the campaign travelling around the constituency, meeting with people and discussing our shared passions for our communities.
‘What was clear to me is that those who live here, know what is best for their communities and that is the message I take with me to Holyrood. I look forward to getting my office set up in the coming weeks and getting to work for you, the people of Argyll and Bute.’
Shortly after 5pm last Saturday, the day after Ms Minto was announced as the constituency MSP, the seven MSPs for the larger Highlands and Islands region, including Argyll and Bute, were announced.
Inverness-based regional returning officer for Highland and Islands Donna Manson declared the results for the regional list, with the following seven members elected on a 66.1 per cent overall turnout: Douglas Ross, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party; Edward Mountain, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party; Rhoda Grant, Scottish Labour Party; Donald Cameron, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party; Ariane Claire Burgess, Scottish Green Party; Jamie Halcro Johnston, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party; and Emma Roddick, Scottish National Party.