Mum’s the word
Pollsters shocked as the
Rutherglen and Hamilton West’s new MP, Margaret Ferrier gets a victory hug from her daughter, Caitlin, following her stunning election victopry over Labour’s Tom Greatrex.
Ms Ferrier wiped out a 21,002 majority to take the seat.
Margaret Ferrier of the SNP is Rutherglen and Hamilton West’s new MP after she scored one of the biggest shocks of the General Election when she ousted Tom Greatrex and Labour from the seat.
On a stunning night for the SNP, Ms Ferrier scored over 52 per cent of the vote in the constituency on a turnout of nearly 70 per cent.
Labour’s Tom Greatrex saw his vote drop to 20,307, well behind Ms Ferrier’s 30,279.
Rutherglen and Hamilton West had been one of the few seats where Labour were still seen as favourites going into Thursday’s vote.
But not even Tom Greatrex’s reputation as a hands-on constituency MP could hold back the wave of SNP support.
Some Labour members at the John Wright Sports Centre in East Kilbride looked close to tears as the result became apparent.
In stark contrast, those donning SNP rosettes could scarcely believe the enormity of what they had achieved, even if Ms Ferrier, who was supported by her daughter Caitlin, kept her emotions to herself until the result was confirmed.
In her acceptance speech, Ms Ferrier vowed to work for all voters, regardless of political allegiance and said: “It’s not just Scotland calling out for change, but the whole of the UK.”
Afterwards, she said she couldn’t quite believe what she had achieved, adding: “It’s an incredible result.
“I’m shocked at the majority. We always thought it might be quite close, that was what the polls were predicting.
“I would really like to work for all the people in the constituency. Tonight’s vote proves they are looking for change.”
As well as being Rutherglen and Cambuslang’s first SNP MP, and the first non-Labour MP since 1964, Ms Ferrier is also the first woman to represent the towns at Westminster.
Despite the defeat, Mr Greatrex said: “I’d like to offer my congratulations to Margaret Ferrier for her victory.
“I wish her all the best in representing the constituency that it’s been my pleasure to represent.
“I’m disappointed to not be reelected by the people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West. I hope I have done as good and professional job as could
I’m shocked at the majority. We thought