Big Nats scalps for Tories as Salmond falls
THE Tories have claimed victories over two of the SNP’s most prominent politicians in Scotland with Angus Robertson and Alex Salmond the biggest casualties both losing their places at Westminster.
Mr Salmond was turfed out of his Gordon seat by Colin Clark, defeating the former First Minister by 2607 votes.
Mr Salmond was defending a majority of 8,687 but the Conservatives saw their share increase by 29%.
Despite the defeat, Mr Salmond insisted Scotland has “not seen the last of my bonnets and me”.
He said: “The SNP have lost many fine parliamentarians this evening and that’s a grievous blow to the SNP.
“But overall the result in Scotland shows the SNP will have won a majority of the seats in this country and the majority of the vote, something which I suspect the Prime Minister would like to be able to claim in the early hours of this morning but is not able to do so.”
Earlier, Douglas Ross of the Tories overturned a majority of 9,065 to defeat SNP Deputy Leader Angus Robertson – who had been the SNP’s leader at Westminster since 2007.
He lost by 4,200 votes in Moray in the north of Scotland.
Nicolas Sturgeon said Angus has been not only an outstanding champion for Moray but Deputy Leader of the SNP and leader at Westminster so he will be a big loss to the constituency and to parliamentary politics.”
However she added: “The SNP has won this election and I congratulate our MPs and all MPs from whatever party who have been elected.”
Ruth Davidson, Scottish Conservative leader, said: “I think we have seen the country’s reaction in the number of SNP seat’s falling. Indyref 2 is dead.”
“Now it’s time to get back to what matters to the people of Scotland – that’s sorting out our schools, growing our economy and l ooking at our public services.”
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said the Scottish results had been “encouraging” for her party.
She said: “The SNP vote is crumbling in their heartlands. Look at what’s happening in Glasgow; look at what’s happening across the west. It’s a very bad night for the SNP.”
“We’ve got a fantastic new generation of MPs going to the House of Commons.
“They’re going to be champions for their local communities, they’re going to be opposed to a second independence referendum, and they’re also going to be for Jeremy Corbyn’s anti-austerity platform and for raising investment in our public services. I’m hugely encouraged by results across the country tonight.
“I started Labour’s campaign in Rutherglen on May 8, and I’m delighted that the first result tonight was to see Ged Killen returned as the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West. It’s a wonderful result.”