Sturgeon hopeful of 4th win in a row
NICOLA Sturgeon said the SNP is on course to return to government in Scotland but claimed a majority is a “very, very long shot”.
The First Minister’s party is heading back into power but is desperate to secure a clean win so it can push for another independence poll.
In the last parliamentary term, the SNP held 63 seats, just two shy of an overall majority.
The full results will only be known today but some of the most marginal seats were among those declared last night, giving a good indication of how the new parliament will shape up.
Nationalists secured some early wins, taking East Lothian from Labour with a 1,179 majority and Ayr from the Conservatives by 170 votes.
Ms Sturgeon said: “A majority has always been a very, very long shot – the Holyrood system is a proportional representation system, in 2011 we effectively broke that system.
“It would be good to do but I have never taken that for granted, that has always been on a knife edge – a small number of votes in a small number of seats – so we’ll wait and see how the votes will pan out.
“At this stage...I’m feeling extremely happy and confident that we’re on track in the SNP for a fourth consecutive election victory and to have the ability to form a government again. “That’s an extraordinary achievement for any political party and, if that is how the results end – and that is how the election turns out – then I’ll be ready and eager to get back to work on behalf of the people of Scotland.” The SNP held all four Glasgow constituencies that were declared yesterday.
Along with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf, Bill Kidd and Bob Doris will return to Holyrood for the party.
Another four constituencies in the Glasgow region are due to declare results today.
Ms Sturgeon was re-elected in Glasgow Southside, where she went up against Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.
The First Minister won 19,735 votes, compared to Mr Sarwar’s 10,279 – a majority of 9,456.
Afterwards, she said: “The SNP appears to be on course for a fourth consecutive election victory and to be on course to have the privilege of forming a government again.
“If that is indeed the outcome, I pledge today to get back to work immediately to continue to steer this country through the crisis of Covid, to lead this country into recovery from Covid, and then, when the time is right, to offer this country the choice of a better future.”