MAGSNIFICENT
Ferrier’s comeback seals a great election night for jubilant SNP
It was a clean sweep for the SNP in Thursday’s general election when they claimed both Hamilton seats. Margaret Ferrier kicked off a great night for the nationalists by taking back the Rutherglen and Hamilton West that she lost in 2017.
Angela Crawley, pictured left, was then returned to Westminster for neighbouring Lanark and Hamilton East. Ms Ferrier said: “As the newly re-elected voice I’m honoured and humbled to have been trusted once again by the people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West.”
A first Tory MP in Hamilton for 160 years didn’t arrive as the SNP comfortably held Lanark and Hamilton East.
It was the UK’S closest three-way marginal in 2017, but incumbent MP Angela Crawley increased her majority to 5187 over the Conservatives.
Scottish Borders council leader Shona Haslam marginally increased the Tories’ vote share but Labour’s Andrew Hilland saw his vote down by 11.6 per cent as he came third.
Lib Dem candidate Jane Pickard came fourth but increased their vote by 3.3 per cent.
After the result was declared, Ms Crawley said:
“Can I say to every single person who voted SNP, I will not take a single vote for granted.
“I will not take your vote for anything other than a mandate to continue the work that I started four and a half years ago; it has been one of the greatest honours and privileges.”
Mr Hilland congratulated Ms Crawley for winning the seat before criticising his party’s leadership.
He said: “I’d like to thank every single person who put their trust in Labour, it was a difficult election.
“It was an election fought on Brexit and independence and our party didn’t have a position on either.
“I still believe there is a place for Labour in Scotland and there is a place for a Labour party that fights for social justice and believes in solidarity both within Scotland and the United Kingdom and the European Union.”
Conservative candidate Ms Haslam added: “We increased our vote in this constituency which I think is fantastic on a night like this.
“All credit to Angela Crawley, she ran a great campaign and it’s been the best experience I’ve had in a very long time.”
Full result
Angela Crawley (SNP) 22,243 Shona Haslam (Con) 17,056 Andrew Hilland (Lab) 10,736 Jane Pickard (LD) 3037 Turnout: 68.3 per cent