The SNP are on track to win an outright majority at the Scottish Parliament after a calamitous election for both Scottish Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
As things stand this morning, they are on the brink of a historic victory. It is already clear that Alex Salmond will be returned at First Minister the only question now is how big the SNP’s win will be.
Mr Salmond said the SNP could now truly claim to be Scotland’s national party and that the optimism of his party’s campaign had struck a chord with voters.
He said, “We have reached out to every community across this country. I think it demonstrates that Scotland has outgrown negative campaigning. I hope after this result we’ll see an end to negativity and scaremongering in Scottish politics no more insults to the intelligence of the Scottish people.”
Five of Scotland’s eight regions are still to declare, as are constituencies in Fife and the Highlands. Fife’s results are expected around noon.
Labour leader Iain Gray scraped through in his own constituency seat by 151 votes, but many former Labour ministers were not able to stem the Nationalist tide.
Former health minister Andy Kerr, who many had tipped as a future Labour leader, lost his East Kilbride seat to Linda Fabiani, while former finance minister Tom McCabe lost Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse to Christina McKelvie.
Mr Gray admitted the election had been a disaster for his party.
“These are very bad results,” he said. “My heart goes out to colleagues who have lost their seats.”
Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott admitted his party’s coalition with the Conservatives at Westminster had caused many of his party’s supporters to vote SNP instead, while Tory leader Annabel Goldie admitted the SNP had enjoyed a “good night”.
Former Respect MP and Dundee councillor George Galloway failed in his bid to win a seat in the Scottish Parliament.For more election coverage, click here.