Fife Council’s SNP group leader Peter Grant talked of a “seismic change” in Scottish politics as he was elected MP for Glenrothes with a majority of 13,897 ahead of Labour.
He overturned a Labour majority previously held by retired Labour MP Lindsay Roy.
Draped in a Saltire, and celebrating a 35% swing to the SNP from Labour, he said: “We’ve not seen a victory tonight. We’ve seen a seismic change in politics in Scotland.
“Thank you for the huge trust you have placed in me as a member of parliament. The size of the majority is being repeated across the length and breadth of the country.”
He added: “I’m still a bit stunned at the size of the victory. I had a feeling during polling I was in a good position.
“It felt good last year at the referendum and it didn’t happen so I was a bit nervous. There were things happening we weren’t picking up.
“By 10.30pm we knew we were winning and winning big. Opening the ballot boxes, we hadn’t seen anything like it. I needed a 20% swing to win it and got 35%.”
He praised his team of SNP volunteers.
He added: “This victory is their victory.”
Delighted to be elected your MP. Thank you for your trust.
— Peter Grant MP (@PeterGrantMP) May 8, 2015
He said the SNP were experiencing “seismic” gains across Scotland and he recognised the trust and faith being put in him by the electorate.
Defeated Labour candidate Melanie Ward, who refused to do media interviews afterwards, said: “I wish Peter all the best. I’m sure he will work hard.”
She said the Labour party’s work would continue.
Result:
Peter Grant (SNP) 28459
Jane Ann Liston (Liberal Democrat) 892
Alex Stewart-Clark (Conservative) 3685
Melanie Ward (Labour) 14562.
Total number of ballot papers 47,598.
Majority 13897.
Electrorate 69781, turnout 68.29%.