No reason for nerves on good night for Nats

EXPERIENCE counts i n politics. And it seems that goes for election nights too.

Stewart Hosie and Chris Law were both overwhelming favourites to retain their Westminster seats for the Nationalists.

Both had landslide victories i n 2015 and it was expected that their share of the vote would be reduced — but not by enough to make them worry.

This was Mr Hosie’s fourth ti me around t he track, while it was Mr Law’s first attempt at being re-elected.

The experienced Mr Hosie milled around from 10pm as votes started being tallied up at the DISC, smiling laughing and joking with volunteers — exuding a “been there, done that” attitude.

Mr Law arrived at the count around midnight.

And — despite remaining composed throughout — he seemed to have a touch of nerves as he paced around waiting f or t he announcement.

But as news of tight battles for seats filtered through from the rest of the country, the mood around the Dundee count was positively steady and businesslike.

Vo t e s w e r e being recounted i n the nearby areas of Perth and North East Fife.

But that never l ooked likely in the City of Discovery.

By 1am, the chattering, upbeat SNP members foretold the looming election result.

The Labour section of the room remained buoyant throughout the night and early morning — spurred on by exit polls and an early lead for the party in declarations.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives in the room were quietly confident of making gains.

When Mr Hosie was guaranteed his fourth term in We s t m i n s t e r, h e w a s greeted with a round of applause.

He made his way around the room — basking in yet another election victory.

A matter of minutes later, the Dundee West candidates were asked to come forward and Mr Law was also re-elected.

The SNP group cheered on as — with a smile of relief — he took to the podium and declared his intentions for the future.