SNP holds Ross, Skye and Lochaber
SNP MP Ian Blackford has held on to his Ross, Skye and Lochaber seat.
Mr Blackford secured a majority of 5,919, winning 15,480 votes in last Thursday’s general election. But the Skye-based MP was down 40 per cent on the 2015 result.
His closest rival, Conservative Robert MacKenzie, polled 9,561 votes. The party saw support surge 18 per cent in the constituency compared to 2015.
In what used to be a Liberal Democrat stronghold, with the late Charles Kennedy holding the seat for more than three decades, the Lib Dem candidate Jean Davis came third with 8,042 votes.
Labour candidate Peter Ó Donnghaile secured 4,695 votes, while Ronnie the Crofter Campbell got 499. Something New candidate Stick Sturrock had 177 votes.
The total number of votes cast across Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency was 38,503. A total of 49 ballot papers were rejected.
The count was held at the Highland Football Academy, Victoria Park, Dingwall.
Following the election, Mr Blackford told the Lochaber
Times: ‘I am delighted to have been returned as MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber and thank everyone who trusted me with their vote. During the campaign, I and my teams of volunteers knocked on doors and held meetings across the constituency to hear what issues were actually of concern to local people.
‘It is an honour and privilege to once again represent this constituency and, as in the previous parliament, I will be a strong and persistent voice in Westminster for everyone in Ross, Skye and Lochaber.’
Independent leader of the Highland Council Margaret Davidson said: ‘I am looking forward to working with our newly- elected MPs to make sure the Highlands has a stronger voice in Westminster. With two MPs having served as Highland councillors, we have MPs acutely aware of the challenges facing the Highland Council. We need to work together to get a better deal for Highland residents. It remains unclear who will form the next UK government, but we need to be ready to knock on ministers’ doors to raise Highland issues.’