LibDemSwinsonin Commonscomeback
FORMER ‘Baby of the House’ Jo Swinson has sparked her political comeback by winning her old parliamentary constituency back from the SNP.
In East Dunbartonshire, Liberal Democrat Ms Swinson regained the seat from the SNP’s John Nicolson.
Ms Swinson had held the seat for a decade before being ousted by Mr Nicolson in 2015.
Ms Swinson secured 21,023 votes to Mr Nicolson’s 15,684.
After the result was declared, she said: “I recognise all of those who put party allegiance to one side to send a clear message that East Dunbartonshire does not want another divisive independence referendum.
“Nicola Sturgeon, I hope you’re listening.”
A former journalist and broadcaster, Mr Nicolson was among the new wave of SNP MPs elected in 2015.
Although he was new to the House of Commons’ green bench- es, Mr Nicolson is a long-time party supporter, having joined the SNP aged 16.
The Glasgow University graduate was also no stranger to political debate, having been named Scottish and world student debating champion during his uni days and going on to become a speechwriter for a US senator on Capitol Hill.
The SNP also lost out in East Renfrewshire, this time to the Tories.
Paul Masterton took the constituency - which 20 years ago had been the safest Tory seat in Scotland - from the SNP’s Kirsten Oswald.
The first result in Scotland went to Labour as the party won Rutherglen and Hamilton West.
Gerard Killen claimed the seat for Jeremy Corbyn’s party with 19,101 votes, defeating the SNP’s Margaret Ferrier, who won the constituency in 2015 but who polled 18,836 votes this time round.
After being elected, Mr Killen declared: “This result is a rejection of austerity and a rejection of a divisive second independence referendum. Above all this result is a vote for a progressive manifesto and a fresh start for Rutherglen and Hamilton West.”
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said she was “utterly thrilled” for Mr Killen, adding that he will be “an outstanding MP”.
But in Paisley and Renfrewshire South, the SNP’s Mhairi Black was re-elected with 16,964 votes - although the party’s support in the seat fell by 10%. Ms Black became the youngest MP when she won the seat in 2015 at the age of 20, ousting Labour’s Douglas Alexander.
Gavin Newlands has held the neighbouring Paisley and Renfrewshire North seat for the SNP.
The Tories took Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock from the SNP, with local councillor and former fireman Bill Grant winning the seat.
Labour picked up a further gain at Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill as Hugh Gaffney ousted the SNP’s Phil Boswell.