Trying to make sense of election result
Well, I wouldn’t want to go through a night like that ever again!
Two recounts and a majority of 21 is just about the most nervefraying way to spend an election evening.
But I am so pleased that we defied the odds and beat the swing in Perth and North Perthshire. I am also grateful to all the people of east Perthshire who put their trust in me for a fifth time and I repeat the pledge I made when I was first elected 16 years ago that I will represent all my constituents regardless of how they voted.
Back at Westminster we are all trying to make sense of the result and come to terms with one of the most indecisive contests of recent times.
The Tories sought this election to increase their majority, seeking to take advantage of what they saw as the leadership crisis within the Labour Party.
They have, instead, ended up humbled, wounded and uncertain, lacking even the basic empathy to respond decisively to the dreadful incident at the Grenfell Tower in London.
The important issue of negotiating Brexit has now started and internationally the UK is in a much diminished position.
No-one now knows what on earth is going to happen with the most important relationship issue of modern times.
The Prime Minister looks like a lame duck and there is the very real prospect that we may be going back to the polls again sooner rather than later.
Here, the Scottish Tories cleverly made the election in Scotland about anything other than Westminster-related issues, but it is unlikely that they will get away with pulling that off again.
Already there is a sense that Scottish voters feel duped by the Scots Tories as they witness the result of this smokescreen with this chaotic, callous Tory Government propped up by the appalling DUP, clinging on to power.
People expressing genuine concerns about Scotland’s constitutional future have found themselves endorsing a Westminster Conservative government lacking the basic ability to govern.
I sincerely hope that we never again have a general election in Scotland defined by nonWestminster issues that those of us sent to the House of Commons have no control over.
The Tories will never again do as well in Scotland as they did in this election. Let’s make sure that they never again dodge the Westminster issues that should always be centre stage in a Westminster election.
I hope the Tories do not drag you back to the polls another time, but such is the uncertainty created by their last gamble - anything is possible.